Map Editing (obsolete)

This information is obsolete and the active links to this page have been reviewed for disconnection or replacement. More current alternate information is likely available and should be followed rather than this information.

CAUTION: This page is for editing with the "Old Cartouche" map editor. Go to Waze Map Editor for information on editing with the new web interface.

Getting started

• Bugs and quirks with Cartouche

Editing Manual

• Road types
• In general it is best to try to avoid deleting road segments unless they are really, really wrong
• How to set up Cartouche for the easiest and most accurate map editing
• Editing ranks
• You need to add a junction every time one road joins another. Usually you enable all turns and then, if necessary, apply any turn restrictions
• How to handle road closures due to long-term construction, natural disasters, etc
• How to add ferries (TO DO)
• How to add tunnels (TO DO)
• How to move a road from one junction to another
• How to create a roundabout
• How to add a new road to an existing junction
• Naming of roads crossing a dual carriage way
• Editing more than one road
• Warning on possible lack of accuracy in aerial images
• Use the separating line checkbox only when there is a physical barrier on the road between the opposing lanes, or turns across the center divider are not permitted
• For wide roads with two directions of traffic, create two one-way roads so that a GPS lock will be made correctly. All USA Interstate Highways should be split this way
• Road types
• Road names
• Carpool, HOV, Transit lanes
• How to fix scan problems (problems 1-31)
• How to fix merger problems (problems 51-60)

Basics on Map Editing (Needs updating)

Waze base maps come from the U.S. Census Bureau's Tiger Data [1]. Tiger Data provides somewhat accurate names and locations for roads, but it does not include road directions, distinctions between railroads, pedestrian alleys, canals, and roads, or any navigation data whatsoever.

While simply driving the roads edits them, we need an editor that allows for more detailed features to be defined. That editor is Cartouche. Cartouche is a map editor used by the end user to fine tune the base map. It contains four main panels to aid the user: Layers, Map Control, View, and Edit.

Accessing Cartouche

• Log in to your account.
• Select "Live Map" in the main navigation header.
• Select "Update Map" located just above the map viewer.

Navigating the map

• Move around the map by clicking and dragging on an empty space in the viewer.
• There are four ways to zoom in cartouche:
  • The buttons on the zoom controller in the upper-left corner of the map viewer will zoom in and out, and the vertical bar allows for immediate zooming to a specific level.
  • Double-clicking any point on the map will zoom in and center the map on that point.
  • Scrolling up with your mouse wheel will zoom in on a certain point, and scrolling down will zoom out, keeping the mouse pointer's location in the same location."
  • Holding the Shift key will allow you to click and drag a box; the map will then zoom in onto the selected area.

Permalink

A permalink allows you to send url or a link to the exact view of the map you currently are viewing. This is a great way to show others a specific area of a map. For example when editing roads and need assistance on the forums you can share a permalink to that region.

On Waze, the permalink is called "SuperPermalink".

To get the SuperPermalink:

• In the bottom right of map viewer press the button "SuperPermalink"
• The page will refresh
• The permalink can be copied out of the address/url bar at the top of your browser.
• Share the URL! Done.

Selecting Multiple Roads

Some edits require that you select two or more segments of road.

• Mac: Command + Click
• Windows: Ctrl + Click
• Linux: Window-Key + Click

Google aerial images cannot be used

Usage of any external copyrighted source of information, in order to add information to the Waze database or maps, is not allowed. External copyright information includes any online or printed map information that is not provided by Waze through the Waze Map Editor interface.

With the recent acquisition of Waze by Google, Inc., changes have been made to the Waze Map Editor to include updated aerial and street view images from Google. These are considered internal sources and completely acceptable to be used in creating map information for Waze. Google's terms of use restricts use of their map information to specific conditions and Waze has the proper licensing to use what you see inside the Waze Map Editor, but nothing else.

Using any source of external copyright information puts the Waze maps under danger of being forced to revert all changes done to the map in your area / country.

If any user were to do such a thing, it would taint all the work that person did on the maps and Waze would need to reverse out all those edits. There could also be other adverse effects. Waze has already had to remove all the maps for Chile, and other South American countries because the source of the map data was not properly licensed (not the result of any Waze action).

Users may negotiate with officials in their country for access to aerial images that Waze can use. The user must be careful not to give the impression that they are acting on behalf of Waze. But as an interested citizen any user can speak with local authority, in a local language, to explain the benefits to their country in making aerial images freely available as a public good.

Note that external copyright information does not include any source of information that is provided by Waze through the internal tools of the online editor or application. Also any information developed independently by a user being physically present at a site is acceptable to add to the map as long as it is provided without copyright.