Australian Place Style Guide View history

All Places need to comply with the Waze editing philosophy, only add places that are relevant to Waze's function as a navigation app - that is, possible destinations, or features that aid orientation. Other types of places aren't in line with the Waze map editing goal of SIMPLICITY.

If you decide you want to create a Place in the editor, the best way to ensure it doesn't need constant maintenance, is to do it right the first time. Fill in all the information you possibly can, don't just add places to the map because it's there. 

Creation Requirements

At a bare minimum, your created Place needs to have:

  • Title/Name (for Chains, use Business Name, Location, like "McDonald's Silverwater")
  • Relevant Category

And a best effort for the following information: (be aware some fields may not need filling in, depending on the type of Place)

  • Address
    Don't include the route number of the road in the address, e.g. "1302 Princes Hwy", not "1302 A32 - Princes Hwy".
  • Short, Accurate and Unbiased description
    By this we mean no opinions on a particular Place, stick to the facts or don't add Places at all.
  • Entry point (this aids more in Area Place navigation to ensure the route goes to the correct street.
  • Appropriate Lock Level (more on this below).
  • Appropriate use of Area/Point Places
    Most Places should be a Point Place. The exceptions are water bodies, parks, relevant places that can be used at a glance to orient the driver, and Places that should be shown on the map (petrol stations). See When to use Area/Point
  • Website and/or Phone (if available)
    Do NOT use Facebook, even if it's the company's official Facebook page. You must use a website that belongs directly to the business owner, not any third party hosting site. Check that the website doesn't prohibit linking without permission. Their Terms & Conditions page will usually include any restrictions. Australia Post, for example, requires a formal approval process.
  • Accurate Services (some check-boxes may not apply to a certain type of place)
  • Opening hours (if set, not variable)

Note

  • [L2+] If possible, add an external provider. This not only assists with making sure the place is in the correct spot, it also allows us to link that place to the Google Result.
  • Don't stretch Area Places so that they intersect with road segments, they should come a little bit back from the road, as this avoids problems with editing geometry of both segments & Places.
    Correct mapping of a Place to the actual area

Locking

At a maximum for most places lock level, not under Vandalism or any special circumstances, should be 3. See the table below for more detail.

Examples:

  • Petrol station with all data filled out and complete, L3.
  • Petrol station with name and minimal info, L2.
  • Park in the suburbs, with no data, L1
  • Park with all relevant data added and nothing left to add, L2.
  • Sydney Harbour (complex geometrical shape, necessary for orientation on Waze map), L3.

Common Issues

  • For your first 10 Places, you will need the changes reviewed by another editor. Once you have 10 approvals, you may create places without immediate moderation.
  • External Providers can be added only by L2 or higher editors. If you try to as L1, your Place will not Save.

Table of Places

Parent category type Lock Level comments
min max
Car Services - Point 1 3 -
Car Services Petrol Station Area 2 3 Naming Standard: Brand + Suburb Name (Direction)

If there is more than one Petrol Station of the same brand in the same area, name it with direction as well. (e.g. Caltex Cronulla Sth)

These should be Area Places, and cover the entire land owned by the Petrol Station.

Car Services Car Mechanic / Services Point 1 2
Car Services Car Wash Point 1 2 If a petrol station has this facility, please add as a secondary category.
Car Services EV Charging Station Point 1 3 These are electric car charging points. If a petrol station is fitted with these, please add this as a secondary category.
Transportation - Point 1 3
Transportation Airport Area 3 3 Airports should be mapped carefully. This is a very highly travelled area, and directions to these need to be precise. Please only use these Places in collaboration with your local experts.
Transportation Bus Station Point 1 2
Transportation Ferry Terminal Area 2 3 Point if Private, Area if Public
Transportation Marina / Harbour Area 2 3 Point if Private, Area if Public
Transportation Underground Station Point 2 3 Since these are underground a Point place is necessary to ensure that it's not shown on the map. Appropriate Entry points must be set for these stations.
Transportation Train Station Area 2 3 Naming Standard: Station Name + "Train Station". (e.g. Hurstville Train Station)

Area is over the entire platform.

Transportation Bridge Area 2 3 Use only to represent a named road bridge with local or navigational significance, preferably indicated with a signage at each approach.

Bridges without names are not to be mapped.

