Real time closures

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A Real Time Closure (RTC) may be used when a segment is completely closed temporarily in one or both directions to all wazers. When the RTC is active, the affected segment will be marked with red-and-white candy stripes and Waze will not route any traffic through or onto the segment. Only use an RTC when a road is completely closed in one or both directions. Do not use an RTC for lane closures, width restrictions or other cases where traffic is still allowed to move.

The real time closure is the preferred method for temporarily closing roads because it is visible to Wazers and because it helps protect the map.

Deciding when to use an RTC

There are several possible ways to prevent Waze from routing traffic over a segment. The best choice depends on the situation.

Method	Vehicles Affected	Takes Effect	Ends	Traffic Data	Guidance
Real time closure	All	Immediate	Expires	Kept	Preferred option for temporary (even long term) one-way or two-way closure. Visible to drivers. Immediate effect. Automatically removed when it expires.
Road direction change	All	Tile update	Permanent	Kept	Use only for permanent change in direction from two-way to one-way.
Time-based segment restriction	Some/All	Tile update	Optionally expires	Kept	Use only where the restrictions (time of day/ day of week) are permanent, or where certain vehicle types are allowed or prohibited. Example: No passenger cars on weekdays.
Time-based turn restriction	Some/All	Tile update	Optionally expires	Kept	Use where travel on the segment is allowed, but turns onto the segment are temporarily forbidden or else permanently forbidden at certain times of day, days of week or for certain vehicle types. Example: No left turn 4:00pm-6:00pm
Permanent turn restriction	All	Tile update	Permanent	Kept	Use where a turn onto the segment should be permanently forbidden for all vehicles.
Conversion to a penalized road type	All	Tile update	Permanent	Kept	Penalties make routing less likely, but are not absolute. Vehicles with a destination on the segment will be routed onto the segment. Normally  Private Road  is used.
Disconnection	All	Tile update	Permanent	Lost	Use only if the disconnection is permanent. All turn data is lost.
Deletion	All	Tile update	Permanent	Lost	Use only if the road is permanently closed. All data is lost.

Real time closures are the preferred way of temporarily controlling traffic for a number of reasons

• They begin to affect routing within a few minutes of being saved, without waiting for a tile update.
• When the RTC is removed, proper routing can be restored immediately, without waiting for a tile update.
• They allow editors to temporarily prevent routing over specific segments, without having to make any changes to, or damage those segments, and their road types, junctions, or turn restrictions.
• They preserve traffic data.
• By default (see below), a road closed with an RTC will be continually evaluated for through traffic. If enough traffic is detected driving through a closure, the closure is temporarily deactivated until the traffic is no longer detected. Therefore if an RTC is mistakenly placed on an open segment it will only affect drivers for a few minutes until the through traffic is detected, and the closure deactivated automatically.
• Real time closures are visible in Live Map and the Waze app with special alert icons and segment highlighting. They are also visible in WME with special icons.
• They can be created and commented on within the Waze app, with app creations and comments generating notifications for editors.
• They can be associated with Major Traffic Events to get notifications sent to nearby Wazers.
• They eliminate the need for addition and removal of partial restrictions. In fact, partial restrictions should not be used redundantly with real time closures

Effect on routing

Waze will not choose a closed segment as the closest segment to the destination.

When a real time closure is active, Waze will not route through or even partway through the closed segment in the direction(s) it is closed. It will not route to a destination on the closed segment(s), even if that is the closest segment to the destination. Instead, it will pick a stop point on the next closest segment. If the closed segment is much longer than the part of the road that is actually closed to all traffic, this can result in wazers being sent to a nearby street even though they should be able to drive to the destination. For this reason, if a closure is very localized and going to go on for over a week (as for a bridge replacement) it might be worth the effort to edit the closed segment.

If the Wazer is currently located on a closed segment, waze will find a route that begins in the closed segment and find the shortest distance to a segment with no closure.

How real time closures are added to the map

Real Time Closures can be added to Waze in three ways:

• Real Time Closures in WME
• Report a Closure in the Waze client app
• Major Traffic Events (MTEs) Closure Sheets

Real time closures in WME

How to add a real time closure

1. Save all pending edits. You will not be able to add or edit closures if there are pending edits. Note that saving an edit which changes the segment number will prevent adding the RTC.
2. Select the segments you want to close.
3. Click the Closure tab in the left panel.
4. Click to + Add Closure and fill out the fields shown:

Description - This section will be viewable in both the client app and the Live Map. Write a description of closure / event here.

Direction - If a single one-way segment is selected, then the correct direction will be autoselected. If the segment is two way and the closure is in only one of the directions, choose that direction here. If multiple directions are selected, then the editor should choose two way for the closure then all two way segments will be closed two ways and the one ways will be closed in the appropriate direction.

Event - If this closure is part of a Major Traffic Event, choose it from the drop-down list. If not present then add the Event.

Start/End Date & Time - Enter date/time the closure will remain active (the start date can be a date in the past). Enter the correct time for the closure for the local time zone of the segment being closed, regardless of where you are located while entering the closures. Time is entered in 24-hour format and date uses the YYYY-MM-DD. The first minute of the day begins at 00:00 and the last minute of the day begins at 23:59.

