Reference numbers/names of parcel lockers

[sjorford]

General

Affected tag(s) to be modified/added: ref
Question asked: What's the reference number of this parcel locker?

Amazon lockers have short names (e.g. josh) which are clearly visible on the front of the locker. Other brands may not have visible reference numbers/names - InPost lockers seem to be just identified by the adjacent shop/amenity.

Checklist

Checklist for quest suggestions (see guidelines):

• 🚧 To be added tag is established and has a useful purpose
• 🤔 Any answer the user can give must have an equivalent tagging (Quest should not reappear to other users when solved by one)
• 🐿️ Easily answerable by any pedestrian from the outside but a survey is necessary
• 💤 Not an overwhelming percentage of quests have the same answer (No spam)
• 🕓 Applies to a reasonable number of map data (Worth the effort)

Ideas for implementation

Element selection: amenity=parcel_locker without ref or ref:signed=no

Metadata needed:

Proposed UI: Could be added to the existing quest that asks for post boxes etc.

[matkoniecz]

is there a list somewhere which parcel boxes can be assumed to have such identifiers?

[HolgerJeromin]

Amazon and DHL in germany does have them

[westnordost]

What is the useful purpose of recording such ref codes? Where is this data used?

For which brands of parcel lockers can it be assumed that they have (publicly visible) reference codes?

How to look for reference codes? Is it just some number somewhere on locker or is it labeled "reference code: xxxxxx", maybe even part of the workflow when posting / getting a parcel?

[matkoniecz]

What is the useful purpose of recording such ref codes? Where is this data used?

I guess that they can be used to double check that you are at the correct location

[HolgerJeromin]

The ref is "the adress of the thing".
You need it if you want to send a parcel to a DHL Packstation:

My DHL id
Packstation 103
33602 Bielefeld

Or if you order something from amazon.
Than you can select on their website from a list near you.
There each entry will be named with the ref (for example josh) and a description of the location (on Esso fuel station area).

With both operators you can check if the parcel box is at a good place to reach for you

[HolgerJeromin]

How to look for reference codes?

With DHL they are written very prominent (larger as everything else).
https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Packstation_Kaufland.jpg
Similar for amazon

[westnordost]

Alright, I figure a quest could be added for parcel locker numbers.

The filter should only select parcel lockers of brands that are confirmed to have the reference number(s) signed. So, so far: DHL, Amazon.

(So, this means, it is a new quest)

[paulklie]

I have researched the usage of the ref tag for parcel boxes in quite a few countries. I could find common usage, and have confirmed that the ref is printed on the parcel lockers, in these places:

country	company	format
germany	DHL	integer
germany	Amazon	string
france	Amazon	string
austria	Amazon	string
uk	Amazon	string
italy	Amazon	string
usa	Amazon	string
denmark	PostNord Danmark	integer
luxembourg	PackUp/Post luxemborg	integer
ukraine	Нова Пошта	integer
bulgaria	speedy	integer

However it seems like no operators print the numbers on their boxes, or noone bothered adding them to osm in decent numbers in:
All of south and middle america, Norway, Finland, Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Austria, Switzerland, Newzeeland, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia or Portugal.

Do you think it would make sence to add this to https://github.com/streetcomplete/countrymetadata?

[westnordost]

However it seems like no operators print the numbers on their boxes

I don't quite understand this. What boxes?

From your research, I'd actually assume that rather it depends on the operator rather than on the country. E.g. I'd think that Amazon will also in Denmark print a ref on its parcel lockers.

[matkoniecz]

What boxes?

likely parcel lockers are referred here to as "boxes"

[paulklie]

From your research, I'd actually assume that rather it depends on the operator rather than on the country. E.g. I'd think that Amazon will also in Denmark print a ref on its parcel lockers.

Well most operators dont operate in multiple countries, and amazon does not operate in many either (for example I could not find any amazon boxes in denmark).

[westnordost]

Well, doesn't matter if the quest is only asked if operator=Amazon etc.