When Waze gives navigation instructions to "turn", "exit", or "keep" onto an unnamed segment, it will look for a name it can use. If there is a named segment further along your route, it will use (inherit) that name in the instruction.
The inherited name is only used in the displayed and spoken instruction prompts, it does not affect the actual name of the segment.
This always works for Freeways and Ramps .
As of January 2015[update], on all other road types, this feature only works if:
The combined length of the consecutive unnamed segments is shorter than 400 meters (1,312 feet), AND
There are 3 or less unnamed segments in a row.
To explain the above conditions from another perspective:
If the consecutive unnamed segments measured together are longer than 400 m (1,312 ft), or if there are 4 or more unnamed segments in a row, Waze will NOT show or speak a name in the instructions.
Note: Technical source is User:PesachZ/Road name inheritance, which would probably be a good "for more detailed info" or a "see also" link... eventually updated to watever page s actually created for it. Also, that page will be transcludable with a short summary version, which may make sense to transclude here.
Version 1
When a user is routed through an unnamed segment, Waze will automatically use the name of the next named segment on the route. This is useful for getting turn instructions on ramps and turn lanes. This, however, can be confusing in large parking lots.
When Waze uses a name for an unnamed segment
Waze sometimes uses a name for an unnamed segment in a driving instruction. When Waze gives driving directions to turn, exit, or "keep" onto an unnamed segment, it will look for a name it can use. If there is a named segment a little further along your route, it will use that name in the instruction.
As of January 2015[update], on most road types, this can be prevented. If "segment 1" is the segment following the "turn", "keep", or "exit" instruction:
the length of segment 1 and the unnamed segments that follow it adds up to 400m or more. AND
segment 1 is followed by 3 or more unnamed segments.
In this case, when Waze gives instructions to turn into this segment, it will not show or speak a name for the segment. These rules for prevention are ignored for ramp and freeway road types.
Version 2
When a user is routed through an unnamed segment, Waze will automatically use the name of the next named segment on the route (name inheritance). This is useful for getting instructions on ramps and turn lanes. This, however, can be confusing in other areas, like large parking lots.
Conditions for name inheritance
When Waze gives driving directions to turn, exit, or "keep" onto an unnamed segment, it will look for a name it can use. If there is a named segment further along your route, it will use (inherit) that name in the instruction. This always works for freeways and ramps.
As of January 2015[update], on all other road types, this feature only works if:
the length of the unnamed segments is shorter than 400m, AND
there are no more than 4 unnamed segments in a row.
If the unnamed segments taken together are longer than 400 meter, or if there are 4 or more unnamed segments in a row, Waze will NOT show or speak a name in the instructions.
Examples
exit ramp
If a freeway exit ramp leads to a fork in the road, you can leave the name off of the exit ramp. Only name the segments which go to a specific destination. Waze will use the name of the next named segment after the unnamed exit ramp. This is only useful if the sign for the exit is the same as the sign for the next named segment.
Connecting street between the lanes of a divided highway
If routing from segment A (US-202 N) over the unnamed segment, Waze will use (inherit) the name of the next segment B in the instruction: "Go left to Beta Blvd" If routing from segment C (US-202 S) over the unnamed segment, Waze will use (inherit) the name of the next segment D in the instruction "Go left to Delaney Dr".
parking lot with unnamed roads
If the route leads from unnamed parking lot roads to a named road outside the parking lot, Waze might use the road name in instructions for turns INSIDE the parking. This is confusing for drivers. It is a drawback of the feature. For example, coming from segment A, if the next turn is a left to segment 1, and than right to segment 2 (Main Street), Waze will give the instruction to turn left at segment onto Main Street, while still in the middle of the parking lot road...