Transportation Tunnel Area 1 2 We do not map Tunnels in Australia unless they are significant landmarks.
Transportation Taxi Rank Point 1 2 Naming Standard: Road Name + Taxi Rank (e.g. Stone Rd Taxi Rank)

Use only to represent actual taxi ranks designed for use by the public.

Transportation Junction / Interchange Area 2 3 Use only to represent significant landmark interchange areas, such as the Sir Roden Cutler VC Interchange.
Transportation Rest Area Area 2 3 Naming Standard -

"Rest Area" - (Route Number) Street Name (- Direction/Locality)

e.g. Truck Rest Area - A1 Bruce Hwy - Granite Creek

-

If it's a Truck only Rest Area, name it "Truck Rest Area" + the standard naming convention.

Transportation Carpool Spot Point 1 2 Not active in Australia, please do not add this category.
Professional and Public - Point 1 3 -
Professional and Public University / Higher Education Area 2 3
Professional and Public Primary / Secondary School Area 1 3 Use full school name. Any acronyms can be places as an alternative name. (e.g. Burraneer Bay Public School, alt "BBPS").

For places such as Driving, Art, Music, Tuition Centres and Training Centres, use Professional and Public as Primary category and School as Secondary category

Professional and Public Convention / Event Centre Area 2 3 Area if large centre, Point if residential or smaller.
Professional and Public Government Point 3 3 Area if landmark, else Point.
Professional and Public Library Point 1 2
Professional and Public City Hall Point 1 2
Professional and Public Organisation or Association Point 1 2
Professional and Public Prison / Detention Centre Area 3 3
Professional and Public Courthouse Point 2 3
Professional and Public Cemetery Area 2 3 Encompass the entire zone. Within these areas, Private Roads must be used if segments are drive-able.
Professional and Public Fire / Ambulance Station Area 2 3
Professional and Public Police Station Area 2 3 Encompass the entire zone. Within these areas, Private Roads must be used if access is controlled.
Professional and Public Military Area 2 3 Encompass the entire zone. Within these areas, Private Roads must be used if access is controlled.
Professional and Public Hospital / Urgent Care Area 2 3
Professional and Public Doctor / Medical Centre Point 2 3
Professional and Public Offices Point 1 2
Professional and Public Post Office Point 2 3
Professional and Public Religious Centre Point 2 3
Professional and Public Preschool / Early Education / Child Care Point 1 2
Professional and Public Factory / Industrial Point 1 2
Professional and Public Embassy / Consulate Point 3 4
Professional and Public Tourist / Visitor Information Point 1 2
Professional and Public Emergency Shelter / Place of Safety Point 1 2
Professional and Public Dump / Waste Management Centre Point 1 3
Shopping and Services - Point 1 3 -
Shopping and Services Arts & Crafts Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Bank / Financial Point 2 3
Shopping and Services Sporting Goods Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Bookshop Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Photography Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Car Dealership / Yard Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Fashion & Clothing Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Convenience Store Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Personal Care Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Department Store Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Pharmacy Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Electronics Store Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Flowers / Gardening Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Furniture / Home Store Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Gift Shop Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Gym / Fitness Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Swimming Pool Point 1 2 Not to be confused with Pool (Outdoors) or Sea/Lake/Pool (see Natural Features)
Shopping and Services Hardware Store Point 1 2 Exception is Bunnings, they are Area Places due to being huge landmarks.
Shopping and Services Market Area 1 2 Area to be used for buildings dedicated as a Market. Not to be used for temporary / seasonal markets.
Shopping and Services Supermarket Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Jewellery Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Laundry / Dry Cleaners Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Shopping Centre Area 2 3 Used for large shopping areas, such as Westfield.
Shopping and Services Music Shop Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Pet Shop / Veterinarian Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Toy Shop Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Travel Agency Point 1 2
Shopping and Services ATM Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Currency Exchange Point 1 2
Shopping and Services Car Rental Point 2 3 Some Car Rental Places have different drop offs instead of their collection points. Use Area Places for the Pick ups, and Point Places for their drop off sections.
Shopping and Services Telecom Point 1 2
Food & Drink - Point 1 2 To be used for liquor stores (ie Dan Murphy's, BWS, LiquorLand etc)
Food & Drink Restaurant Point 1 2
Food & Drink Bakery Point 1 2
Food & Drink Dessert Point 1 2
Food & Drink Coffee Shop / Café Point 1 2
Food & Drink Fast Food Point 1 2 Naming Standard: Name + Suburb. (e.g. McDonald's Riverwood)
Food & Drink Food Court Area 1 2
Food & Drink Pub / Bar Point 1 2
Food & Drink Ice Cream Point 1 2
Culture & Entertainment - Point 1 3 -
Culture & Entertainment Art Gallery Point 1 2
Culture & Entertainment Casino Point 1 2
Culture & Entertainment Club Point 1 2
Culture & Entertainment Tourist Attraction / Historic Site Point 2 3
Culture & Entertainment Cinema Point 1 2
Culture & Entertainment Museum Area 1 3 Point if smaller / regional.
Culture & Entertainment Music Venue Point 1 2
Culture & Entertainment Performing Arts Venue Point 1 2
Culture & Entertainment Game Club Point 1 2
Culture & Entertainment Stadium / Arena / Function Centre Area 2 3
Culture & Entertainment Theme Park Area 1 2
Culture & Entertainment Zoo / Aquarium Area 2 3
Culture & Entertainment Racing Track Area 1 2
Culture & Entertainment Theatre Point 1 2
Other - Point 1 2 -
Other Construction Site Area 2 2 Unless this is significant construction, this does not need to be mapped.
Lodging - Point 1 3 -
Lodging Motel / Hotel Point 1 2
Lodging Hostel Point 1 2
Lodging Camping / Caravan Park Area 1 2
Lodging Cottage / Cabin Point 1 2
Lodging Bed & Breakfast Point 1 2
Outdoors - Point 1 3 -
Outdoors Park / Reserve Area 1 2 Do not map small reserves that are less than a typical suburban house land plot. If a Park has no official name, use a combined name of the bounding streets.

