Texas View history

Updating to State template Texas USA
Revision as of 14:05, 26 March 2015 by Karlcr9911 (talk | contribs) (→‎Areas (formerly known as landmarks): Adding Place locking standard guidance.)
 This page is being updated to the new State template suite. If you are interested you can view it at this test page. If you would like to help the effort, send a private message to the editor of the new page.

Below you will find information related to using Waze in the State of Texas. All editors in the state are required to have a non usa_username, have their private messaging turned on, and turn live users on in the layers menu. Please pay attention to the chat window in the lower right-hand part of the screen (and introduce yourself if you're a first-time editor). You can find useful info there and ask questions. You can also find useful information at the Texas forum page. You can also join Slack and chat with Texas editors, as well as the state managers (SM) and txemt.

Cities and towns

There are 6386 Cities and Towns spread across 254 counties in the state. See Cities in Texas for proper naming information.


Roads in Texas

Road naming

Interstates = I-XX
US Highway = US-XX
State Highway = SH-XX
Farm/Ranch to Market = FM XX
County Road = CR-XX
Private Road = Private Rd XX

Road Naming Abbreviations & Suffixes

Interstates throughout the state

  • I-2 Rio Grande Valley
  • I-10 New Mexico to Louisiana
  • I-20 Midland/Odessa to Louisiana
  • I-27 Lubbock to Amarillo
  • I-30 Fort Worth to Arkansas
  • I-35 Mexico to Oklahoma
  • I-35E Hillsboro to Denton through Dallas
  • I-35W Hillsboro to Denton through Fort Worth
  • I-37 Corpus Christi to San Antonio
  • I-40 New Mexico to Oklahoma
  • I-45 Galveston to Dallas
  • I-69 Brownsville/Edinburg/Laredo to Texarkana (will follow US-59)
  • I-369 Spur to west side of Texarkana
  • I-410 Loop around San Antonio
  • I-610 Loop around Houston
  • I-635 Spur through DFW Metroplex
  • I-820 Loop around Fort Worth 

Special roads

  • When not to divide a two-way road
  • Divided Roads
  • Carpool, HOV, Transit lanes
  • Roundabouts and Traffic Circles
  • Cul-de-sac's
  • Dirt Roads. In Texas ALL roads that are normally unpaved are considered dirt roads as this is how GPS Nav users (any brand) expect the "Avoid Dirt Roads" feature to behave. These roads should be deleted when going through farm land, ranch land, or mountainous areas throughout the state, as they are most likely base import roads and not real roads.
  • Parking Lot Roads
  • Toll Roads
  • Frontage roads not classified as  Primary Street  by functional class are to be classified as  Street . They are also to be labeled "Frontage Rd" unless the corresponding highway has an alternate name. I-635 Frontage roads are labeled as "Lyndon B Johnson Freeway" as that is the local name for I-635.
  • Alleys and driveways are NOT MAPPED

Non-drivable roads

Generally, if a road can't be driven on (e.g. Walking Trail, Pedestrian Boardwalk, Stairway, Ranch road in the middle of nowhere) then it should not be mapped in Waze. This is due to the way the routing engine works, as Waze WILL route users to drive on these "Non-Drivable" road types. Please note there are several Railroads mapped in Texas, these railroads are mapped in a VERY particular manner by Senior Area Managers and Country Managers.

Miscellaneous

All freeways are set to ground level. If two freeways cross each other, look at the actual intersection to discover the layers of the intersection.

U-turns are labeled as "Turnaround" and set to 'Street' type.

Road Type Lock level
 Freeway  5
 Ramp  Highest road connected to
 Major Highway  5
 Minor Highway  4
 Primary Street  3
 Street  Automatic (1)
Private Road Inquire with RC or SM

Functional Classification of Roads

See Road names/USA and Road types/USA.

Texas is participating in the new functional classification across the entire state when the new functional classification maps for the state come out. This will be a 100% changeover for the entire state. Some highways may be downgraded, others may be upgraded. US-281 will no longer be the dividing line for FM roads in the state, either as functional classification will overrule this.

