MegaMapRaid/August2017

MegaMapRaid China will run from Aug. 26 through Sept. 10, 2017. Please do not make any edits in the raid area until after the raid begins. This will allow us to get accurate MapRaid statistics.

A MegaMapRaid (MMR) is a MapRaid in which a group of international map editors join together and update a large area. Besides the benefits of a normal MapRaid, it opens up different ways of dealing with editing and navigation situations, because every country has its own specifics. It is always fun and a great learning experience to people from several backgrounds. Besides, the raiders together quickly improve the overall condition of the Waze map.

The participants will be divided into four groups, one for each section of the map. Each group will have both local and senior editors, one of which will be the group leader. Please direct all questions to your group leaders.

The raid organizers will be available across all areas for added support: asterix06, enhket, and orbitc

Communication

We will use Discord for communication. Use this link to join: There will be a China country channel and also a channel for each raid group. If you have trouble joining, please reach out to one of the MapRaid organizers. WME chat can also be used. The WME Chat addon is recommended. Real-time communication will be in Discord channels, but some information will be posted in the Waze forum, as well.

Mission

The raiders' primary mission is to improve connectivity between villages, towns, and cities. This means adding segments where they are missing. Naming the segments requires language ability, so that is best left to the local editing community.

The tasks

• Create segments, especially those that connect villages, towns, and cities to major highways.
• Verify the map for errors (turn restrictions, disconnections etc)
• Respond to Update Requests (URs)
• Respond to Place Update Requests (PURs)
• Have fun!

MR Area

Each raider will be asked to focus on the area for their group primarily but will be able to access other areas, if needed. It is highly recommended that all raiders install the Overlay script to keep track of where you are editing.

Here are permalinks to each group region and its city names:
Group 1 - City names
Group 2 - City names
Group 3 - City names
Group 4 - City names 1 & City names 2

If you have an issue with editable area in MapRaid, please submit this form and the mapraid organizers will take care of it.

Groups

Important / MapRaid guidelines

The raid organizers have not secured a publicly available source map (especially one in a language other than Mandarin) that can be used as a reference tool. If one is located that can be helpful, your group leaders will pass it on through the Discord channels.

Meanwhile: All commercial maps, including Google Maps, are prohibited as Waze sources. Privately owned data can not be used for Waze mapping. This is critical: Data found to have come from a non-approved source can cause Waze to lose all the contributed data in a large area.

This does limit what we can contribute to the map. But adding roads will be important in making the Waze app more usable for routing, and in the future local editors with local knowledge can "fill in the blanks."

Please read the entire MapRaid wiki. If you are still uncertain what to do about something you see on the map, please ask your group leader.

Thank you for your help with the map.

The focus: adding segments

There are numerous challenges that limit what can be done for those who don't speak or read Chinese. Google Street View is not available in China, which removes one usable source of data for labeling street segments and Places.

As a result, raiders should focus on adding roads to enable routing in more areas. The GPS layer can help confirm streets as drivable if vehicles are not visible in the satellite imagery.

Connectivity

There are many aspects when we deal with connectivity. In the end, we all want the fastest drive to our destination. Therefore, we need to map roads. No road means no navigation. These roads need to be connected, so there is a route possible from one to the other. The more experienced you get, the more you can do to improve connectivity such as using road type, naming, geometry, and angles to improve routing and navigation instructions.

The first sub goal of connectivity is adding drivable roads. Roads are build up from segments, which need to be connected to function correctly. Always check if a junction is working correctly. Check the angles to ensure the driver gets appropriate (turn/keep) instructions.

A rough guideline to using road types

In some cases, there are brand new roads that do not yet have a name visible to drivers. Or the person who used the pave option did not leave a note for the name of the new road. In these cases, it is OK to leave the name of the road blank by marking "none" for the Street and City fields in the editor. But please make sure to choose the proper road type and confirm any other details you can to ensure the road appears correctly on the client app and enable routing.

• The main roads in a district or town should at least be set to PS (Primary Street).
• If segments will be used for through traffic or for longer distances connecting districts or towns, they should at least be mH (Minor Highway)
• Main interconnecting roads with fast traffic should at least be MH (Major Highway)

Always make sure a road is at least connected to the same level of road type or higher. Thus, Waze should be able to route from primary to primary (or higher), from minor to minor (or higher), from major to major (or higher), and from Freeway to Freeway. In other words, you should be able to continuously drive on the same or higher type of segments for the routing engine to use that road type in the calculations.

This means we need to sometimes make small roads a mH, for the possibility of calculating long distance routing. Please post a question if anything is unclear.

Adding Roads

If you notice any roads on the satellite layer that have not been added to the WME map, please first confirm that they exist before adding them. Make sure the road is complete, drivable, and is connected to the rest of the road network. Some clues you can use are:

• GPS layer showing Wazers are driving on the road.
• Satellite View on the road, showing it is in use
• Information from local drivers who have been there (this can be you if you have been there).

