User:Subs5/Virginia 2025

 Virginia 2025 goal

The primary goal of the Virginia 2025 is to vastly improve a user's drive by having the destination's ADDRESS properly located and searchable within the app.

 Goal scope and discussion

Yes, this is a large project, but taking small bites (in this case each bite is a permalink at zoom=2) will allow us to complete this grand quest. Virginia 2025 is designed to do this effort in a managable and controlled manner. Businesses come and go, but until a building is torn down and/or rebuilt the address will generally remain the same; therefore getting all the residential and business addresses properly mapped will have a significant and lasting effect for all current and future Wazers.

The desire is to get the road segments (base map and urban/suburban) to have proper road names, proper city name(s), direction(s) of travel, turn restrictions, house numbers, and speed limits. This effort improves the connectivity of the Waze map while making the destination addresses work properly. Note when a house number doesn't provide proper routing then use a residential place point (RPP), but only if absolutely necessary.

Since the Virginia 2025 effort can take a few passes on a road to get it groomed to standards, this is a slow methodical effort and not a fast dash. You will be working on all sorts of regions from major metropolitan areas (Northern Virginia/Richmond/Norfolk/etc) to basemap in the wilds of western Virginia. So there is something for everyone's particular taste.

Mapping will never achieve perfection, since there is always some change going on throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Construction of new homes and their roads, improving major highways with diverging diamond interchanges, and even adding Express Lanes or HOV Lanes are fairly common occurances. But the goal is to get as close to a snapshot of perfection as can be achieved. Most areas will stay in that perfection mode for a long long time.

Basemap items

1. • Please review the Basemap Wiki for steps to, and a guide for, editing basemap/connectivity
   • For R1 and R2 editors who have deletion restrictions, remember that merging two segments together is not considered a deletion. Only merge if the road data will not be corrupted for the remaining segment(s), but if there are many segments that do not belong (powerline right of ways, rivers, etc) then combine them into one segment that can be deleted at the end of your editing day.
   • In addition to the steps in the Basemap wiki, please pay special attention to the following:
     • Verify road names and verify/add appropriate street and city alt-names
     • Look for and correct other state names on segments (MD/WV/KY/TN/NC/DC)
     • Add Speed Limits (SL) - Virginia's default is 25 mph with incorporated city/town/village limits. 55 mph in rural areas. Remember you can also use nearby streets with streetview to get a feel for what the typcial speed is in the area.

 Virginia 2025 spreadsheet

File:Virginia 2025 PL Map.JPG

The picture to the right is Virginia as made up of permalinks within a spreadsheet. Each editor participating in Virginia 2025 should select one area at a time. Zoom=2 was selected to give a decent amount of area to work but not be so overwhelming that you will never complete the area. Since permalinks are different sizes based on an editor's computer settings. The magnification of the screen plays into account so selecting two adjacent PLs may leave a gap in coverage on your screen while there is overlap on another editors' screen.

Note some areas have overlap with neighboring states, some areas have only water, and some areas have very few roads. So like these are like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates, "You never know what you'r gonna get" until you jump in and look at it.

Selecting an area

• Select ONE area that you want to work on.
• Copy the permalink and look at it on your computer.
• If you like that area:
  • Change the background color to yellow for your chosen area on the first tab "PL Map".
  • Change to the spreadsheet's second tab, "Editor Assignment", and overwrite the PL with your editor name.
• Commence editing in the area, if you already have editing rights.
• If you don't have editing rights, then submit an Area Manager application to the MAR Regional Coordinator.