As of January 7,  2015 (2015-01-07), TxDOT has informed us the new FC maps will be available in Summer 2015.

FC cross reference

  • An Urban Interstate, Urban Principal Arterial Freeway & Expressway is a  Freeway 
  • Any road that acts, looks, & feels like a freeway should be set to  Freeway  road type.
  • An Urban Principal Arterial-Other is a  Major Highway 
  • An Urban Minor Arterial is a  Minor Highway 
  • An Urban Collector is a  Primary Street 
  • All other roads are to be classified as  Street 


Refer to this chart to determine the road type of a given road based on the functional class. (TXDOT map is here - click on Functional Class on the left).

 Fw   Freeway 
 Major   Major Highway 
 Minor   Minor Highway 
 PS   Primary Street 
 Street   Street 

When a state highway "SPUR" route is used to connect a state highway with another state highway, a US highway, or an Interstate (i.e., when it is used as a connector/CONN route), use the first state highway column.

Areas (formerly known as landmarks)

In late 2012 a discussion was started in the Connecticut Section of the Waze Forum that determined the existing worldwide guideline of "don't map individual businesses" wasn't enough and we needed a more complete set of guidelines for landmarks in worldwide. As a result of that discussion a set of guidelines was created. If you wish to propose changes to these guidelines, please do so in the forum.

Please do not forget that a recent update to WME has enabled the Address properties for Landmarks (House number, street name, city, state & country) and ensure this information is filled out & correct.

Locking Standard

Lock at rank 5: Hospitals, universities, park and ride lots, arenas, airports.

Lock at rank 3: Any other place that has at least a correct category correct name, and correct address with house number. If you cannot lock high enough because of rank, lock as high as your rank allows, and get help from a higher-ranked editor to lock properly.


When to use Area or Point in Texas

Here is the Texas guidance on selecting Area or Point for Places in the Waze Map Editor. All areas are to be landmarked from fence line to fence line to include all parking lots, roads, and anything associated with the property. Parking lot roads (PLRs), parking lots, and gas stations all serve the same purpose. There is no need to mark a PLR through a gas station or a parking lot.

The Primary Category for a Place is used to determine whether to use a Point or Area.

Parent Category Type Comments
Car Services Car Wash Point
Car Services Charging Station Point
Car Services Garage / Automotive Shop Point
Car Services Gas Station Area Many gas stations also have convenience stores and ATMs. Remember to use "Gas Station" as the primary category and the add any others which are relevant.
Car Services Parking Lot Both There are very few parking lots which should be mapped at all. Please see the Places/Parking lot article. Parking lots on universities are authorized.
Transportation Airport Area Special-handling
Transportation Bridge NONE
Transportation Bus Station Both Greyhound stations are area, city bus stops, point
Transportation Ferry Pier Point
Transportation Junction / Interchange NONE
Transportation Seaport / Marina / Harbor Area Size-dependent.
Transportation Subway Station NONE
Transportation Taxi Station Point
Transportation Train Station Point
Transportation Tunnel NONE
Professional and public Cemetery NONE
Professional and public City Hall Area
Professional and public College / University Area
Professional and public Conventions / Event Center Area Size-dependent
Professional and public Courthouse Area
Professional and public Embassy / Consulate Area
Professional and public Factory / Industrial NONE
Professional and public Fire Department Area
Professional and public Government Area
Professional and public Hospital / Medical Care Area ONLY Hospitals, Emergency Rooms, and places offering Urgent Medical Care should use this category. ERs encompassed in a hospital Place Area should be points.

Clinics and Medical offices which do not offer urgent medical care for Walk-ins should use the Office category (and any other appropriate category) instead.

