The Waze Map is updated by a large community of editors around the world with varying levels of experience. As such, there are a few systems in place to protect and uphold the quality of the Waze map from both intentional and unintentional harm.
Traffic locks
Traffic locks (aka - road ranks or segment locks) are the first line of defense when protecting the Waze map from damaging edits.
How it works
Every road segment has two lock values in the WME:
- Automatic lock rank
- Manual rank (aka User lock rank)
Rank rules
1. The manual lock cannot be set higher than the user's own level.
2. A user cannot change a lock-level that is set to higher than their own.
3. The last edit date does not influence the algorithm.
Automatic lock rank
This is the default setting. In some countries, Waze manually changes some of the parameters according to:
- Community size
- Management methods
- Activity
- Map maturity
- Population
- Road network characteristic
- Road Weight (see below)
A road’s weight reflects how busy that segment is and how long it's been on our map. Waze then divides all the segments in the country to half percentiles, removing some very highly weighted segments (because they significantly shift the results). Traffic locks are applied for countries where it's relevant and required. Waze works with the local editing community to understand the correct traffic lock parameters. After a period of beta-testing, the parameters are made live in the WME.
Example parameters (varies by country)
The lowest 97.5% of the segments in the country - are available for everyone to edit (= no automatic lock)
98% - 98.5% - Rank 2+
98.5% - 99% - Rank 3+
99% - 99.5% - Rank 4+
99.5% - 100% - Rank 5+
The calculation process occurs about once/month in an effort to keep all locks up to date.
Manual rank
Manual locks can be used if the automatic road lock seems insufficient. Some countries or regions within countries have agreed upon manual lock standards by road type.
Throttling
The throttling system is a mechanism that detects anomalies in the number of edits per time frame and prevents the accumulation of edit counts. While many scripts are used for positive additions to the map, some scripts cause specific harm with the goal of accumulating edit counts quickly. Scripts used for mass editing are allowed, but they may not always result in the accumulation of edit counts for a user.
The system was put in place to prevent cheaters from unfairly racking up points with large numbers of edits that have no value other than increasing the count for the user. Waze is aware of the value that some scripts have to the map but also recognizes that some scripts are used simply to gain edit counts. The throttling system is in place to allow mass editing but to deter cheating.
How it works
Waze has many thresholds for different types of mass editing activity. Once a limit is reached, the next save of edits results in no additional count accumulation. The transaction is followed by a time frame during which edits remain uncredited.
Types of editing thresholds
Different thresholds exist for each object type (segment geometry, locks, speed limits, MP, UR, places etc). Some are calculated per minute, some per hour and some per day. The exact numbers are internal and may change occasionally as needed (new scripts, etc).
Please note that the thresholds are high. It is unlikely to reach them when editing manually without using scripts except in the case of speed limits. Users who do not wish to be throttled are advised to proceed carefully with speed limit editing.
What will I see if I’ve reached the limit?
Nothing. This is a backend process and invisible in the UI. Edits will go through, everything will look the same, but the edit count will not increase.
Will this block me as an editor?
Currently, Waze won't auto-block/lock users due to massive edits. This may change in the future.
Reset after throttling
Currently, it takes a few hours to reset your ability to have edits count after edits have triggered the throttling system. The exact time frame is internal and may change occasionally.
Throttling vs. Cheating
Waze defines cheating as performing edits to the map that do not add value to unfairly move up in rank. Throttling is one of the current methods we use to identify these types of edits, when done on a massive scale. Not all mass editing equals cheating, and not all throttling is as a result of cheating behavior. The system currently does not differentiate between “good” and “bad” mass editing behavior. Contributing to the map with the use of scripts and mass editing is allowed; however, it may trigger the throttling system.
Regression Checker
The regression checker is a tool which further assists in protecting the quality of the map. Regression checker warns editors of edits which might harm the map and/or cause map issues. This tool does not work in conjunction with the throttling system but is an additional layer of protection to overall map quality.
How it works
Every save is analysed against a list of possible issues, recent drives in an area, and current road structure. Waze estimates how correct or risky an edit is and gives it a risk score.
Ex: A very large change in a busy highway which cannot work with current driving patterns is expected to have a very high risk score, while a small change in a side street which seems to comply with current driving patterns will have a low risk score.
What the user sees
After each save, the user will see one of three save results: Save successful - everything is cool. Warning - Potential issue. A list of the issues appears and their locations. The user needs to review the issues and decide if they’d like to move ahead with the edits. Error - Serious potential issue. A list of the issues appears and their locations. The user needs to review the issues and fix them. Only then will they be able to save again.
Effect of ranks
There are different warning and error thresholds for each rank. A higher ranking user is more likely to get 'successful' result, whereas a lower ranking user might get a warning with the same edit. Likewise, a higher ranking user might get a warning but can save a risky edit, whereas a lower ranking user might get an error and be unable to save the same edit.