• The start date cannot be great than 365 days from the current date.
• The end date (i.e. duration) for a Real-time closure is no longer limited.
• Real-time closures are active for the full minute they are set for (up to 00 seconds of the next minute)
• Do not use 24:00 as a start or end time.
• 00:00 is the first minute of the day. Avoid using it as end time.
• 23:59 is the last minute of the day. Avoid using it as a start time.
• A closure set for Start: 03:00, End: 04:00, will actually be closed for 60 minutes and 59 seconds, from 03:00:00 - 04:00:59.

Save & Check

• In Live Map, active closures will appear with red closure icons in WME, and with closure alerts bubbles and red and white (candy stripe) road segment highlighting in Live Map immediately.
• May have to zoom in to see all closures in Live Map.
• In Event Mode, if the closures are associated with an event, to see candy stripe road segment highlighting in WME
• Inactive closures do not appear at all in Live Map or the Waze app, and will appear with gray closure icons in WME only.

Node closure - cross traffic

Closing segments of a road using real-time closures will prevent Waze from routing wazers down that road. Node closures prevent Waze from routing wazers across intersections along a closed road. When a junction node is closed, no traffic can pass through that node in any direction. All turns through a closed node are prohibited. There is no partial node closure function to restrict individual turns without closing the entire node. In order to close a node to traffic, at least one segment attached to the node must be closed as well.

When entering a real-time closure, junction nodes between selected contiguous segments will automatically be pre-selected for closure, while nodes at the ends of a single segment or multiple contiguous segments are not automatically marked for closure. Prior to applying the closure, junction node closure status can be reviewed and toggled.

If all the real-time closures on segments attached to a closed node are removed, the node closure will be automatically removed as well. However, if any segment attached to a closed junction node remains closed, the node closure will also remain.

To work with node closures:

• Select the segments to be closed and add segment closure information.
• Review the list of nodes selected for closure. WME will have enabled junction nodes closures between contiguous selected segments. Mouse-over a node's cross-street name in the list of junction nodes in order to highlight that node on the map.
• Enable and disable node closures as necessary.
• Save segment and associated junction node real-time closures.

Prior to the introduction of node closures, the only way to prevent Waze from routing traffic "across" a closed street was to apply closures on the cross-streets. That practice is no longer recommended.

Only the node on the "input" end of a one-way closure can be closed.

Node closures - what to watch out for

• If a Node closure is enabled as part of an active closure, then it will remain enabled as long as the active closures on any connected segments remain active. If it needs to be disabled, use the node closure toggle switch on any of the connected segment closures

  • 

    When a closure turns a corner, check the state of the closure at the node

    Example: If a Freeway is closed due to weather from Mile 0 to Exit 100, and then the eastern part of the road is opened (Exit 60-Exit 100), be sure to remove the node closure at the remaining eastern closure. Otherwise, the closed node at the end of the entrance ramp at the Exit 60 interchange will prevent routing.
• On one-way segments closures, only the node at the inbound end can be closed. To close the other node, choose a segment closure that has this node at its inbound end and set the closure toggle switch accordingly.
• When a closure turns corner, watch out. WME will automatically close the node between the two segments. But traffic may be allowed between the other segments at the intersection. Check the state of the toggle switch for the node at the intersection.
• When all of the closures at a closed node have expired or been removed, the node closure will also expire. Node closure cannot be used to close an intersection unless at least one segment at the intersection is also closed.

Slideshow - how to create Real Time Closures

Click expand on the right side here to see a slideshow developed by waze staff

This slideshow was prepared by Waze staff to show how to add a closure in WME. It contains information on which segments to select as part of a closure as well. The information in this slide show is also presented throughout this page in text.

How we learn about closures

The editing community can be informed about these closures by:

• URs/MPs submitted through the app
• Knowledge of local happenings
• Notification from the local community / Waze Major Traffic Event Team
• Long-term closures

All Real-Time Closures follow the same general principles below, regardless of which method is used to submit them. Depending on which method is used there are additional guidance and instructions in the corresponding unique subsections below.

Waze for Cities Program

Through the Connected Citizens Program, Waze shares and receives information from select entities which partner with Waze. This information can include Road Closures which are entered in WME directly by Waze Staff or the CCP's employees. Wazers are encouraged to promote these relationships with their local governing entities.

Closure guidance and tips

Usernames and closures

Adding/deleting/modifying a closure does not put your name as the last editor for the segment (Updated By: user (#)), however your name does appear in the segment's history. You can also see who added an active closure by looking at the alert in Live Map or the client. Closures that expire based on the time set do not appear in the segment's history for deletion.

Closure feature permissions

• Usual situation
  • Rank: Your rank must be 3 or above.
  • Edit permission The segment must be in your editing area, and be locked at or below your rank
• RTC area - a special-purpose area granted by your RC for the purpose of making closures. Generally granted to CCP partners
  • You can apply a closure to any segment within the RTC area, no matter the lock level.

