---
tags:
  - geospatial
  - open-data
  - tabular
  - parquet
  - geojson
  - csv
  - pothole
  - query
  - semantic-search
  - image-geolocation
  - year-2023
  - year-2024
  - year-2025
  - mapillary
  - inaturalist
libraries:
  - datasets
size_categories:
  - 10K<n<100K
pretty_name: "Pothole Dataset - Global Road Surface Observations - EmbedEarth"
---

# Pothole Dataset - Global Road Surface Observations - EmbedEarth

This dataset contains geolocated observations selected for the semantic query “Pothole.” The records were retrieved because their source text, visual context, or metadata matched the query; this is a discovery-oriented collection rather than a complete administrative inventory. It is useful for exploratory mapping, visual search evaluation, geospatial research, and building retrieval or monitoring workflows around pothole. The release contains 10,811 records from 2023, 2024, 2025; matched-observation details are preserved in `properties`, with associated media available through `media_url` when supplied. Prepared and distributed by EmbedEarth from Mapillary and iNaturalist.

## Dataset contents

## Columns

The downloadable Parquet and CSV files use a normalized schema. Source-specific fields are not separate top-level columns; they are JSON-encoded in `properties`. GeoJSON exposes the same record attributes alongside its geometry.

| Column | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `id` | string | Stable identifier for the exported record. |
| `image_id` | string | Identifier of the record included in the optional image archive; null when no image was sampled. |
| `sample` | boolean | Whether this record was selected for the optional image archive sample. |
| `latitude` | float64 | Latitude in decimal degrees (WGS 84) when a valid location is available. |
| `longitude` | float64 | Longitude in decimal degrees (WGS 84) when a valid location is available. |
| `geometry_wkb` | binary | The record geometry encoded as Well-Known Binary for spatial workflows. |
| `media_url` | string | URL for an associated image or other visual media when available. |
| `attribution` | string | Attribution text carried into the exported record. |
| `source` | string | Source or provider label carried into the exported record. |
| `properties` | string | A JSON-encoded object containing source-specific attributes; parse this field to access the original subject fields. |

### Source-specific properties

The `properties` column is a JSON-encoded object containing semantic retrieval attributes. The exact keys vary by contributing source; common examples are:

| Property group | What it means |
| --- | --- |
| `address` | Address text when supplied by the matched observation. |
| `captured_at` | Timestamp of the visual or geospatial observation. |
| `source_url` | URL associated with the source observation when supplied. |
| `owner / publisher` | Source owner or publisher when supplied. |
| `year / month / season / time_of_day` | Temporal context derived from the observation when supplied. |

## Downloads

- [Parquet](https://s3.us-east-005.backblazeb2.com/open-datasets/pothole/2023,2024,2025/e7b1e941-b6ae-4d36-b014-8e1f1c8d8652/data.parquet)
- [GeoJSON](https://s3.us-east-005.backblazeb2.com/open-datasets/pothole/2023,2024,2025/e7b1e941-b6ae-4d36-b014-8e1f1c8d8652/data.geojson)
- [CSV](https://s3.us-east-005.backblazeb2.com/open-datasets/pothole/2023,2024,2025/e7b1e941-b6ae-4d36-b014-8e1f1c8d8652/data.csv)
- [Manifest](https://s3.us-east-005.backblazeb2.com/open-datasets/pothole/2023,2024,2025/e7b1e941-b6ae-4d36-b014-8e1f1c8d8652/manifest.json)
- [Image archive](https://s3.us-east-005.backblazeb2.com/open-datasets/pothole/2023,2024,2025/e7b1e941-b6ae-4d36-b014-8e1f1c8d8652/images.zip)

## Data source and attribution

Prepared and distributed by [EmbedEarth](https://embed.earth).

Original or contributing sources:
- [Mapillary](https://www.mapillary.com/app/)
- [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/)

## Use and limitations

Use it for exploratory mapping, visual search evaluation, geospatial research, and building retrieval or monitoring workflows around the query theme. It is a ranked semantic selection, not a complete administrative inventory of every occurrence.

No machine-readable license was supplied in the source metadata. Confirm the applicable terms from each contributing source before redistribution or commercial use.