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This article is a US-based set of guidelines.
In Waze, Rest Area is defined as a convenient stopping place located directly off of a highway, which typically provides, at minimum, parking and restroom facilities. Some may have information kiosks, vending machines, picnic areas or "dump" facilities for RVs.
A Welcome Center or Visitor Center is a special type of rest area, often located near state borders or near major airports.
A Service Area or Service Plaza in some states may also include private commercial businesses such as fuel stations, and restaurants. These rest areas are typically found along the East Coast.
A rest area or Rest Stop with limited or no public facility is a Parking Area, Scenic Area, Wayside Park, Roadside Park, or Picnic Area can cause false traffic reports if not mapped, so include them as a rest area when editing the map.
Our recommended guidelines for mapping rest areas is as follows:
Exiting the highway
Road type
In general follow the standard guidelines for road types leaving the highway as can be seen along the highway nearby the rest area.
If the exit from the highway is a one-way road that can be taken at speed, it should be a ramp.
If the main entrance is a two-way road, just use a parking lot type.
As with all newly created roads, be sure to confirm the roads so they appear on the client map.
Naming
Follow the guidelines for your area when naming the exits from the highway. In the US follow these guidelines. For example a typical exit ramp would be named "Exit ##: Rest Area" (if numbered), or "Exit to Rest Area" if not numbered.
The main parking area
Road type
Inside the parking area there should be at least one segment using the parking lot road type that links between the exit from and return to the highway. Follow the general guidelines for mapping a parking lot meaning only the main roads of the rest area should be mapped.
Using only the parking lot road type will prevent the Waze server from sending cars off and on the highway through the rest area to avoid traffic.
Naming
Generally the parking lot roads are not named, but if inside the city limits be sure to include the city name.
Returning to the highway
Road type
When selecting the road type, generally follow the same guidelines as was done for the exit from the highway unless it is significantly different from the exit and would not make sense to match the exit type.
Naming
Also follow the standard convention as was used for the exit. For interstates the typical convention would be "to I-5 N" (to Highway_Name Cardinal) and if a control city is shown on the local signs use "to I-5 N / Sacramento".
Adding a landmark
The Rest Area should be covered by a landmark, drawn to the borders, and along right-of-way of the adjacent highway, but not snapped to the highway, and should not cross a highway if the rest area is on both sides. A landmark type of "Museum/Visitor Center/Monument" should be used. The landmark should be named as follows, using the highway name and cardinal direction as part of the name for POI search purposes: "I-10 W Rest Area", "Pennsylvania Turnpike E Service Area" if commercial restaurant/fuel is offered, or "Tennessee Welcome Center" for official state welcome centers. If the rest area is given a name by the state D.O.T., it may be used, e.g., "Dizzy Dean Rest Area".
If fuel is offered at the rest area add a Gas Station landmark over that location in the rest area.