Edit the area

• Enter/verify correct road names, including proper abbreviations used
• Enter proper city name(s)
  • Primary city name is:
    • City/village/town if with incorporated boundary
    • Census Designated Place if matches USPS mailing address city
    • None if not either of the above options
  • Alternate city name is:
    • The USPS city name if different than the primary city listed above
    • A second city name if road segment is on the boder between areas that meet the first two primary cities above
• Edit the segment for correct direction(s) of travel
• Edit the segment for proper turn restrictions, including time based turn restictions
• Edit the segment for proper time based segment restrictions if applicable
• Verify the segment's road type compared to the VDOT functional classification
• Add/edit the segment for house numbers
  • Use WME house numbers if at all possible
  • Use a residential place point if
    • A WME house number does not provide proper routing to a place that is not on the named road segment
    • Another house exists within Virginia's borders with the same house number, road name, AND the primary city is None; you will receive an error message that the HN already exisits and you cannot force the Save.

Finished the area

• • Change your area's background color to GREEN for your chosen area on the first tab "PL Map".
  • Change to the spreadsheet's second tab, "Editor Assignment"; leave your editor name there and change the background color to GREEN.
  • Had fun and want some more? Then go back to selecting an area above and grab your next one!

Communication

Discord is the primary means to communicate during this effort. You must be in the MAR Discord server to participate in Virginia 2025.

Therefore, if not already on the MAR Discord server, then please request to join by filling out the MAR Discord request form.

But since some don't have 24/7 access to Discord you CAN edit while not able to be on Discord temporarily. Please set yourself visible and enable the Live Users layer when editing in Virigina. That way people can see you via Live Users and reach out via WME Chat if required; additionally ask to be added to the Virginia Google Hangout channel, if GHO is available to you, since it is synched to Discord.

Virginia 2025 will not have specific group leaders, just ask your questions or up/downlock requests in the Virginia Discord channel/GHO.

If you do not understand anything, please askǃ If you need help figuring out where to start, please askǃ If you think you did something correctly, but aren't sure, please askǃ The MAR community is more than happy to help resolve the question and more than likely there is someone else who is pondering the same item.

Editor restrictions

R1/R2 editor restrictions

Welcome R1 and R2 editors and thanks for your participation in the Virginia 2025. We know how frustrating it can be to not be able to delete (or do many name changes on) segments that you did not create. We feel your pain, but this is a long term project so relax, you can get to it tomorrow. If you absolutely positively need us to address it now, just ask in Discord and we'll be more than happy to help with deletions or renamings.

Complete each segment before moving on. When you find a point on the map to do an edit, please take the time to finish all the associated items with that edit before moving on. The basemap wiki is an excellent checklist for editing roads even if you are working on a road that is not basemap.

Local Guidance

 VA Roads/Routes

Road names in Virginia use the noun name as the primary segment name with the route number as an alternate. If addresses are using the route number AND there is signage for the route number but not the noun name then the route number can be the primary name. Follow the nationwide Road Name guidance. Pay specific attention to the list of approved Abbreviations and acronyms, and when in doubt: "spell it out". See the West Virginia Wiki for Major Roads for WV Specific Naming and Type.

 VA Roads/Routes

Road names in Virginia use the noun name as the primary segment name with the route number as an alternate. If addresses are using the route number AND there is signage for the route number but not the noun name then the route number can be the primary name. Follow the nationwide Road Name guidance. Pay specific attention to the list of approved Abbreviations and acronyms, and when in doubt: "spell it out".

Road Naming

Virginia folows the road naming guidelines of the USA. The local name of a road should always be set as the primary name and the route number should be set as an alternate name; there are very few state routes in Virginia that do not have a local name.

Primary state routes have numbers in the range of 2 to 599 (and, as exceptions, 785, 895), displayed in a route marker using a shield design. Using the example above, the road should be named SR-28.

Secondary state routes are those with route numbers 600 or greater; if these roads have route markers (many do not), they use a circle design or a small rectangle instead of a shield. Using the example above, the road should be named VA-613.

