I’ve been observing heavy discrepancies between the real-world layout of houses and buildings in Taiwan (Taoyuan) and their representation on Google Maps. In the US (MN), Google Maps’ accuracy is almost spot-on, likely due to the incorporation of data sources such as city planning documents, and I’m here to ask: Can we replicate this level of detail in Taiwan?
I’m a level 5 Local Guide, and I’ve seen the potential impact our contributions could make. But why not take take it a step further if Google Maps could allow us to submit GIS (Geographic Information Systems) data or city planning documents into Google Maps?
This will very much so dramatically improve the accuracy and detail of maps in Taiwan; as it stands, it seems that houses and buildings are identified through satellite imagery and roughly mapped using machine learning.
I understand the complexity involved, from the legality of obtaining/using such documents to the technical integration with Google Maps; I stand as a Taiwanese-American, with the incentive, and likely the legal avenues, to request for public documents from the Taoyuan Municipal Government to make this happen, but I’m unsure how to reach the Google Maps team regarding this.
If any of you local guides out here has had experience with this, please leave your input below, this could be a game-changer for Maps accuracy in our region.
It sure is possible to do this. Just not for Local Guides. But your local authorities can.
Google Maps has a program enabling local and regional partners to upload their data directly and automatically. Please learn more here: Google Maps Content Providers
Examples include municipalities and public transport providers.
I did find the Google Maps Content Providers program for local authorities to contribute data directly to Google Maps.
My focus is more on the role of a Local Guide trying to bridge the gap, especially given the reluctance of local bodies in Taiwan to engage in digital initiatives.
In my experience across cybersecurity, web development, and IT infrastructure engineering, it’s often challenging to motivate Taiwanese government entities toward modernizing tech-based projects. They generally avoid taking responsibility, and mapping enhancements likely fall into this category too.
This has me thinking about whether starting a nonprofit could be the way forward. Being a nonprofit seems to align with Google’s requirements for data contributors and might give me the leverage needed to encourage local authorities in Taiwan to collaborate, acting as a liaison with the goal of providing accurate GIS data to the Google Maps team, but I’d love to hear from someone who’s been down this road before jumping into something as substantial as founding a nonprofit.
@ErmesT , perhaps you could share how you managed to achieve this in the past? I’m all ears!
(and thanks again, Morten, for steering this convo)
From my NGO career, I would like to share a few experiences that might help you.
Please don’t share your private and negative opinions about public servants. It will not help you and your mission.
Instead, try an approach where you seek out open-minded and talented public employees and help them understand and see the potential in becoming successful in making helpful changes for their community and bosses. This should be done in a non-threatening way. Collaboration and growth is important in all organizations and workplaces.
You don’t own the public data, and Google is always very careful not to steal data. So establishing an NGO is unlikely to be a viable path.
I live in a country with a lot of trust between societal silos like Academia, The public sector, The private sector, and the NGO sector. And this can be very difficult in other countries for many reasons. But if you can get the collaboration in flow magic can happen when the different sectors realize the potential synergies.
As far as I know, and according to this reply given by @Flash in How to add a building shape / contour to Google Maps “Polygon editing was turned off while Map Maker was available due to large scale abuse of the feature. At the same time Google was moving over to a system where building polygons are added by algorithms that scan the aerials. Addition of missing polygons should occur the next time the area is updated by those algorithms, which could be some time away.”
In any case, I have built a collaborative relationship with the local authorities in the area of the 2016 earthquake in Central Italy, with the aim of helping them in the recovery of tourism. They provided official maps of all the trails in the area, and gave me permission to upload them on their behalf.