If you are unable to close a segment, then contact an editor who can via PM, in WME Chat, or in Discord. Some regions of the US use a closure form to submit closure requests. Please check with your local community.

Closing recently edited segments

Road closures are not subject to waiting for a tile update; they will go live almost immediately. However, they only work on segments that have already been uploaded to the map. You will not be able to save a closure on any segment that was cut, merged or newly drawn after the last tile update, because the new segment ID will not be recognized. WME will display the error message (!) Failed to add road closure -xxx. Wait until after the changes are included in a tile build, then enter the closure again and it will save.

For this reason, if you need to remove a segment or cut a segment in two that should not currently be routed, first place a time-based segment restriction on the segment, then apply the closure. After the next tile update, the segment restrictions will be in place at least until the next tile update. You can then remove the closure and make the types of changes that will prevent applying the closure. After one more tile update, you should be able to remove the time-based segment restriction (TBSR) and reapply the closure. This should allow you (after 2 or 3 days) to limit a closure to a damaged bridge rather than being forced to apply it to a mile-long segment of road, for example.

Also, certain edits like disconnection or creation of a roundabout on existing segments affect one's ability to add closures, even though they do not change the segment ID. After disconnecting a segment from another or drawing a roundabout onto it, you will only be able to save a closure on the existing segment that ends less than 48 hours in the future. If you extend it further, WME will display the error message (!) The highlighted segment has been modified recently and will be rebuilt. You will not immediately be able to add a closure on the new roundabout segments themselves. After a tile update, this time limitation is removed, and a longer closure can be created on the existing segments that go into or out of the roundabout, or on the new roundabout segments. This is useful for maintaining closures while drawing roundabouts at existing intersections

Editing segments with closures

NOTE: If a segment has a closure on it in WME, it cannot be directly modified by any editors - regardless of rank. This is by design, to prevent any changes to segment IDs which will corrupt the closure. Turns and house numbers associated with the segment can be edited normally.

If you need to edit the segment, you will have to first remove the closure (copy the details first), then modify the segment and save. If the edit did not alter the segment or junction node IDs, you can immediately replace the closure with the details you copied to the appropriate segments. If you altered any segment or junction node IDs, you will have to wait until after the next tile update before reentering the closure.

Closing multiple segments

Road closures can be added to multiple segments simultaneously by selecting all the affected segments first. Be careful to verify all the segments after you save that the closures were added properly. It's been reported before when multiple closures were added at once, that some of the segments either weren't closed, or had incorrect details in the closure (e.g. direction).

Segment direction for one-way closures

If only some of the segments are one-way, or some one-way segments are in opposing direction (B-A, A-B), you can set the closure as two-way for all the segments. When you save you will see an error line for each direction of a closed segment which failed to save because the segment is one-way. You can ignore the error, and all your segments should be closed in all possible directions. (Be sure to double check them all.)

Major Traffic Event (MTE)

There are two ways to create Major Traffic Events in Waze.

1. The easiest way, for editors of rank 3 and higher, is to create the event and the closures in the Waze Map Editor. See the full article for more details on creating a Major Traffic Event in the WME.
   • Editors below rank 3 can reach out to their local community who will be glad to assist them in generating the MTE, and associated closures in the WME.
2. Non-editors can still submit information directly to Waze Closure staff (see below) to create an MTE, and (optionally) get a message out to wazers in the area.

Submitting directly to Waze

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To submit a major traffic event, email waze-closures@google.com with the following details:

• The event name in English and in the Local Language
• All street names closed during the event
• Intersecting street where each closure begins and ends
• Start and end time for each closed road
• Start and end date for each closed road
• Indicate if the whole road is closed or just one direction is closed

Some pointers when submitting events directly to Waze Closure staff:

• Check your email; find out who will be working with you on these closures, when they are available to upload closures. Make sure you have time to double-check closures before the event begins.
• Waze staff might not publish the MTE to their [www.waze.com/events Events] page, until shortly before the event. Make sure to communicate with them so you can verify the details.
• Closures will go live as soon as they are uploaded (within their specified time frames).
• Closure Sheets are obsolete, and are no longer used to input Real Time Closures, or to generate an MTE.

Report closure feature in the Waze app

Users in the mobile app can mark a closed road they see while driving. Instructions on how to use this feature in the Waze app is available in the Waze Help Center.

• This feature is typically used for unexpected, short-term closures of up to a few days.
• This closure will immediately show up in the reporting user's app.
• Generally, the closure will not show up for anyone else until several other users have reported the same closure.
• Editors can become "trusted" to report closures and fewer additional reports will be required to make their in-app closures go live.
• If the editor is rank 5 or higher, the in-app closure will go into effect immediately.

App reported closures in WME

In-app closures are also visible from within WME

• The start date will be 1969 or 1970
• These closures can be deleted or edited by any rank 3+ editor
• If there are multiple app-reported RTCs on a segment, an error will be generated when trying to edit and save changes to one of them. Remove duplicate entries first, and then make changes to the one remaining entry.