Sightline

March 1, 2026 · View on GitHub

Geospatial infrastructure intelligence platform for discovering and analyzing physical-world assets using OpenStreetMap data.

screenshot2

Overview

Sightline enables searching, monitoring, and analyzing real-world infrastructure including:

Telecommunications towers and data centers
Power plants, substations, and energy storage
Airports, helipads, and cable transport (gondolas, funiculars)
Ports, harbours, piers, and maritime facilities
Warehouses and industrial facilities
Pipelines, refineries, and energy infrastructure
Military installations
Hospitals, prisons, embassies, and government facilities
Surveillance cameras and emergency infrastructure
Transportation hubs (train stations, bus stations, taxi stands)

And many more asset types across 30+ categories with over 200 searchable infrastructure types.

Architecture

flowchart TB
    classDef frontend fill:#6366f1,stroke:#4338ca,color:#fff
    classDef backend fill:#0ea5e9,stroke:#0284c7,color:#fff
    classDef external fill:#f59e0b,stroke:#d97706,color:#fff

    subgraph FE["Frontend"]
        SearchBar["SearchBar"]
        Filters["Filters"]
        ResultList["ResultList"]
        MapView["MapView — Leaflet.js"]
    end

    subgraph BE["Backend"]
        route["route.ts — Request Handler"]
        parser["parser.ts — NLP Engine"]
        geo["geo.ts — Geocoding"]
        overpass["overpass.ts — OSM Query Builder"]
        cache["cache.ts — Cache Layer"]
    end

    subgraph EX["External APIs"]
        Nominatim["Nominatim — Geocoding API"]
        OverpassAPI["Overpass API — OSM Data"]
    end

    SearchBar & Filters & ResultList & MapView -->|"POST /api/search"| route

    route -->|"parse query"| parser
    route -->|"resolve location"| geo
    route -->|"fetch POIs"| overpass
    route <-->|"read / write"| cache

    geo -->|"geocode"| Nominatim
    overpass -->|"QL query"| OverpassAPI

    class SearchBar,Filters,ResultList,MapView frontend
    class route,parser,geo,overpass,cache backend
    class Nominatim,OverpassAPI external

Data Sources

OpenStreetMap

All infrastructure data comes from OpenStreetMap, a collaborative mapping project. OSM data is crowd-sourced and may contain inaccuracies or gaps.

Nominatim

Geographic resolution uses the Nominatim geocoding service to convert place names to bounding boxes and coordinates.

Overpass API

Infrastructure queries execute against the Overpass API, which provides read-only access to OSM data.

Query Syntax

Natural Language

telecom towers in karnataka
power plants near mumbai
data centers in california
airports in germany

Structured Queries

type:telecom operator:airtel region:karnataka
type:data_center operator:google
type:substation region:texas
type:airport country:france

Supported Parameters

Parameter	Description	Example
`type:`	Asset type	`type:power_plant`
`operator:`	Operator/owner	`operator:google`
`region:`	State/region	`region:bavaria`
`country:`	Country	`country:india`
`near:`	Proximity search	`near:london`
`radius:`	Search radius (km)	`radius:100`

Supported Asset Types

Energy & Power

Type	Aliases	Description
`power_plant`	`powerplant`	Power generation facilities
`substation`	-	Electrical substations
`transformer`	-	Power transformers
`converter`	-	Power converters
`switch`	-	Power switches
`power_line`	-	High voltage power lines
`power_pole`	-	Power distribution poles
`solar`	-	Solar farms and panels
`wind`	-	Wind farms and turbines
`nuclear`	`nuclear_site`	Nuclear power plants
`hydroelectric`	-	Hydroelectric plants
`geothermal`	-	Geothermal plants
`coal`	-	Coal power plants
`gas_power`	-	Gas power plants
`oil_power`	-	Oil power plants
`biogas`	-	Biogas plants
`biomass`	-	Biomass plants
`tidal`	-	Tidal power plants
`battery_storage`	-	Battery energy storage

Telecommunications

Type	Aliases	Description
`telecom`	`tower`	Telecom towers
`antenna`	-	Antennas
`mast`	-	Communication masts
`cell_tower`	-	Mobile cell towers
`radio_tower`	-	Radio transmission towers
`broadcast_tower`	-	TV/Radio broadcast towers
`satellite_dish`	-	Satellite dishes
`telephone_exchange`	-	Telephone exchanges
`data_center`	`datacenter`	Data centers

Oil, Gas & Mining

Type	Aliases	Description
`refinery`	-	Oil refineries
`pipeline`	-	Pipelines
`oil_well`	-	Oil extraction wells
`gas_well`	-	Gas extraction wells
`storage_tank`	-	Fuel/liquid storage tanks
`silo`	-	Storage silos
`gasometer`	-	Gas storage tanks
`quarry`	`mine`	Quarries and mines
`landfill`	-	Landfill sites
`scrap_yard`	-	Scrap yards

