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This page is now a final draft and has entered a review period for feedback. This page will go live on 13 September 2021. Please discuss this page with your peers and leaders, and share your feedback with the community. If you spot any typos or errors, please feed them back to LostInMyMaps. |
This page addresses “walking” type segments in Australia. Generally speaking though, walking type segments have very specific purposes.
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You should not map footpaths, hiking trails or bike tracks. If you do, they will likely be removed by an Area Manager. Primarily mapping walking segments to increase your level may result in a penalty. To avoid disappointment, it is recommended you avoid mapping them. New editors looking to help should avoid mapping walking type segments. |
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The “English (Australia)” language in the Waze Map Editor (WME) settings, uses different names to that of the “English” language. This page uses the “English (Australia)” terminology, and we recommend changing your settings if you’re editing in Australia. |
Waze is for driving only
Driving with the Waze app open is a satisfying way to give back to the community of drivers around you. But when it comes to getting out of the car, it’s time to close your Waze app.
Waze is the answer to finding the best route for routine and ad hoc driving. That is it’s only aim and it does it well. Waze is, and never will be, intended for use in walking or cycling - and doing so may cause damage.
The Waze app looks at the speed you are driving along the road to help other drivers see if the road is flowing or still. But if you’re walking or cycling by the side of the road with Waze open, you may be feeding slow speeds back to Waze and impact drivers around you.
It’s for this reason, the mapping of walking type segments on the Waze Australia map is discouraged, except in the following scenarios.
When should I use walking segments?
Footpath
Footpaths are the only routable walking type, and are addressable with house numbers. Footpaths must be connected to routable segments via a virtual node to be useful. If you find a footpath disconnected from a routable road, connect it. Never use footpaths for ordinary hiking or cycling tracks.
If a footpath is closest to a destination or starting point, users will be routed to/from where the footpath connects with a drivable road. They are helpful in getting the user to/from a place that is far from a routable segment. For example, a business that is only accessible on foot and commencing the walk from a specific routable road is required.
Footpaths can also be used to directly connect drivable roads together by walking. They play a small role in the Waze Carpool app that could allow the driver a shorter driving distance if the rider can take a short walk to the pick up point. It may therefore be useful to join roads together using a footpath where one exists. However, at the time of writing, Waze Carpool is not available in Australia and mapping for this scenario, while allowable, is not a priority.
New editors looking to help should avoid mapping walking type segments.
Non-Routable Path / Stairway
The non-routable walking segments are generally for aesthetic purposes whereby the mapping of them may aid drivers as a visual orientation aid - such as a footbridge over a highway. Further, the start of nationally significant walking or hiking destinations may be mapped to indicate entry points only.
They are otherwise actively discouraged from use in Australia. New editors looking to help should avoid mapping walking type segments.
