Nothing has been misinterpreted - @NianticGiffard posts were clear.
His first post was
Hi everyone, thanks for the lively discussion on the thread.
To clarify, cycling route markers can be eligible as long as they are visually unique and distinguishable. Generic ones should be rejected.
then someone asked him
How do we determine what's generic?
to which he replied
As you are aware, we consider any marker on a hiking trail as acceptable since our goal is to have folks explore. Even a small marker on a trail will encourage players to cover more of the trail if there are more Wayspots on the way.
In the same sense, bike trails are similar but if you have a signboard for a bike lane (along with say a highway or road), that’s not as interesting/unique as compared to a signboard for a bike trail that takes players through a new route.
To take from this the important parts:
bike lane (along with say a highway or road) This mean an actual sign that says BIKE LANE.
compared to a signboard for a bike trail that takes players through a new route - This means a sign with arrows maybe its has destinations and distances to a location.
Even a small marker on a trail will encourage players to cover more of the trail if there are more Wayspots on the way. - This means a small marker could just be a disc with a picture on it or even just an arrow.
we consider any marker on a hiking trail as acceptable since our goal is to have folks explore - This mean we should consider any marker to be acceptable as it achieves Niantic's goal of getting people out to explore and exercise.
Dont worry i read it the same way as you. I just see it as if the bike lane is part of the road its a no. If the trail goes off into its own course its a yes. I dont know why people hate them so much but here we are 🤷♂️
If its a cycle lane as part of a sidewalk these are ok as its made for walking and cycling but still the same rules for the type of sign it can't be a sign just saying BIKE LANE.
A sidewalk is safe for people walking and biking so if the same type of signs show up on these cycle lanes as the trail why should they be rated any differently?
I would agree that the Sandringham route looks acceptable, not 5* but not reject.
The content is clearly unique to this specific point. You have to set content apart from material used.
It is at a junction in the paths, so needed to ensure people follow the correct route. A test of this in my mind is, if a trail marker was not present you could potentially take the wrong route.
It is on a dedicated footpath /cycle way safe access
It has the symbol for named trail NCN route 1 - which at 635 miles, is long distance. Sustrans promotes the red square with the number as appropriate symbols for the route.
Sandringham Railway Path (presumably following an old railway line) - not clear if this a promoted route in its own right or if it simply names this stretch. Would warrant further info.
It does look cluttered
There is other more generic information on the signs in the picture such as hospital 1.5 miles but that should not detract from the information provided to the people following the 2 named trails. The information was probably put on 1 sign to keep down costs and stop it being more cluttered - lower environmental impact.
i agree. The term bike lane may be a north american term. But a “bike lane” is generally a lane in traffic that is specifically designated for bicycle riders. So they travel with moving vehicles. Which is what I believe nianticgriffard was meaning in the explanation. Nianticgriffard also then says if it is part of a trail through a new route which i believe means a trail that is not part of a road way. However people will argue it until the end 😂
“In the same sense, bike trails are similar but if you have a signboard for a bike lane (along with say a highway or road), that’s not as interesting/unique as compared to a signboard for a bike trail that takes players through a new route.”
We get it. You don’t like trail markers and You will essentially reject perfectly fine distinguishable identifyable trail markers based on the fact the colour is the same as others. When the appeal system comes out don’t cry when your acc gets hit from rejecting so many perfectly fine nominations 🤦🏻
Thats the kind I wouldnt say are acceptable, I'd say those are the generic road sign ones, thats just my opinion though. To me it would need to be the actual marker
I still think you are wrong to focus on this point though, his next reply made it clear that they can still be generic, if they are promoting exploration, so how you explained to the first one I replied to is the better way of looking at it
It's more that it looks like a generic road/path sign. When I think of the bike markers, I'd be thinking of the trail number on its own, not on a general direction sign
I am not familiar with these signs, but I assume they are a combination of a directional sign and a trail marker. The top and bottom ones have a (trail?) number on them and what appears to be a trail name. I wouldn't consider those generic. The middle one doesn't have all that. I would consider that one generic.
@sogNinjaman-ING or anyone else who does not consider these at all acceptable it would be helpful if could you post a picture of trail markers you do find acceptable so I can see what is different.
The number is the cycle route network. You mostly get either the sign like that, which to me is the equivalent of a road sign or general direction sign, but you also get the cycle network signs on their own, those I would be more inclined towards ad they are the actual network on its own rathe than "network is that a way to get into it"
Since we have a sign pointing left and a sign pointing right, both with the number 1 and the name "Sandringham Railway Path" on them, I would assume that sign is already located on the trail, and it tells cyclists how to continue on the trail.
It is a marker located on the trail. The Sandringham railway path is only a small part of route 1 locally. It runs from King's Lynn all along the Norfolk coast for over 100 miles.
The reason for this title
Sandringham Railway Path/Cycleway this is the location of the POI
NNCC KES this part stands for North Norfolk Coast Cycleway. The KES part makes it more identifiable for locals.
