Optimized route computation utilizing OpenStreetMap pedestrian data network
In the heart of Tartu, Estonia, known for its vibrant atmosphere and cultural richness, a popular meeting point for students and locals alike is the iconic "The Kissing Students" sculpture situated in the Town Hall Square of the Old Town. This article will outline a method to determine the walking distances from this landmark to various cafes in the city, using the Shortest Path algorithm on the OpenStreetMap (OSM) walking network.
First, we need to find the exact coordinates for the "The Kissing Students" sculpture. These can be obtained from OpenStreetMap or related Geographic Information System (GIS) sources.
Next, we will map the walking network of Tartu from OpenStreetMap. This network should include intersections, points, and walkable paths, streets, all suitable for pedestrian routing.
Following this, we will query OSM data for all amenities tagged as `cafe` or equivalent in the Tartu area, with their respective nodes or coordinates.
With the walking network and cafe locations identified, we will build a weighted graph, where nodes represent intersections or points, and edges are sidewalk or path segments weighted by distance or estimated walking time.
Next, we will map "The Kissing Students" and each cafe to the nearest nodes in the OSM graph, serving as start and target points in routing.
Finally, we will use Dijkstra's algorithm or A* (A-star) on the walking graph to compute the shortest walking path from the "The Kissing Students" node to each cafe node. The total distance along the path will be calculated, providing an accurate measure of how far each cafe is via walkable routes, not straight-line distances.
Tools like OSMnx, a Python library, can facilitate downloading network data, identifying amenities, applying shortest path algorithms, and visualizing results. By following these steps, we can quantify walking distances to Tartu's cafes, making it easier for visitors and locals to plan their journeys around the city.
Mobility in Tartu is smooth, with city bikes, Bolt scooters, or walking being popular options. Tartu offers a comfortable city campus to international students, with most places being reachable by walking. The application of this function results in a GeoDataFrame with 43 routes, providing a comprehensive view of the city's walking network.
The histogram shows that cafes are concentrated in the first 1.000m of walking, suggesting a 20-minute walk to some cafes, with exceptions. Tartu is shown to be a walking city, with a high concentration of cafes within 500m to 1.000m from the city center.
The data used in this analysis is licensed under Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbl) or attribution license. For those interested in reviewing the walking network map, it can be found in the notebook of the story. Tartu, with its abundance of cafes, bars, restaurants, cultural events, and green areas, is a city worth exploring on foot.
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- For those preferring sustainable living, Tartu offers a variety of budget-travel options, such as city bikes and Bolt scooters, providing a more eco-friendly way to explore the city.
- In addition to the vibrant lifestyle, Tartu's home-and-garden shops offer unique plants and resources for those interested in adopting a sustainable-living approach.
- For technology enthusiasts, the University of Tartu, a prominent institution in data-and-cloud-computing research, serves as a focal point for collaboration and innovation in the city.
- Adventure-travelers and cultural-travelers alike will find loads to discover in Tartu, from the rich history of the Old Town to exciting outdoor activities in the surrounding regions.
- Some locals have even turned their passion for sports into a venture in sports-betting, creating an engaging scene for sports fans in the city.
