Routing penalties/Controlling U-turn penalties

Median U-turn penalty

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The Waze routing algorithm sets a penalty for some double-left or double-right turns. This can prevent U-turns at H or # style intersections on divided and parallel roads.

Preventing median U-turns

An extremely large U-turn penalty is set for a double-left or double-right turn when all three of the conditions below are met:

1. Three segments: The U-turn is a reversal of driving direction through three segments:
   an incoming segment (A), a single median segment (B) and an outgoing segment (C).
2. Short median: The median segment (B) is shorter than 52.49 ft (16 m).
3. In/out parallelism: The in and out segments (A and C) are within ±5° of parallel to each other.

It is possible for this method to fail to prevent a U-turn when it is the first segment of a route or reroute. If you observe this method to fail when it is implemented properly, please report it in this forum thread

Allowing median U-turns

To allow a double-left or double-right turn through the median segment, break any one of the above conditions. For example:

• To allow median U-turns in both directions, break condition #2 by making the median segment (B) 16 meters (52.5 feet) or longer
• To allow a U-turn from only one direction, first set up U-turn prevention for both directions. Break condition #3 on the side where U-turns are allowed. Increase or decrease the angles so that the in and out segments (A and C) are not parallel. A micro-dogleg can be used to change the angle without changing the appearance of segment.

Checking for parallel incoming and outgoing segments

Condition #3 for U-turn prevention requires that the in and out segments (A and C) are within ±5º of parallel to each other. This is checked by using a straight median segment as the reference and the Junction Angle Info (JAI) browser extension to measure angles. JAI may be set for absolute or turn angles; using either is OK.

Straight median segments

If the median segment (B) is straight, sum the two angles making up the U-turn:

1. The angle between the in-segment (A) and median segment (B)
2. The angle between the median segment (B) and out-segment (C).

The in and out segments (A and C) are considered parallel if the sum of these angles is between 175º and 185º,
f the median segment (B) is straight, sum the two turn angles making up the u-turn.

Curved median segments

If the median segment (B) has been shaped with geometry nodes, it is not straight and cannot be used for determining parallelism. Instead, draw a straight segment connected at the same in and out junctions (where in-segment (A) junctions with median (B) and median (B) junctions with out-segment (C)). Check the angles using this straight segment and delete the segment afterwards.

Note: Be sure the junctions are not locked above your rank, otherwise connecting a temporary segment to locked junctions will produce a save error even if it is deleted prior to saving.

Additional examples

Example	Tip	Details
	Cutting a median segment into two may have unintended consequences	U-turns are legal at this intersection. Even though U-turn prevention will not be triggered here, Waze will rarely route a U-turn at this intersection. When the railroad was junctioned with the median segment, it cut a single median into two. The two-segment discontinuity between divided roads of Major Blvd will trigger a lower penalty mechanism designed to discourage detours off the main road (see Big Detour Prevention, BDP).
	Cutting a median segment into two may have unintended consequences	U-turns are not legal at this intersection, but Waze may route a U-turn here anyway. Cutting the median breaks condition #1, so U-turn prevention will not trigger. Unlike the railroad example above, BDP will not trigger here either, since the divided one ways do not have matching primary nor alternate names.
	A median segment longer than 15 m (49.21 ft) will always allow a U-turn	While condition #3 requires a straight segment for determining parallel in and out segments, condition #2 is the measure of the length of the median segment itself. Be careful when the space between the divided road is small. Ensure the U-turn segment is longer than 15 m (49.21 ft) by adjusting geometry. A median segment of any shape can trigger a U-turn penalty between parallel roads if it is not long enough.
	To ensure proper routing between two closely spaced parallel roads, connect the two with a segment 16 m (52.5 ft) or longer	U-turn prevention triggers for both double-left and double-right turns over any road type. If the three conditions for median U-turn prevention are met, a large penalty will be applied, irrespective of whether the turn is onto the same road in the opposite direction or onto a completely different road. Both double-left and double-right turns can be penalized, regardless of country, and can occur for one way or two way segments.