[HN Gopher] Open Infrastructure Map
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       Open Infrastructure Map
        
       Author : throwup238
       Score  : 107 points
       Date   : 2024-01-23 20:20 UTC (2 hours ago)
        
 (HTM) web link (openinframap.org)
 (TXT) w3m dump (openinframap.org)
        
       | mike_d wrote:
       | This is just power lines tagged in Open Street Maps. [Edit: as
       | comments noted power is just the default view, this is still just
       | human curated OSM data]
       | 
       | If you want telecom https://www.infrapedia.com/ is the go to
       | source, but it requires a login. Carriers generally don't want
       | their route maps publicly accessible unless you are committed to
       | regularly updating them.
        
         | SparkyMcUnicorn wrote:
         | "Power" is the only layer enabled by default, but there are
         | additional layers for Telecom, Oil & Gas, Water, and Solar.
         | 
         | Looks like openinframap has more towers, but infrapedia has
         | some other data that's missing from openinfra.
        
         | rifty wrote:
         | It's not just power lines, there is a layers options where you
         | can also show oil/gas pipelines, telecom lines, and solar
         | generation.
        
       | FredPret wrote:
       | Love this! Would be even better if there were labels / wiki links
       | on the infrastructure. For instance, there's a huge pipeline
       | across Asia, and I'd like to know what it's called,
        
         | guwop wrote:
         | Zoom in mate!
        
         | Saris wrote:
         | I find OSM maps in general have trouble showing labels, you
         | often have to zoom in an extreme amount to see them, and you
         | usually can't even click on features to see what they are.
        
           | Rygian wrote:
           | "Layers icon-> Map Data" to turn on the clickable OSM data
           | display.
        
       | swarfield wrote:
       | Should we be marking key infrastructure, utilities don't
       | distribute this information for a reason.
        
         | aussiethebob wrote:
         | Yes we should. Security through obscurity is a myth
        
           | swarfield wrote:
           | Doh, thinking about it through that lens makes it obvious!
        
           | Freak_NL wrote:
           | And any above ground stuff is rather visible in any case, and
           | mapped extensively on OpenStreetMap.
        
         | mike_d wrote:
         | People used to get really upset about such datasets because
         | terrorism/vandalism/etc. But eventually more sane opinions
         | prevailed as attackers don't use this type of data - they
         | either have insider knowledge already or just drive around to
         | scope out targets.
         | 
         | DHS now publishes a ton of open datasets to help with disaster
         | planning, emergency response, and infrastructure hardening.
         | https://hifld-geoplatform.opendata.arcgis.com/search?collect...
        
           | swarfield wrote:
           | :+1:
        
           | chaps wrote:
           | Used to?
           | 
           | A lot of that still happens, just instead of "terrorism",
           | it's "crime". FOIA requests for locations of camera, alpr,
           | and other massively used and unaudited surveillance equipment
           | are routinely denied because it will "allow criminals to
           | circumvent". It's all silly and benchmark moving.
        
             | mike_d wrote:
             | Yes, used to. 15 years ago trying to publish research on
             | critical infrastructure vulnerabilities would get you a
             | visit from the FBI (ask me how I know). Now you get invited
             | to DC to present it in person and your remediation
             | suggestions are taken seriously.
        
               | electric_mayhem wrote:
               | Ok, mike_d, but how do you know?
        
               | sam_lowry_ wrote:
               | Second that!
        
         | lcnPylGDnU4H9OF wrote:
         | I get the feeling an adversary who wants to know where they can
         | cause the most mayhem of this nature already does. I think a
         | map is ultimately unnecessary anyway; I'd guess it's more
         | appealing to sabotage remotely using computer networking
         | vulnerabilities than to risk a field agent.
        
         | mikece wrote:
         | I rather appreciate knowing where the key electrical
         | substations are in my area: helps me to understand exactly who
         | can screw with things and where they would do it -- which makes
         | me pay closer attention when I pass by substations and see
         | someone lurking about. Not knowing that the location is
         | critical I wouldn't think twice about someone loitering;
         | knowing the location is sensitive and critical makes me look
         | twice, take an active interest, and perhaps phone in a
         | suspicious activity reports. Some people while about this
         | information enabling terrorists: I think it enables all of us
         | to open our eyes and protect our own interests.
        
       | guwop wrote:
       | So much geo stuff on HN today! hallelujah
        
       | sfblah wrote:
       | Why are there underwater power lines connecting Ireland and the
       | UK, for example?
        
         | Symbiote wrote:
         | To import and export electricity between the two islands.
        
       | cozzyd wrote:
       | I see some missing HV lines I know about, is there an easy way to
       | add them?
        
       | dang wrote:
       | Related:
       | 
       |  _Open Infrastructure Map_ -
       | https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33340983 - Oct 2022 (2
       | comments)
       | 
       |  _Open Infrastructure Map_ -
       | https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29948473 - Jan 2022 (45
       | comments)
       | 
       |  _Open Infrastructure Map_ -
       | https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20523882 - July 2019 (4
       | comments)
        
       | takipkasmamedia wrote:
       | Thanks baby
        
       | raggles wrote:
       | oh dear, I wish I hadn't looked. So many of the power lines in my
       | area have the wrong voltage, and zone substations with incorrect
       | spellings. Now I feel obligated to fix it.
        
       | jdlyga wrote:
       | If you've never been to the northeastern US (Boston, New York,
       | Philly, DC), it's like an entirely different country from most of
       | the rest of the US. The map really speaks volumes.
        
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       (page generated 2024-01-23 23:00 UTC)