User:Hawkeygoal/Global Pages/RTC Cross Traffic(2016 06)

Overview

The goal of this page update is to provide guidance for editors relevant to lessons learned in handling real-time closures (RTC) and cross-traffic at junctions.

This page update would strike and replace the content of the Junctions_and_cross_traffic section of the Real Time Closures page.

This revision of a section is currently undergoing modifications. The information presented should be considered a draft, not yet ready for use. Content is being prepared by one or more users. Do not make any changes before you send a private message to this user.

The specific challenge addressed by this revision is to overcome a limitation of real time closures (RTCs) which impacts routing to destinations on cross-streets of main roads which are closed and don’t physically allow cross traffic at their intersections, due to events or construction.

In the image below, a long stretch of main road has been closed for a parade. Crossing the parade route is not allowed at the cross-street intersections. The driver is on one side of that parade, and the destination is on the other side. An ideal route would take the driver around the end of the parade route, to approach the destination from the side where it can actually be accessed.

Current wiki guidance is to close only one segment of the two-way cross street (in both traffic directions) on one side of the main closed route. This effectively prevents routing across the closed road in either direction, except in situations like that in the example described (where the destination is on the single closed cross street segment, and the user is on the opposite side of the main closed road). Waze will route the user to the nearer, incorrect, side of the closed route, leaving the Wazer unable to reach the destination.

If side-street segments are closed (both directions) on both sides of the main closed road, then the user will be navigated to the correct side of the main closed road for the destination. The purple route line will end before entering the final destination segment, but this is a much smaller inconvenience than having to find one’s own way to the other side of a long closed route, such as a parade or marathon.

This RTC approach has been tested in real-life closure situations and found to yield superior routing results as compared to the previously recommended method.

Content

Junctions and cross traffic

When adding a Real-Time Closure consider whether any cross traffic will be blocked as well. Often in work zones and for special events (parades, marathons, festivals) cross traffic is not allowed at one or more junctions.

Waze will not route through a closed segment. It will, however, route up to the nearest end of a closed segment to reach a destination within it. Waze will also route out of the most convenient end of a closed segment if the user starts within it. If traffic going across your Real-Time Closure must be blocked at a junction, you will need to close at least one of the cross street segments as well.

• Regular cross-streets

• Close two-way cross-street segments on either side of the closed intersection. Each segment should be closed in the direction traveling away from the closed junction.
• Close one-way cross-street segments on the side traveling away from the closed junction.

Closing both segments will prevent routing across the junction to reach a destination or leave a starting point, regardless of the user's position in relation to that junction.

• Median segments of closed divided roadways

• When both directions of a divided roadway are closed and cross traffic is disallowed, consider closing only the median segment.

When cross traffic between the lanes of a divided roadway is prohibited, closing the median segment will prevent routing to destinations on the far side of the divided roadway.

Examples

Click expand on the right side here to see Example scenarios with illustrations.

New Year's Day Parade in RTC Town

RTC Town has scheduled a parade down Main St on January 1 starting at 13:00 and ending at 14:00. Traffic must not be allowed to travel along Main St or cross at any intersection.

Select the parade route on Main St and set a two-way closure between 13:00 and 14:00 on January 1.

Plum Rd is a two-way cross-street, Orchard Rd, and Mulberry St are one-way cross-streets. To route traffic to the correct sides of these streets, the segments north and south of Main St should be set with one-way closures between 13:00 and 14:00 in the direction traveling away from their junction with Main St.

The completed set of closures in this example would look like those on the right. We’re all set to watch the parade!

Divided road closed for construction

Willow St will be closed for two weeks for construction. So we set a closure for the length of both carriageways.

Cherry Ave crosses Willow St in a ‘H’ configuration. In this case, we need to close only the median segment to prevent traffic from being routed through the intersection or to the wrong side of Willow. Note, we set no closures on Rose St because it is a T-intersection.

Discussion

This proposal is under discussion in the forums. To participate in the discussion click here