Speed Limits
Speed limit data added to segments in the WME is used in the Waze app to display an app user's speed relative to the speed limit. In addition, the app notifies users if they exceed a speed limit designated on the Waze map.
The ONLY speed limits added to the map must match federal, state, and municipal laws or regulations that designate maximum speeds for passenger vehicles.
Any highway ramp with speed limits posted on the regulatory black and white signs should be added to the road segments in the WME. Ramps with advisory speed signs, as shown below, should have no speed limit in the WME.
Speed limits that are designated on private property may be added to road segments on the Waze map at the discretion of regional or state managers.
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Speed Limits are added to parking lot and private road types by changing type to street, adding limits, then reverting to the original road type. |
Speed Limits Near intersections
Per PA Title 67
212.108 (e)
"If the new speed limit begins at an intersection, the first sign should be installed within 200 feet beyond the intersection. " [2]
Therefore if we see a speed limit sign within 200 feet past an intersection signifying a new speed we are to start the new speed limit AT the intersection as cutting the road and adding a junction node that close to the intersection is unnecessary. We should be to accurate within 300 feet or less in these cases.
Variable Speed Limits
[1] The WME and Waze app do not support Variable Speed Limits (VSLs) that are changed based on traffic and road conditions. These VSLs can be changed at any time by government officials. If there is a 'standard' speed limit at which the signs on a stretch of road are usually set, this 'standard' speed COULD BE added to the associated road segments in the WME. However, the setting of any speed limit on a road with VSLs must be done in consultation with the appropriate State Manager.
Speed Limit Sign Location
Per The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code (Title 75), §3362 indicates that speed limit signing must be in accordance with Department regulations to include “…posting at the beginning and end of each speed zone and at intervals not greater than one-half mile”. In addition, the installation of speed limit signing will function as a constant reminder of the roadway’s speed limit. "[3]
However in more rural areas it is quite common for speed limit sighs to be placed at intervals MUCH further apart. It is because of this that when adding speed limits we need to be diligent looking for signs and not just default to the statutory limits.
Roads Without Speed Limit Signs
In PA there are roads with no posted Speed limit, in these cases we are going to follow the statutory speed limits set in PA Title 75.3362:
(1) 35 miles per hour in any urban district.[3]
(1.2) 25 miles per hour in a residence district if the highway:[3]
(i) is not a numbered traffic route; and
(ii) is functionally classified by the department as a local highway.
(2) 55 miles per hour in other locations.[3]
Unsupported Speed Limits
[1] The following speed limits are unsupported by the WME and the Waze app, and MUST NOT be added to road segments in the WME. Road segments with posted 'advisory' speeds or special speed limits should continue the Speed Limit for passenger vehicles as posted on the black and white signs pictured above.
Advisory Speed Limits
[1] In addition, yellow 'advisory' speed signs (as shown below) are usually not enforceable; therefore, 'advisory' speeds, like the ones shown below, should NOT be added to the waze map.
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Advisory Plaque
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Turn Advisory
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Exit Advisory
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Exit Sign Plaque
Special Speed Limits
[1] As of February 2016[update], the WME and Waze App only support maximum speed limits for passenger vehicles, without variation for time of day, or day of the week. Specialty, also known as 'bannered', speed limits, like the ones shown below, should NOT be added to the Waze map.
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Night Speed
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Truck Speed
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School Speed
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Minimum Speed
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School zone speed limits that are in effect 24 hrs per day, and 365 days a year, should be added to the map. |
Adding A speed Limit in the Middle of a Segment
When a speed limit changes in the middle of a segment in order to make the change that segment needs to be cut to separate where the 2 speed limits differ if you are unfamiliar on how to cut an existing segment without damaging the road you can follow the instructions found here. This process will create what appears to be an unnecessary junction node but in reality this node is needed in order to set where the change in the Speed Limit happens. An example of where this has been done can be found here.