(e.g. if bounded by Fisher St & Dunning Rd, Park name is "Fisher Dunning Park")

Outdoors Playground - - - We do not map playgrounds in Australia. Instead map the Parks they reside in.
Outdoors Beach Area 2 3 Beaches should be mapped as Areas to their fullest extent, and with a navigation point at the main entry area.
Outdoors Sports Court Area 1 2
Outdoors Golf Course Area 1 2
Outdoors Plaza Point 1 2
Outdoors Promenade Point 1 2
Outdoors Natural Pool / Pond Point 1 2
Outdoors Services / Layby

(Scenic Lookout / Viewpoint)

Point 2 3
Outdoors Ski Area Area 2 3 Do not map the mountain they reside on, only the base area.
Natural Features - Point 3 6 -
Natural Features Island Area 3 3 Islands should be used carefully. These should only be used to map actual islands, or to fix waterline issues (please leave name blank). Consult a L3 or higher before attempting this.
Natural Features Sea / Lake Area 3 6 These are very complex polygons, please do not lock any lower than L3.
Natural Features River / Creek Area 3 5 The area should encompass the body of water until it meets another River / Stream or a Sea / Lake.
Natural Features Forest / Bush Area 3 3 Use this only for named forests / national parks.
Natural Features Farm Area 3 3 Only farms that are open to public and are a tourist attraction should be mapped.
Natural Features Canal / Ditch / Aqueduct Area 3 3
Natural Features Marsh / Wetlands Area 3 3
Natural Features Dam Area 3 3 Do not use this unless it can be actively used to assist in navigation / view-able from the road.
Residential Place - Point 1 1 RPP's should only be used when fixing a navigation issue, or when adding supporting photography, to assist in residence discovery.
Car Park - Area ~ ~ Same lock level as the Place they are parking for.

Residential Point Places

In some circumstances, House Numbers can't be used to specify a street address. A Residential Place Point [RPP] can be used to overcome that limitation. The rules for a successful RPP are:

  1. The abbreviation of the street type in the RPP must match a list of accepted abbreviations, which is not directly accessible to us. Most of the standard abbreviations in the Abbreviations and Acronyms list have been found to work, except that Crescent must be abbreviated as Cres, and Avenue must be abbreviated as Ave.
  2. The Street Name and City in the RPP must match those of a nearby segment. If necessary, add an alt-name to the segment to provide a match. (For example, a street address of 123 Princes Hwy, Dandenong on a segment identified as ALTNR1 - Princes Hwy would require an alt-name of Princes Hwy, Dandenong on the highway segment. Note that the City name is required, but can't be added to the alt-name if the main name for the segment is flagged as "None". To overcome this, add a City name to the main name, then add the City in the alt-name, save your changes, then flag the main City name as "None" and save again. )
  3. The RPP must have an explicit entry point.

The RPP will become effective in minutes, unless there were changes in the street name that need to be incorporated in the live map.