Water & Utilities

Type	Aliases	Description
`water_tower`	-	Water towers
`water_treatment`	-	Water treatment plants
`wastewater`	`sewage`, `sewage_plant`	Wastewater plants
`dam`	-	Dams
`reservoir`	-	Reservoirs
`pumping_station`	-	Water pumping stations
`water_well`	-	Water wells

Aviation

Type	Aliases	Description
`airport`	-	Airports
`helipad`	-	Helipads
`airfield`	-	Military/private airfields
`runway`	-	Airport runways
`taxiway`	-	Airport taxiways
`terminal`	-	Airport terminals
`hangar`	-	Aircraft hangars
`atc_tower`	-	Air traffic control towers

Maritime

Type	Aliases	Description
`port`	`seaport`	Ports and seaports
`harbour`	-	Harbours
`ferry_terminal`	-	Ferry terminals
`marina`	-	Marinas
`shipyard`	-	Shipyards
`dock`	-	Docks
`lighthouse`	-	Lighthouses
`pier`	-	Piers
`jetty`	-	Jetties
`slipway`	-	Boat slipways
`mooring`	-	Moorings
`boat_lift`	-	Boat lifts

Rail & Transit

Type	Aliases	Description
`train_station`	-	Train stations
`railyard`	`rail_yard`	Rail yards
`metro`	-	Metro/subway stations
`tram_stop`	-	Tram stops
`halt`	-	Railway halts
`level_crossing`	-	Level crossings
`bus_station`	-	Bus stations
`parking`	-	Parking facilities
`toll_booth`	-	Toll booths
`weigh_station`	-	Truck weigh stations
`rest_area`	-	Highway rest areas
`service_area`	-	Highway service areas

Structures

Type	Aliases	Description
`building`	-	General buildings
`bridge`	-	Bridges
`tunnel`	-	Tunnels
`cooling_tower`	-	Cooling towers
`chimney`	-	Industrial chimneys
`crane`	-	Cranes
`windmill`	-	Windmills
`watermill`	-	Watermills
`clock_tower`	-	Clock towers
`bell_tower`	-	Bell towers

Industrial & Commercial

Type	Aliases	Description
`warehouse`	-	Warehouses
`factory`	-	Factories
`industrial`	-	Industrial zones
`works`	-	Industrial works
`depot`	-	Depots
`brewery`	-	Breweries
`distillery`	-	Distilleries
`sawmill`	-	Sawmills
`slaughterhouse`	-	Slaughterhouses
`recycling_plant`	`recycling`	Recycling plants

Military & Defense

Type	Aliases	Description
`military`	-	Military installations
`bunker`	-	Bunkers
`barracks`	-	Military barracks
`naval_base`	-	Naval bases
`range`	-	Firing/shooting ranges
`checkpoint`	-	Military checkpoints
`radar`	-	Radar installations

Government & Public Safety

Type	Aliases	Description
`embassy`	-	Embassies
`courthouse`	-	Courthouses
`townhall`	-	Town halls
`government`	-	Government offices
`customs`	-	Customs offices
`tax_office`	-	Tax offices
`border_control`	-	Border control points
`police`	-	Police stations
`fire_station`	-	Fire stations
`prison`	-	Prisons
`ambulance_station`	-	Ambulance stations
`rescue_station`	-	Rescue stations
`coast_guard`	-	Coast guard stations
`emergency_phone`	-	Emergency phones
`fire_hydrant`	-	Fire hydrants
`lifeguard`	-	Lifeguard stations
`surveillance_camera`	`cctv`	Surveillance cameras

Education & Research

Type	Aliases	Description
`school`	-	Schools
`university`	-	Universities
`college`	-	Colleges
`kindergarten`	-	Kindergartens
`driving_school`	-	Driving schools
`research`	-	Research institutes
`library`	-	Libraries

Healthcare

Type	Aliases	Description
`hospital`	-	Hospitals
`clinic`	-	Clinics
`pharmacy`	-	Pharmacies
`dentist`	-	Dental practices
`veterinary`	-	Veterinary clinics
`nursing_home`	-	Nursing homes
`hospice`	-	Hospices
`blood_bank`	-	Blood banks

Culture & Entertainment

Type	Aliases	Description
`museum`	-	Museums
`theatre`	-	Theatres
`cinema`	-	Cinemas
`stadium`	-	Stadiums
`sports_centre`	-	Sports centres
`swimming_pool`	-	Swimming pools
`golf_course`	-	Golf courses
`racetrack`	-	Racetracks
`ice_rink`	-	Ice rinks

Tourism & Leisure

Type	Aliases	Description
`hotel`	-	Hotels
`campsite`	-	Campsites
`caravan_site`	-	Caravan sites
`theme_park`	-	Theme parks
`zoo`	-	Zoos
`aquarium`	-	Aquariums
`viewpoint`	-	Viewpoints
`attraction`	-	Tourist attractions
`information`	-	Tourist information centers
`picnic_site`	-	Picnic sites

