A leading mapping brand online and a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Inc., Mapquest today launched Open.MapQuest.com, the first ever website in the US built on OpenStreetMap. Rich content of the Mapquest map will be curated by users, allowing them to add and edit information within their neighborhood, may it be tourism attractions, new businesses, biking or hiking trails and all sorts of local development. The goal is to accurately map out the entire US.

“The launch of MapQuest’s open site is significant as it enables all MapQuest users to play an active role in improving the depth and quality of the map,” said Christian Dwyer, senior vice president and general manager, MapQuest. “The average MapQuest user is getting maps and directions within 25 miles of home or work, and the open site employs a ‘neighborhood watch’ idea, encouraging individuals to take ownership of their localities and make the map reflective of the world around them.”

OSM currently has 320,000 registered users across the globe, including US with several urban areas such as San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Denver as early adopters. All it takes for the company’s goal to be realized is for people to take ownership and individually identify their business, neighborhood, public facility, institution, buildings and the like.

Unlike other maps, Open.MapQuest.com is a “living map” which users can easily add and edit details to make it more specific, local and handy. Updates sync every 15 minutes and can be routed in 24 hours. This feature enables spots in local areas reflect their map changes in real time, and will be a great tool for several location-based projects, such as volunteer members of environmental organizations keeping track of their trail networks.

Error-reporting comes off handy as well. The difference between those reporting the errors and those enhancing the map is bridged by errors to be reported directly and displayed immediately on the new Open.MapQuest.com site.

“Over the past four months, we’ve received overwhelming support for the ‘open’ sites developed for other countries, and MapQuest continues to work to create a stronger local-mapping product for consumers’ use on a regular basis,” said Randy Meech, head of engineering, local and mapping, AOL Inc. “As part of our commitment to OSM, MapQuest sees the open site as a map for the people, by the people, which means we share all the information generated on our open site with the world for free.”

MapQuest first introduced “open” site in India, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands and Switzerland. To take part in the OSM movemement, contact them at osm@mapquest.com.