Frontage roads are roads run parallel to a higher-speed, limited-access road. A frontage road is often used to provide access to private driveways, industries, farms, etc.. A list of these roads can be found here. They should be named F-###

Town Roads or T-Roads are roads that are maintained by incorporated towns on an optional basis. They should be named T-###

1. Use the GIS Layers overlay in WME (statewide or county) or the applicable county GIS for reference. 99% of the time it will be the noun name used as primary.
2. If in doubt where the transition between two names is located use the addresses or SV to find BGS/LGS - if available.
3. County GIS maps
   • We highly recommend that you install the WME GIS Buttons script. This script will make it a lot easier to access the multiple County GIS websites.
   • If you do not wish to install these scripts please visit the Virginia GIS Links table for all GIS links. NOTE: Not all WV counties have GIS links. A map version of the list is available at Virginia resources map GIS Links
4. USPS Address Search - check addresses and add as an alternate, as appropriate per the City Name guidance (which is clarified for West Virginia below).

Notes:

• Always include the name from the BGS/LGS and the name from parcel data.
• If an address is outside the bounds of a CDP, include the USPS City as an alternate.

City Names

This is clarification for City Name guidance done during this project. Full guidance for Virginia can be found on the VA Cities and Towns page. If you have any other questions or concerns please contact a Virginia State Manager.

Alleys

Alleys in Virginia follow the MAR guidance for Alleys. Do NOT use the new road type "Narrow road (US-English" / "Alley (English)" in Virginia.

Route Naming

West Virginia uses the WV-XXX format for all State Routes. For County Routes, CR-XX or CR-XX/YY is used. There are no Township Roads (TR-XXX) in West Virginia. In a few limited cases, there are special road names in use; if you see one, please do not delete it or ask a question first prior to deleting it. More detail and examples can be found here on the WV Route Naming page.

City Names

This is clarification for City Name guidance done during this MapRaid. Full guidance for West Virginia can be found on the WV Cities and Towns page. If you have any other questions or concerns please contact a member of the Raid Leadership team. Please ensure that you have the Recommended Tools installed as these will help with Identifying City/CDP and USPS Zip Codes.

1. The city name for the primary name is either the CDP name, incorporated city name, or None.
2. If the segment falls within a City or CDP, then all alternate segment names should also include the same City/CDP. Do not add any USPS Zip Code City as an alternate city name. Example:

   

3. If the segment falls outside of a City or CDP, then the primary city name should be left blank and the "None" check box selected. The primary segment name should be duplicated in the alternates and all alternate names should use the USPS Zip Code City name. Do not check "None" for any of the alternate city names

   

   If there is more than one listed USPS Zip Code City for a given ZIP, use only the default city name. DO NOT use any of the other city names recognized in the ZIP Code unless there are URs regarding navigation issues to that city name.

   

4. If the segment runs along the border between two Cities or CDPs, then the primary city name should be left blank and the "None" check box selected. The primary segment name should be duplicated in the alternates for both CIty/CDP names as well as the alternate segment names. Do not check "None" for any of the alternate city names. This guidance should also be applied when the segment falls outside of a City/CDP but borders two USPS Zip Code City. Example:

   

Alleys

Alleys in West Virginia follow the MAR guidance for Alleys. Do NOT use the new road type "Alley" in West Virginia.

Functional Classification

Information on functional classification in West Virginia can be found here.

MAR Minimum Road Lock Standard

Minimum Road Lock Standard
Segment Type	Direction	Lock
Freeway		5
Ramp		4
Major Highway		4
Minor Highway		3
Primary Street	One-way Two-Way	3 2
Street  Private Road	One-way Two-Way	2 1
|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-| Railroad |-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|		2
• • • • Ferry • • • •		5
⁃     ⁃        ⁃        ⁃        ⁃ Runway ⁃        ⁃        ⁃        ⁃        ⁃		4
Other Named Types		5

Note that these are minimums and, for protection, certain segments may be at higher lock levels. If you find a road locked to a higher level than its minimum, please leave it locked no lower than that level when you have finished editing.