Religious

Type	Aliases	Description
`church`	-	Churches
`mosque`	-	Mosques
`temple`	-	Temples
`synagogue`	-	Synagogues
`place_of_worship`	-	General places of worship
`cemetery`	-	Cemeteries

Historic

Type	Aliases	Description
`monument`	-	Monuments
`memorial`	-	Memorials
`castle`	-	Castles
`fort`	-	Forts
`ruins`	-	Ruins
`archaeological_site`	-	Archaeological sites
`observatory`	-	Observatories

Agriculture

Type	Aliases	Description
`farm`	-	Farms
`greenhouse`	-	Greenhouses
`orchard`	-	Orchards
`vineyard`	-	Vineyards

Services

Type	Aliases	Description
`bank`	-	Banks
`atm`	-	ATMs
`post_office`	-	Post offices
`post_box`	-	Post boxes
`fuel`	`gas_station`, `petrol`	Fuel stations
`charging_station`	-	EV charging stations
`taxi_stand`	-	Taxi stands
`car_wash`	-	Car washes
`bicycle_repair`	-	Bicycle repair stations

Public Utilities

Type	Aliases	Description
`bicycle_parking`	-	Bicycle parking
`drinking_water`	-	Drinking water fountains
`public_toilet`	-	Public toilets
`bench`	-	Public benches
`waste_basket`	-	Waste baskets
`street_lamp`	-	Street lamps
`traffic_signals`	-	Traffic signals
`telephone`	-	Public telephones

Cable Transport

Type	Aliases	Description
`aerialway`	-	Cable cars
`gondola`	-	Gondolas
`funicular`	-	Funiculars
`chairlift`	-	Chairlifts

Emergency Infrastructure (Additional)

Type	Aliases	Description
`siren`	-	Emergency sirens
`defibrillator`	-	Public defibrillators
`assembly_point`	-	Emergency assembly points
`life_ring`	-	Life rings

Commercial & Retail

Type	Aliases	Description
`supermarket`	-	Supermarkets
`mall`	-	Shopping malls
`marketplace`	-	Marketplaces

Shared Mobility

Type	Aliases	Description
`bicycle_rental`	-	Bike sharing stations
`car_sharing`	-	Car sharing locations

Science & Research (Additional)

Type	Aliases	Description
`planetarium`	-	Planetariums
`laboratory`	-	Laboratories

Construction

Type	Aliases	Description
`construction_site`	-	Construction sites

Food & Beverage Production

Type	Aliases	Description
`winery`	-	Wineries
`bakery`	-	Bakeries
`dairy`	-	Dairies

Food Services

Type	Aliases	Description
`restaurant`	-	Restaurants
`cafe`	-	Cafes
`fast_food`	-	Fast food restaurants

Recreation

Type	Aliases	Description
`playground`	-	Playgrounds
`park`	-	Parks
`pitch`	-	Sports pitches

Water Features

Type	Aliases	Description
`fountain`	-	Fountains
`waterfall`	-	Waterfalls
`hot_spring`	-	Hot springs

Monitoring & Weather

Type	Aliases	Description
`monitoring_station`	-	Environmental monitoring
`weather_station`	-	Weather stations

Community Facilities

Type	Aliases	Description
`community_centre`	-	Community centres
`social_facility`	-	Social facilities
`shelter`	-	Public shelters

Development

Prerequisites

Node.js 18+
npm

Setup

npm install
npm run dev

Open http://localhost:3000.

Project Structure

app/
├── page.tsx              # Main application page
├── layout.tsx            # Root layout
├── globals.css           # Global styles
└── api/
    └── search/
        └── route.ts      # Search API endpoint

components/
├── SearchBar.tsx         # Query input
├── Filters.tsx           # Filter sidebar
├── ResultList.tsx        # Results display
├── MapView.tsx           # Leaflet map
├── ShareButton.tsx       # Share functionality
└── ui/
    └── scroll-area.tsx   # UI components

lib/
├── types.ts              # Type definitions
├── parser.ts             # Query parsing and NLP
├── geo.ts                # Nominatim integration
├── overpass.ts           # Overpass API queries
├── cache.ts              # In-memory caching
├── search-index.ts       # Search indexing

Deployment

Vercel

npm install -g vercel
vercel

Environment Variables

No environment variables required. The application uses public OpenStreetMap APIs.

API Rate Limits

Nominatim: 1 request/second (enforced by Nominatim usage policy)
Overpass API: Fair use, avoid heavy queries

Responsible Use

This tool accesses publicly available OpenStreetMap data. Users must:

Respect OpenStreetMap's tile usage policy
Respect Nominatim usage policy
Respect Overpass API usage policy
Not use this tool for illegal surveillance or harmful purposes
Acknowledge that OSM data may be incomplete or inaccurate
Not perform bulk automated queries that overload public infrastructure
For issues regarding the map, please refer to https://www.openstreetmap.org/fixthemap

The presence or absence of infrastructure in OSM should not be taken as authoritative. Always verify critical information through official sources.

License

MIT