https://github.com/ni5arga/sightline

An OSINT search engine for mapping real-world infrastructure from OpenStreetMap data
https://github.com/ni5arga/sightline
geo-osint geoint openstreetmap openstreetmap-api openstreetmap-data osint overpass-turbo
Last synced: 3 months ago
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An OSINT search engine for mapping real-world infrastructure from OpenStreetMap data
Host: GitHub
URL: https://github.com/ni5arga/sightline
Owner: ni5arga
License: mit
Created: 2026-01-25T07:20:04.000Z (5 months ago)
Default Branch: main
Last Pushed: 2026-03-01T19:41:46.000Z (4 months ago)
Last Synced: 2026-03-31T00:38:46.611Z (3 months ago)
Topics: geo-osint, geoint, openstreetmap, openstreetmap-api, openstreetmap-data, osint, overpass-turbo
Language: TypeScript
Homepage: https://sightline-maps.vercel.app
Size: 8.01 MB
Stars: 307
Watchers: 4
Forks: 40
Open Issues: 0
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
Awesome Lists containing this project

Awesome-OSINT-List - Sightline - Geospatial intelligence platform for discovering and analyzing physical-world infrastructure using OpenStreetMap data, including military installations, telecommunications towers, power plants, airports, and 200+ infrastructure types. (WAR / MILITARY CONFLICT / URL's)
README

          # Sightline

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

![screenshot2](screenshots/screenshot2.png)

![screenshot](screenshots/screenshot.png)

## 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

```mermaid

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](https://www.openstreetmap.org/), a collaborative mapping project. OSM data is crowd-sourced and may contain inaccuracies or gaps.

### Nominatim

Geographic resolution uses the [Nominatim](https://nominatim.openstreetmap.org/) geocoding service to convert place names to bounding boxes and coordinates.

### Overpass API

Infrastructure queries execute against the [Overpass API](https://overpass-api.de/), 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

```bash

npm install

npm run dev

```

Open [http://localhost:3000](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

```bash

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:

1. Respect [OpenStreetMap's tile usage policy](https://operations.osmfoundation.org/policies/tiles/)

2. Respect [Nominatim usage policy](https://operations.osmfoundation.org/policies/nominatim/)

3. Respect [Overpass API usage policy](https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Overpass_API#Public_Overpass_API_instances)

4. Not use this tool for illegal surveillance or harmful purposes

5. Acknowledge that OSM data may be incomplete or inaccurate

6. Not perform bulk automated queries that overload public infrastructure

7. For issues regarding the map, please refer to [https://www.openstreetmap.org/fixthemap](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
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