West Virginia Update Request Management

This will not be a "primary focus" of the raid, but please feel free to work any UR/PUR/MP's in your editable area. Remember to follow the West Virginia Response Timeline.

Cameras

Cameras will not be mapped

§17C-6-7a of the West Virginia Code prohibits use of cameras to detect or prove traffic law violations. Please remove any Red Light or Speed Camera you find mapped in WV.

Place Editing

West Virginia follows the national Places guidance.

For specific WV naming standards please review the WV Naming Standards

To prevent loss of data due to automatic acceptance of submissions from "trusted users", all area places and points with complete data should be locked to Level 2 at a minimum. Additionally, please consult the following table for minimum lock level for completed places.

Place Type	Minimum Lock Level
Area/Point Places	2
Gas Stations	3
Hospital/Medical Care	4
Fire Department	4
Police Station	4
Airports	4
Parking Lot Area (PLA)	3

Reference Links

West Virginia Wiki Page

If you have any questions regarding WV standards during editing and you cannot find the answer on this page, please visit the West Virginia Wiki Page and/or the MAR Wiki Page.

New Editors

If you are new or relatively new to map editing, please CLICK HERE for some tips to get started; including settings, options, scripts, Wiki References, and instructions on lock requests and how to create a Permalink (PL). You do not need to join the WV Discord channel, you will be given an invitation to MapRaid specific Discord channels.

Recommended Tools for West Virginia MapRaid

There are many scripts and extensions that editors use to assist with editing that not only make some jobs easier, but verifies what we do is correct. The use of these scripts is highly encouraged and those listed below are the ones you should install, at a minimum, to get started.

Toolbox

• For Chrome
• For Firefox

Once you have installed Toolbox, press the Toolbox Icon and select a minimum of the following options:

TamperMonkey

You will need to install a browser extension to manage the additional scripts. Some scripts do not work with the current version of GreaseMonkey, so we recommend installation of TamperMonkey.

WV specific scripts

Install the following scripts that are specific to West Virginia or to this MapRaid.

1. WV GIS Map Opens a WV GIS map in another window, at the same location as the WME map. Keeps the location of the GIS map synced to WME. Note that this script may require the creation of a free account.
2. WV MapRaid Overlay Provides an indication of which MapRaid area you are editing in.

Essential scripts

Install the following scripts to give you County, City, Town, and Census Designated Place (CDP) outlines that are essential in determining the City Name that is needed for every segment in West Virginia.

1. WME US Government Boundaries displays USPS Zip Code boundaries and County boundaries.
2. WME Cities Overlay provides outlines of CDPs in West Virginia.
3. WME GIS Buttons script links to the multiple County GIS websites.
4. WME GIS Layers adds GIS layers to WME for states and counties that provide a public ESRI/ArcGIS interface. Typically, these layers include tax parcels (often with address labels) and/or address points. Please use caution with these layers as information may be inconsistent due to the E911 changes in West Virginia. Use the chart in the Road Naming section to help determine the most reliable sources from this script.

If you prefer, the CDP outlines can be loaded into WME using the WME Geometries script, then loading this tl_2017_54_place.geojson file. Or, simply view and search the CDPs on a standalone Google Map.

Other Recommended Scripts

1. WME status always visible will ensure you are visible while working on the MapRaid.
2. Magic is a tool for highlighting additional errors.
3. WME HN Tool (JustinS83 fork) highlights un-nudged house numbers.
4. WME Junction Angle Info helps with junction maintenance. If two connected segments are selected, it shows the turn angle, and estimates navigation instructions. Otherwise it shows the the angle between each segment.
5. WME Simple Permalink shortens WME permalinks by removing any layer and filter specifications.
6. Place Harmonizer (WMEPH). harmonizes, formats and locks a selected place.
7. WME FS MVUM GIS Map opens a Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Map in another window, at the same location as the WME map. Keeps the location of the GIS map synced to WME.