NCN R1 This stands for National Cycle Network Route 1
I would argue you got those the wrong way around. Whilst I personally still don't see the merit in either of these, the second one is at least used only as a cycling route marker (albeit a very generic looking one), whereas the first one is a generic road sign that happens to include cycling route details, like the one you posted that I've quoted below.
Generic is a word even Niantic is starting to move away from. its fairly easy to tell the difference between a sign made for cars and main roads and a sign that's on a path for people walking and cycling.
I didnt mean that specific one, I was more meaning general direction signs like that one, as they are essentially bog standard road signs/street signs. We don't want to start doi g things like those ones because then we have the system clutered with any old direction sign and people will start accepting those as they will have seen similar ones accepted
To be accepted signs would have to be only for pedestrians and cyclists. These lead people exploring down a route which Niantic has clearly said they want.
Beware, your map will be flooded and some will try to get each and ever marker in there, no matter what - looking at distance from other "candidates", cells to make sure the pokestop goes live etc)
Here's an example that poppud up this morning. The nominator placed marker away from the actual location because it's are too close to another marker which they probably submitted too.
Then call a marker in a node network "route 77" whereas it's just the direction towarde node 77 - if you turn around, in this case you'll be on "route 23". There is no such thing as Route 77
In the picture below
On the red dot there is a similar marker (towards node 23)
The yellow dot is the actual location of the nominated marker
In the below picture you can see the streetview situation: One marker on the left, nominated marker on the right, pin way off (by the sat view you see it's 2 trees away, so not the "I took the picture from here"-away)
Some will try and they already do with other POI. We as reviewers should be checking things like this as to catch these players out. I hope this post gets talked about in the next AMA so we can get the clarification needed to clear up and can and what cannot be acceptable.
I thought a NCN marker would be the worst type of sub I would see from you but you’ve managed worse. A drainage sign 😂 what a “point of interest” that would be
Comments
These will just keep getting resubbed its not a problem. They promote exploration and exercise.
They can just keep being rejected then. Also no problem.
Eventually the correct reviewers will see them and they will pass its no problem.
If people keep misinterpreting what Niantic staff say and spreading misinformation, I’m sure they will.
Nothing has been misinterpreted - @NianticGiffard posts were clear.
His first post was
Hi everyone, thanks for the lively discussion on the thread.
To clarify, cycling route markers can be eligible as long as they are visually unique and distinguishable. Generic ones should be rejected.
then someone asked him
How do we determine what's generic?
to which he replied
As you are aware, we consider any marker on a hiking trail as acceptable since our goal is to have folks explore. Even a small marker on a trail will encourage players to cover more of the trail if there are more Wayspots on the way.
In the same sense, bike trails are similar but if you have a signboard for a bike lane (along with say a highway or road), that’s not as interesting/unique as compared to a signboard for a bike trail that takes players through a new route.
To take from this the important parts:
Dont worry i read it the same way as you. I just see it as if the bike lane is part of the road its a no. If the trail goes off into its own course its a yes. I dont know why people hate them so much but here we are 🤷♂️
If its a cycle lane as part of a sidewalk these are ok as its made for walking and cycling but still the same rules for the type of sign it can't be a sign just saying BIKE LANE.
A sidewalk is safe for people walking and biking so if the same type of signs show up on these cycle lanes as the trail why should they be rated any differently?
I would agree that the Sandringham route looks acceptable, not 5* but not reject.
The content is clearly unique to this specific point. You have to set content apart from material used.
It is at a junction in the paths, so needed to ensure people follow the correct route. A test of this in my mind is, if a trail marker was not present you could potentially take the wrong route.
It is on a dedicated footpath /cycle way safe access
It has the symbol for named trail NCN route 1 - which at 635 miles, is long distance. Sustrans promotes the red square with the number as appropriate symbols for the route.
Sandringham Railway Path (presumably following an old railway line) - not clear if this a promoted route in its own right or if it simply names this stretch. Would warrant further info.
It does look cluttered
There is other more generic information on the signs in the picture such as hospital 1.5 miles but that should not detract from the information provided to the people following the 2 named trails. The information was probably put on 1 sign to keep down costs and stop it being more cluttered - lower environmental impact.
i agree. The term bike lane may be a north american term. But a “bike lane” is generally a lane in traffic that is specifically designated for bicycle riders. So they travel with moving vehicles. Which is what I believe nianticgriffard was meaning in the explanation. Nianticgriffard also then says if it is part of a trail through a new route which i believe means a trail that is not part of a road way. However people will argue it until the end 😂
“In the same sense, bike trails are similar but if you have a signboard for a bike lane (along with say a highway or road), that’s not as interesting/unique as compared to a signboard for a bike trail that takes players through a new route.”
NianticGiffard Posts: 6,093Niantic › admin September 9
Hi everyone, thanks for the lively discussion on the thread.
To clarify, cycling route markers can be eligible as long as they are visually unique and distinguishable. Generic ones should be rejected.
