The data is supplied as a link and node model similar to that used for the OS MasterMap Highways Networks products.
Route Links represent the general alignment of roads, tracks, paths and rights of way and Route Nodes are used to record the connectivity between links explicitly. A Route feature, that records collections of links or link sets, is used to record recognised named routes as single features.
OS Detailed Path Network contains three feature types (Route, RouteLink and RouteNode); the product's structure is demonstrated in Figure 1.
A Route is a feature representing a named entity that forms a recognised and signed route that the public can use. For example, a National Trail, such as the Pennine Way, or one of Scotland’s Great Trails, such as the West Highland Way.
A route can include references to different types of RouteLink, for example, a route may include sections of paths, tracks and public roads to create a continuous named trail.
The Route feature is not included in the vector tiles format, as these would directly overlay and replicate the RouteLink features referenced by a single route.
See Route for more details.
A RouteLink is a feature that represents all or part of a road, track, path or right of way that can be used by pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.
See RouteLink for more details.
A RouteNode is a feature at the end of one or more RouteLinks. It allows software to quickly identify connections by using references to the unique identifier. The RouteNode also indicates:
The junction of three or more RouteLink features.
A change in real-world information (for example, the route type) that requires the creation of two RouteLink features with different attribution.
The start or end of a RouteLink feature.
See RouteNode for more details.