Some roads are partially completed. Before extending the road, make sure the "new" section is completed, drivable, and connected. If you are unsure about roads that were created by another editor before the MapRaid, DO NOT delete them without instructions from a local host.

It can help to do a visual check to ensure roads are suitable for driving rather than for pedestrians or bicycles only. You can turn off the Roads layer to have a proper view of the Satellite Imagery. If the roads appear too narrow for vehicles and if GPS shows no activity, you should reconsider adding the new roads.

NOTE: Freeways must be split into two one-way roads for best routing and navigation instructions results. Please see the image below for example.

Toll Roads

We add the Toll attribute ONLY at the Toll Booths. We do not mark it on every segment of the freeways. See this section for more information.

Road Locks

Places and Update Requests

Responding to URs and Place Update Requests will help provide more feedback on possible errors. There are not too many in this area — we want them to increase, because that means more people will be using Waze!

Any PURs also can be addressed. Language may be an issue, but they can be at least moderated for appropriate photos. Unless a local host advises otherwise, you can leave them unlocked for future action by another editor.

For any URs you do find on the map, a list of simple bilingual (Chinese/English) responses for the common categories appear below. It is wise to provide both because the reporter could be a tourist and would be at least able to get a translation more easily. Thanks to leocylau for providing them.

The protocol will be to wait four days for a response, post a reminder message, then close after four more days. If possible, solve the UR based on reports, GPS and navigation data. Any replies can be saved to a sheet for possible translation and action later.

The responses:

For General Error: In English: Volunteer responding - Waze did not send us enough information to fix your request. Would you please let us know what went wrong? Would you tell us your destination as you entered it into Waze? Thanks!

In Chinese: 志愿者回应 - Waze 没有提供足够资料来解决你的报告， 请具体描述出了什么问题， 并告诉我们你所输入的目的地。 谢谢！

For Turn not allowed: In English: Volunteer responding - Would you please let us know which turn was or should not be allowed and why? Please specify the street names at the intersection. Thanks!

In Chinese: 志愿者回应 - 请你告诉我们哪个转向是允许或不允许吗？请指出哪个交叉路口的街道名称。谢谢！

For Wrong driving direction: In English: Volunteer responding - Waze did not send us enough information to fix your request. Would you please let us know what went wrong with the route Waze gave you? Would you tell us your destination as you entered it into Waze? Thanks!

In Chinese: 志愿者回应 - Waze 没有提供足够资料来解决你的报告，请具体描述 Waze 给你的路线出了什么问题，并告诉我们你所输入的目的地。谢谢！

For Incorrect junction: In English: Volunteer responding - Waze did not send us enough information to fix your request. Would you please let us know which junction is incorrect and the street names of the intersection? Thanks!

In Chinese: 志愿者回应 - Waze 没有提供足够资料来解决你的报告，请指出哪个路口不正确及其连接的街道名称。谢谢！

Naming segments

If you know the city and Chinese language ability, the City field is entered in the Chinese/English format. A known street name is entered in Chinese for the Primary name field and English as the Alternate.

Chinese speakers should refer to the China wiki for further instructions and road types.

However, for most raiders who do not write or read Chinese, the None box can be checked on all fields other than Country.

If the street name is known, its English spelling can be entered as an Alternate with a blank Primary field. To do this, enter any word in the Primary name field and "apply." Then enter the English name in the Alt field and apply. Then edit the Primary name again and click the "None" box for the street field and apply. The Alternative name will remain on the segment while "No name" is set for the Primary field.

Mapping resources

Reference Links

• NEW Administrative Divisions of China for Waze Map

The Basics

• New Editor Welcome Page
• Waze Map Editor
• Best Map Editing Practice
• Editing Manual
• How to make a Permalink
• All about the WME Chat
• Community Scripts and Tools

Recommended Tools for MapRaid

• Mapraid Overlay (Tampermonkey/Greasemonkey required). Many thanks to Glodenox for creating this tool.

Here is a guide to installation of the overlay.

• UR Comments - a tremendous time and labor saving tool with automation and integration with URO+, to help with working URs. Read the documentation. Tampermonkey / Greasemonkey required
• The WME Reference Sheet^[PDF] is a printable double-sided tri-fold quick reference guide to some of the common topics used in WME.
• WME Magic is a plugin based framework to enhance editors, so they can be more productive.
  • Chrome Installation Link -- Tampermonkey Required
  • Other browsers are not supported
• WME Chat Addon is a script that improves the WME chat GUI. For a list of all the features check the thread here -- Tampermonkey/Greasemonkey required

Mapraid problem tracking

Spreadsheets and forms are being developed to help local editors track important map issues that can't be solved during the raid. These will be made available in the Discord communication channels.

Results

Check back here after the raid is completed to see the results and achievements.