Tag:highway=turning_loop
 highway = turning_loop
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| Description |
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A widened area of a highway with a non-traversable island for turning around, often circular and at the end of a road. 
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| Group: highways |
| Used on these elements |
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| Status: de facto |
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A turning loop is an often circular road segment at the end of a road that is used for turning around, similar to a highway=turning_circle but with a non-traversable traffic island in the middle, which may be higher or lower than the surrounding roadway. Unlike a junction=roundabout or highway=mini_roundabout, only one road connects to it (other than driveways and service roads).
This tag was originally created because some mappers found it more convenient to map a node than a loop but were misusing highway=mini_roundabout. [1] The standard tile layer renders highway=turning_loop the same as highway=turning_circle. [2]
How to map
There are two methods for mapping a turning loop, either of which is valid:
- Tag the node at the end of a highway=* way with the highway=turning_loop tag. The node should be located in the middle of the traffic island.
- Draw a closed highway=* way around the traffic island and connect it to the main road, giving it the same name. If traffic is required to flow in a particular direction around the traffic island, add oneway=yes. This method is preferred for large turning circles, because navigation applications decide whether the user is on- or off-route based on their distance from the roadway. This method also makes it possible to accurately map features inside the loop, such as parking spaces, trees, or a flagpole.
If a turning loop has been mapped as a way, do not remap it as a simple node, as that would remove detail from the map.
Examples
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See also
- highway=turning_circle - similar in construction and purpose to a turning loop, but does not have a non-traversable island
- highway=mini_roundabout - traversable island at the junction of two or more highways
- junction=roundabout - used at the junction of two or more highways with a non-traversable island
- A comparison of circular and widened road features in OSM