Professional and public Information Point Point
Professional and public Kindergarten Point
Professional and public Library Point
Professional and public Military NONE See below
Professional and public Offices Point
Professional and public Organization or Association Point
Professional and public Police Station Area
Professional and public Prison / Correctional Facility NONE
Professional and public Post Office Area
Professional and public Religious Center Area
Professional and public School Area
Shopping and services Arts & Crafts Point
Shopping and services ATM NONE
Shopping and services Bank / Financial Point
Shopping and services Bookstore Point
Shopping and services Car Dealership Point Size-dependent
Shopping and services Car Rental Point
Shopping and services Convenience Store Point
Shopping and services Currency Exchange Point
Shopping and services Department Store Point
Shopping and services Electronics Point
Shopping and services Fashion and Clothing Point
Shopping and services Flowers Point
Shopping and services Furniture / Home Store Point
Shopping and services Gifts Point
Shopping and services Gym / Fitness Point
Shopping and services Hardware Store Point
Shopping and services Jewelry Point
Shopping and services Laundry / Dry Cleaning Point
Shopping and services Market Point
Shopping and services Music Store Point
Shopping and services Personal Care Point
Shopping and services Pet Store / Veterinarian Point
Shopping and services Pharmacy Point
Shopping and services Photography Point
Shopping and services Shopping Center Area
Shopping and services Sporting Goods Point
Shopping and services Supermarket / Grocery Point Standalone could be an Area, but a Point if it is part of larger shopping mall/center.
Shopping and services Swimming Pool Point
Shopping and services Toy Store Point
Shopping and services Travel Agency Point
Food and drink Bakery Point
Food and drink Bar Point
Food and drink Coffee shop Point
Food and drink Dessert Point
Food and drink Fast Food Point
Food and drink Food Court Point
Food and drink Ice Cream Point
Food and drink Restaurant Point
Culture & entertainment Art Gallery Point
Culture & entertainment Casino Area There's only one casino in Texas
Culture & entertainment Club Point
Culture & entertainment Game Club Point
Culture & entertainment Movie Theater Point
Culture & entertainment Museum Point
Culture & entertainment Music Venue Point
Culture & entertainment Performing Arts Venue Point
Culture & entertainment Racing Track Area
Culture & entertainment Stadium / Arena Area
Culture & entertainment Theme Park Area
Culture & entertainment Theater Point
Culture & entertainment Tourist Attraction / Historic Site Both Size-dependent. If not sure, ask
Culture & entertainment Zoo / Aquarium Area Size-dependent
Other Construction Site NONE
Other Residence / Home Point
Lodging Bed & Breakfast Point
Lodging Camping / Trailer Park Point
Lodging Cottage / Cabin Point
Lodging Hostel Point
Lodging Hotel Point
Outdoors Beach NONE
Outdoors Golf Course Area
Outdoors Park Area
Outdoors Playground Point
Outdoors Plaza Point
Outdoors Promenade Point Unsure about mapping these at all
Outdoors Scenic Lookout / Viewpoint Point
Outdoors Ski Area NONE Not in Texas
Outdoors Sports Court Point
Natural features Farm NONE
Natural features Forest / Grove Area Only map official state/national forests, not every stand of trees.
Natural features Island NONE
Natural features River / Stream NONE
Natural features Sea / Lake / Pond NONE

Major construction projects

See TxDot for a list of LONG TERM road closures & changes to traffic flow that impact the Waze map.

If you are aware or made aware of any long term closures (construction, work closures and emergency closures), please fill out this form. Your submission will be reviewed by US Champs and submitted to the Waze team upon approval.

I-35 (Austin to DFW)

pjlasl PM is the lead editor for changes for I-35 between Austin and DFW. Please contact him prior to making any major changes (i.e. adding or removing ramps).

Cameras

Currently, the only way to add cameras to the editor are from the app. When placing a camera in the app, drop a general error with "RLC W" where W = the direction the camera is facing. This will allow other editors to know which way the camera is facing when they go to approve it in the editor.

Red light cameras

Red Light Cameras are LEGAL in the State of Texas.

Contrary to popular belief, these cameras do not sit on the top of lights at an intersection. If you've gotten to an intersection, you've already passed the red light camera.These cameras mounted on traffic signals are used as part of the signal control. These compare sequential images of the intersection approach to determine if there is a vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, etc) waiting and will trigger the sequence. These devices CANNOT issue tickets.