@NianticGiffard @NianticDanbocat
How do we feel about this list? acceptable or not? I feel these all have more reason to be acceptable than a Dog Waste Bin.
We get it. You don’t like trail markers and You will essentially reject perfectly fine distinguishable identifyable trail markers based on the fact the colour is the same as others. When the appeal system comes out don’t cry when your acc gets hit from rejecting so many perfectly fine nominations 🤦🏻
Thats the kind I wouldnt say are acceptable, I'd say those are the generic road sign ones, thats just my opinion though. To me it would need to be the actual marker
They aren’t on the road they are on a actual cycle path. I guess we need another response from @NianticGiffard
Thats how i see it, or, if the trail crosses a road, those entrances, like the example I gave way back in this thread
I still think you are wrong to focus on this point though, his next reply made it clear that they can still be generic, if they are promoting exploration, so how you explained to the first one I replied to is the better way of looking at it
It's more that it looks like a generic road/path sign. When I think of the bike markers, I'd be thinking of the trail number on its own, not on a general direction sign
I am not familiar with these signs, but I assume they are a combination of a directional sign and a trail marker. The top and bottom ones have a (trail?) number on them and what appears to be a trail name. I wouldn't consider those generic. The middle one doesn't have all that. I would consider that one generic.
@sogNinjaman-ING or anyone else who does not consider these at all acceptable it would be helpful if could you post a picture of trail markers you do find acceptable so I can see what is different.
The number is the cycle route network. You mostly get either the sign like that, which to me is the equivalent of a road sign or general direction sign, but you also get the cycle network signs on their own, those I would be more inclined towards ad they are the actual network on its own rathe than "network is that a way to get into it"
Since we have a sign pointing left and a sign pointing right, both with the number 1 and the name "Sandringham Railway Path" on them, I would assume that sign is already located on the trail, and it tells cyclists how to continue on the trail.
This is where it is located: https://www.google.be/maps/@52.7549888,0.4154629,3a,49y,308.46h,95.43t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipPggcNqj6p_FI1ojjBeJRmKJ9Z0aRYHGOw0iuU7!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPggcNqj6p_FI1ojjBeJRmKJ9Z0aRYHGOw0iuU7%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi-21.54551-ya242.34813-ro21.160242-fo100!7i5376!8i2688
This is a map of the trail:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/england/norfolk/sandringham-railway-path?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map
The marker is clearly located on the trail. It is not "that way to get into it".
It is a marker located on the trail. The Sandringham railway path is only a small part of route 1 locally. It runs from King's Lynn all along the Norfolk coast for over 100 miles.
The reason for this title
Sandringham Railway Path/Cycleway this is the location of the POI
NNCC KES this part stands for North Norfolk Coast Cycleway. The KES part makes it more identifiable for locals.
NCN R1 This stands for National Cycle Network Route 1
I would argue you got those the wrong way around. Whilst I personally still don't see the merit in either of these, the second one is at least used only as a cycling route marker (albeit a very generic looking one), whereas the first one is a generic road sign that happens to include cycling route details, like the one you posted that I've quoted below.
The one you quoted below is actually along a cycle route leading cyclists and walkers to other parts of the route no where near a road.
The number in the red boxes on these blue signs is the trail number just to let you know.
Ok so the quoted one is no where near a road and they have "Sandringham railway path" with cycle route numbers on the showing the trail - https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/england/norfolk/sandringham-railway-path
Generic is a word even Niantic is starting to move away from. its fairly easy to tell the difference between a sign made for cars and main roads and a sign that's on a path for people walking and cycling.
I didnt mean that specific one, I was more meaning general direction signs like that one, as they are essentially bog standard road signs/street signs. We don't want to start doi g things like those ones because then we have the system clutered with any old direction sign and people will start accepting those as they will have seen similar ones accepted
To be accepted signs would have to be only for pedestrians and cyclists. These lead people exploring down a route which Niantic has clearly said they want.
Beware, your map will be flooded and some will try to get each and ever marker in there, no matter what - looking at distance from other "candidates", cells to make sure the pokestop goes live etc)
Here's an example that poppud up this morning. The nominator placed marker away from the actual location because it's are too close to another marker which they probably submitted too.
Then call a marker in a node network "route 77" whereas it's just the direction towarde node 77 - if you turn around, in this case you'll be on "route 23". There is no such thing as Route 77
In the picture below
In the below picture you can see the streetview situation: One marker on the left, nominated marker on the right, pin way off (by the sat view you see it's 2 trees away, so not the "I took the picture from here"-away)
And for this example: yes, cars and tractors are allowed to drive on this road
The one who made this nomination: please step forward, I presume you're reading along in this topic...
Some will try and they already do with other POI. We as reviewers should be checking things like this as to catch these players out. I hope this post gets talked about in the next AMA so we can get the clarification needed to clear up and can and what cannot be acceptable.
I thought a NCN marker would be the worst type of sub I would see from you but you’ve managed worse. A drainage sign 😂 what a “point of interest” that would be