I’ve been trying to add an official hiking trail to the map using the official trail markers. It’s the “red cross” trail by Schwäbischer Albverein, no relation to the Red Cross NGO, they just use symbols for their trails.
While submitting them in areas with trees works relatively ok (as long as the crop is close enough), I’m having problems submitting those affixed to lamp poles and other structures that aren’t trees. I tried a closer crop thinking it would fix my issues, but ML still rejected.
Interestingly, I’ve had success with one of these teail markers affixed to a sign, but it has been pointed out to me that there are still trees in the background of that photo.
Title, description, and supporting are more or less the same for all of these, usually following this formula:
Title: Trail Marker “red cross” hiking trail at [location]
Description: This trail marker at [location] marks the route of the red cross hiking trail by Schwäbischer Albverein
Supporting: Fulfills the criteria exercise and explore. Link confirming the appearance of the trail marker [link], link to the route [OpenStreetmap link].
Does anyone have any experience with getting these types of trail markers in semi-urban areas through ML ? I don’t want to burn my appeals on these but I think they would be great additions to the map.
On a side note, I also submitted this directional sign installed by the same hiking association which made it through ML but was rejected by reviewers despite functioning as a trail marker (red cross symbol is on the signs since this is specifically a sign for the hiking trails. Has there been any clarification if this is considered a trail marker (eligible) or a directional sign (ineligible)?
Yes I do know the clarification, thank you though! My confusion is if these count as trail markers since they are specifically installed for the trail, since they show the two directions of the trail rather than just being general directions to points of interest
If the “plus” symbols on those direction markers are trail marker symbols, then this is eligible as it is a trail marker showing where the trail goes, not just a direction sign. It’s a subtle point, but it makes a difference to what the sign represents.
Your problem is getting the plus symbol recognised. Is it being rejected by the ML system? (showing the text from the rejection email/s would help clarify this).
So the trail markers themselves are getting rejected by ML when they are not on trees, the directional sign was rejected by local reviewers (not Niantic). Hence my question how to make sure ML doesn’t reject them in more urban environments.
That’s a hard one. It’s likely you’re onto something with the difference being lamp-post vs something more. Unfortunately, I don’t see anything obvious for getting these past ML, since I can see why ML is rejecting them.
Appealing is one option - each appeal renews after 15 days and you have two. (Which means max 4 appeals per month approx.)
Repositioning yourself so there are trees in the background of the lamp-posts is the other option. Ironically, the normal advice is to remove vegetation from the background of images for the purposes of getting decent submissions past ML!
The first was allowed into voting and rejected by the community, the 2nd was rejected by ML. Trails are endlessly frustrating and always seem to be 50/50 as to whether they are accepted or rejected, but appeals are consistent
I guess the first has the hedge next to it, so lots of green. Maybe thats why the ML didnt kick it out
same frustrating situation here in germany. I never had a trail marker rejected by ML, its always someone out of the community that does reject them. I can literally see when they review and theres 20 minutes where the rejections come in. When i resubmit the stuff just flies thru and get accepted.
That is weird, I do a lot of trail markers on lamp posts and the problem is the community rejecting them, not the ML. It does look like an ML bug to me, probably misinterpreting the red cross as meaning something else.
Appealing is probably the best option as I think that is the most likely way the team can see there’s an issue with the AI. I do wish though that if you have an appeal accepted then you should be credited with another appeal..
I did also suspect that it was the red cross confusing ML, but the fact it got accepted in other locations makes me think it can distinguish between the trail markers and something related to emergency medicine
Well for future reference, ML does have an easier time recognizing these if it sees tree branches in the background. Unfortunately my community does not know what a trail marker is or how to use street view .
Well, looks like I am part of your community. And I approve these “red cross” trail markers. They are very clearly keeping hikers on the correct path and promote outdoor activity.
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