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Field Mappers

The Mapper Page was developed to provide a simpler, more intuitive mapping experience for field mappers.

Prerequisites

Device Requirements

Verify that your mobile device meets the minimum specifications required for field mapping:

  • RAM: 3GB
  • Storage: Generally 1GB should be enough, but if using many large basemaps, more may be required.

  • Operating System: Android 10 or higher for the best security and performance.

    Tip

    Go to the file manager or "My Files" on your mobile device to see the device storage.

    Check your phone settings for information about device settings such as RAM and processors.

Install FieldTM

  • We recommend using Chrome-based browsers on your mobile device to access the Field-TM platform for optimal performance.
  • It is best to install the web application (not via the app store, but through your web browser). This can be done through the browser menu, often written as 'Add to home screen': image

Part (A): Setup For Mapping

Step 1: Access the Mapper Page

  • Option 1: Click on the project cards from your mobile device
  • Option 2: Go to https://mapper.fmtm.hotosm.org/<project_id> to open the Mapper Page for a specific project.

Note

This functionality is designed for mappers in the field, so it is recommended to use a mobile device to access it. If you use a computer browser, you will be redirected to the project details page instead of mapper's page.

Warning

Here you may log into the website to be attributed with you edits.

If you do not log in, a generic account will be used to record your edits and data collection.

Step 2: Load Imagery (optional)

  • You can load the base imagery by clicking on offline mode option (second tab on bottom navigation bar).
  • Choose the layer you want to load and click on Show on Map to visualise the layer on map.

  • The layer can also be stored for offline mapping by clicking Store Offline.

    offline-pmtiles

Tip

This step should probably be done prior to leaving for the field!

The files can be a few 100MB in size.

MBTiles are used for loading into ODK Collect. PMTiles are used for navigating in Field-TM.

If you encounter issues with the base imagery, contact your project manager.

Step 3: Install The Custom ODK Collect Mobile App

Note

It is recommended to not use ODK Collect in most, but instead use the automatically configured WebForms.

If you must use ODK Collect, then configuration via QRCodes will be required.

  • The first time you load the project, you should be prompted to download the custom ODK .apk from the sidebar.

  • Once downloaded, you should install the custom ODK Collect application.

    highlighted-sidebar download-custom-odk

Tip

If you already have ODK Collect installed, you may have to uninstall it first.

You may have to enable installing from unknown sources in your device settings too.

Step 4: Configure ODK Collect (once only)

  • Option 1: Scan the QR code displayed on the Mapper page using the custom ODK Collect mobile application.
  • Option 2: Download the QR code and import it into ODK Collect to load the project. Follow the steps below:
    1. Open ODK Collect.
    2. Click the project name in the top right corner.
    3. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal dots).
    4. Select Import QR Code.
    5. Browse to the downloaded QR image and load the project.

Tip

For a demonstration of the process above, click the i info icon on the QR Code tab of the mapper page.

Part (B): Mapping Features

Before starting to map features, ensure that geolocation is enabled. This will allow you to access your live location, making navigation easier.

You may either map an existing feature OR map a new feature.

Select An Existing Feature via ODK Collect

In most cases we are submitting a survey about a feature that already exists.

  • Click on a task area: the features within will be displayed.
  • Now click on a feature you wish to map: a popup will appear.
  • Now click 'Map Feature In ODK': ODK Collect will open, with the feature pre-selected in the survey (no need to open the ODK map!).
  • If the feature you are trying to map is further than 50m away, you will be prompted with warning message to ensure you made the correct selection.
  • Complete the survey and submit.

IMG_20250109_160742

Tip

You may manually click 'Start Mapping' for a task area.

However, the task will be automatically locked for you if you map a feature within the task area.

Note

The task area will change colour based on it's status.

The legend explaining these colours can be opened on the map:

legend

Select An Existing Feature via WebForms

Webform is the new functionality added on FMTM, where mappers can directly fill up and upload form via same browser without installing ODK Collect mobile application.

  • Click on a task area: the features within will be displayed.
  • Now click on a feature you wish to map: a popup will appear.
  • Click on 'Collect Data' which will open the form directly on the same browser.

  • Complete the survey and Upload.

    image

Note

Currently, we need to have stable internet connection to upload the survey. We expect offline saving of form on local and sync when internet is available functionality on next release.

Mapping A New Feature

Sometimes the feature does not exist on the map yet!

  • Click on a task area: a popup will display.
  • At the top right, there is a button Map New Feature.
  • Click on the map to create a new geometry.
  • Once drawn, accept the dialog to confirm the geometry is correct.
  • If you are using ODK Collect, you will be redirected to ODK Collect to fill out the survey data for the newly created feature. -If you are using WebForms used for that project, form will be opened on the same browser and you can fill out the survey for that feature. IMG_20250109_160816

Note

The task area will change colour based on it's status.

Consult the project manager to determine if the feature should be a polygon (drawing all corners of the feature in ODK) or point (collecting only the GPS point of the feature).

Confirm the exact point (gate location, right corner, center of the building) and GPS accuracy required for consistency and quality data.

Repeat The Process

  • After ODK collect based form submission, you have to get back to Field-TM and select the another feature for mapping.
  • After WebForm based form submission, you will automatically get back to mapper's page where you can select another feature for mapping.

  • You also also have to click the Sync Status button to see the feature turn green.

    sync-status-button

  • Select another feature to map (repeat from step 5)!

Note

You need internet access to update the feature status.

In a future release, this process will be handled seamlessly without user interaction.

Working Offline

It is possible to work entirely offline, once FieldTM has been loaded while internet is available.

To achieve this:

  • Visit https://mapper.fmtm.hotosm.org once from the phone you wish to map with.
    • This will cache the 12 most recent projects on your device.
    • To cache a different set of projects, use the search or next/previous page functionality.
  • For best results, 'Install' the webpage on your device, creating a shortcut on your home screen.
  • Click on the project you wish to map offline.
    • The project details will be stored entirely offline.
    • You may also go to the 'Offline' tab, to download additional offline data such as base map imagery.
  • Upon opening the installed app, you should be able to browse the cached versions of your projects (note they will not update while offline).
  • Submissions can be made while offline & they will since when connectivity is restored.

Upcoming improvements

Refer the milestone: https://github.com/hotosm/fmtm/milestone/49