In line with our Revised Waze Editing Philosophy, our mapping standards have changed in 2020. For more information, see new technology, new mapping standards.
Unnecessary splits between segments forming junction nodes, and excess geometry nodes on an otherwise straight segment add further expense to the intelligence behind the snapper technology.
Remove unnecessary junction nodes
A junction node separates two segments from each other. This allows editors to apply different settings to each segment or connect multiple segments to form an intersection. Other essential junction nodes are found in three-segment loops.
Sometimes however, junction nodes that no longer serve a purpose are left on the map or are accidentally created by new editors, and should be cleaned up. Unnecessary junction nodes create an extra and unnecessary decision point in the snapper intelligence.
The easiest way to remove an geometry node is to delete segments and hover over the junction box where a bridge should appear, click the bridge to merge the two segments together. If the bridge doesn't appear, there is a difference between the two segments and so they cannot be merged. Below is a short YouTube video on the merging process.
Remove excess geometry nodes
Geometry nodes are used to provide shape to segments. Some segments have unnecessary geometry nodes however. See the below example of a straight road that has many geometry nodes that do not provide value.
All editors should be very careful not to remove subtle geometry nodes used to align roads to their centre as discussed in Road alignment and angles. The use of scripts that automatically remove geometry nodes using it's own logic should not be used, as it cannot always determine the difference between excess and intentionally placed nodes to align the segment to the road.
Geometry nodes can be seen by selecting the segment and hovering the mouse over the segment, and the nodes should appear. They will disappear when the mouse is no longer highlighting them. To remove a geometry node, hover the mouse button over it and press 'D' on the keyboard. You can also press and hold 'D' while moving the mouse over multiple to quickly remove them. Below is a short YouTube video demonstrating the skill, note the keyboard buttons being pressed display in the video.