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
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.
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.
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.
This MapRaid will not have specific group leaders, but we have assigned members of our Raid Leadership Team to each group. These "Leadership contacts" will either be able to answer any questions/concerns about the raid or about West Virginia specific topics or they will bring them back to the Raid Leadership Team and/or WV SMs as appropriate. Many other senior editors may also be able to answer questions.
All Raiders are encouraged to work together and help one another. Please feel free to ask questions and/or offer your assistance in your group. The more experienced editors are encouraged to share their knowledge by doing informal mentoring throughout the MapRaid with less experienced editors. The "OK everyone - what's going on with this example?" type of interaction is a wonderful learning benefit of a MapRaid.
Focus on the main goals of the MapRaid. We realize there are several changes in national guidance that have not yet been instituted across all of West Virginia, however it is more important to get basic routing working at this time. Unless you're also making edits that are part of the goals of this MapRaid, don't edit otherwise routable segments for the sole purpose of bringing them up to current guidance.
Please do not edit any of the following road segments without first consulting aWest Virginia SM: Freeways, Ramps
Please do not mass-edit Make edits that will affect large numbers of segments at once with care. Mass editing can lead to errors and loss of data.
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. Please refer to the guidance in the MapRaid Goals section for more information.
Anything locked at 5 or 6 (or locked above the minimum lock standards)? Please check with a West Virginia SM before making changes. Rank 5 and 6 editors - consider keeping highlights active for locks.
West Virginia uses the concept of True Elevation on segments within the State. The use of True Elevation is to better represent segments in relationship with its surroundings/ground level. For more information please review the WV True Elevation Guidance page. Note that we do NOT use True Elevation on Freeway or Ramp segments.
In general, use the data you find first on this list as the primary name and all other names/numbers as alternates. ̈If you get confused digging through all of the different GIS sites, which will probably happen (it has to all of us), please contact a member of the Raid Leadership teamfor guidance.
Use SV to find BGS/LGS - if available, this is the primary name.
Use WVDOT data to find local name and route numbering (for the MapRaid, you’ll generally need the County Route information, CR-x or CR-x/y, but confirm higher named roads)
WVDOT GIS: consider installing the WME WV GIS Map script. This script adds a "WVGIS" link to the bottom toolbar in WME. Click it to open a GIS map that contains data pulled from most of the relevant state and county (where available) GIS sources. The link will turn green to indicate the GIS map location is sync'ed to the WME map -- moving the WME map will move the GIS map (but not vice versa). If the link turns black, e.g. after refreshing WME, the location sync is broken. Simply click the WVGIS link again to restore the sync.
WVDOT County Maps (PDF): even if using the WVDOT GIS script, the PDF maps are a good overview of the different routes.
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 West Virginia GIS Links spreadsheet for all GIS links. NOTE: Not all WV counties have GIS links.
Parcel/lot information from County GIS sources and/or the WME GIS Layers script. Note that the County GIS sources from step #3 are a more complete set of the sources. The WVGIS and GIS Layers scripts contain some of the County information, but not all of it. Please use caution with the GIS Layers script as information may be inconsistent due to the E911 changes in West Virginia. Use the chart below to help determine the most reliable sources from this script.
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:
If data is only available from a single source, use it.
If multiple sources conflict with a single source, use the road name confirmed by multiple sources and add the other names as alternates.
If it isn't possible to be sure about the primary name and there is already a primary name on the segment that matches any of the possibilities, then leave that name as primary and add the others as alternates.
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.
Steps 3 and 4 above may be included in the wme-wv-gis-map script (step 2), depending on the County.
Use this chart as a reference for which Layers in the GIS Layers script are the most reliable for West Virginiaː
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.
The city name for the primary name is either the CDP name, incorporated city name, or None.
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:
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 namesIf 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
WME Simple Permalink shortens WME permalinks by removing any layer and filter specifications.
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.
- Happy_Lyn (PM [Help]) 
