Iraq Road Surface and Passability Data for 33,800 km of Arterial Roads

Mapping 33,800 km of arterial roads in Iraq, this dataset provides AI-derived surface and passability metrics generated by HeiGIT from 2020 and 2024 PlanetScope imagery. It combines OpenStreetMap (OSM) attributes with deep-learning predictions to fill data gaps in road surface and width classifications.

Use Cases

• Evaluating logistical accessibility for humanitarian aid using the Humanitarian Passability Index (HPI)
• Monitoring infrastructure development by tracking transitions in the Road Surface Change attribute
• Planning transport routes based on vehicle size constraints using Road Width Class

Strengths

• 89.2% accuracy for the PlanetScope surface model
• Covers 33,800 km of arterial road segments
• Fills surface data gaps for 62.2% of OSM road segments in the region

Limitations

• Geographic scope is limited to Iraq
• Restricted to arterial road classifications
• AI-derived predictions are subject to model error compared to ground-truth verification

Provenance

Source

HeiGIT (Heidelberg Institute for Geoinformation Technology)

Collection Method

Deep learning predictions from PlanetScope satellite imagery integrated with OpenStreetMap vector data

Time Range

2020-2024

Freshness

Last updated March 2026; compares 2020 and 2024 imagery.

Geography

Iraq