There are traditional traffic monitoring cameras covering most of the major highways in the state. These send live feeds to the various traffic agencies around the state and are for monitoring traffic only.

Speed Cameras

Speed cameras are currently ILLEGAL in the State of Texas. Any request for a speed camera, or any approved speed cameras need to be removed from the map.

Military Bases

Texas has a long standing tradition for support the US military. If you have questions concerning any military base in the state, please do not hesitate to ask. All military bases in the state are set to the current installation standard.

  • All gates at the military bases are set to private road in/street out with some gates having restrictions on them for the various gate closures.
  • If you know of any changes in the hours of a gate, please let a US Champ know and they will adjust it accordingly.
  • All gates are locked at a level 5 or 6.

Landmarks approved for military bases are:

  • Commissary
  • PX/BX
  • Gas stations
  • Parks
  • Museums

To do list

Want to help out with the map in Texas? Stop adding parking lot roads everywhere, solve URs, ask questions to anyone listed below, and seek out advice when/where needed. Please adhere to the rules for editing. Parking lot roads do not need to go through gas stations. The gas station area suppresses traffic so map problems (MP) do not show up in the editor.

Mapping utilities

Editors in the State

Username Area Managed Comments Forum PM
Rank 6 Editors
txemt
 US South Central & US Territories Regional Coordinator Based out of Miami, FL born/lived/travelled through most of Texas

PM

jasonh300 US South Central Regional Coordinator Based out of New Orleans, LA

PM

pjlasl North Texas Based out of Weatherford PM
Rank 5 Editors
LittlestLou DFW Metroplex Based in the DFW Metroplex PM
ctpoole Austin State Manager PM
karlrc9911 Longview State Manager PM
jstrangfeld DFW Metroplex State Manager PM
shadoh DFW Metroplex State Manager PM
rivermedic DFW & Central Texas Area Manager - Based in Comanche PM
Jakflash Lampasas Area Manager PM
Rank 4 Editors
coontex Houston Lived in central Louisiana most of my life and now in the Katy/Houston TX area. PM
danofsatx San Antonio Live in San Antonio, love to drive the state! PM
randcon Houston Houston native (40+ years)
PM
tcalvert317 San Antonio PM
Rank 3 Editors
itzrandi Houston/East Texas Metro Houston and Hwy 59/96 corridor PM
jeigh17 El Paso PM
MisterTodd East DFW Metroplex PM
PvilleT Austin Based of out Pflugerville, born in Corpus Christi
 PM
Audi_Chris Houston, San Marcos Lived in Texas for majority of my life!
 PM
MRedRaider North DFW, Big Spring, Lubbock Been a Texan all my life. Lived in Big Spring, Austin, Lubbock, Houston, Frisco and visited about every corner of the great state.
 PM
johnseab DFW Based out of DFW
 PM
Rank 2 Editors
lordmogra Fort Worth/Dallas Have lived in Wichita Falls, Huntsville and Houston as well PM

If you are an editor in Texas, or a USA Country Manager that does a lot of work in Texas, please add yourself to this list or ask to be added.

Discipline

Waze has been designed to be an open community with various levels of editors. Rank 5 and 6 editors are senior editors. They are here to help you and are to be respected at all times. Instructions from senior editors are to be followed, unless it conflicts with this page. If you have any questions or issues, please feel free to PM one of the rank 6s or 5s in the list (if you're having a problem with one, please PM the regional coordinators). We will try to handle the issue as quickly and peacefully as possible.

It is not possible to list every occurrence of problems which can occur in the editor, but the following are some examples of what has happened in the past:

  • Deleting and redrawing roads
  • Creating mass amounts of parking lot roads
  • Creating roads on top of already existing roads
  • Disrespect to higher ranking editors
  • Not cleaning up your own mess
  • Not responding to private messages
  • Willful damage to the map
  • Editing just to clear geometry nodes will result in an instant blocking of your editing rights

Everyone is allowed one free pass, but disciplinary actions after the first occurrence for the above may include:

  • Formal mentoring
  • Temporary suspension of editing rights
  • Permanent suspension of editing rights

User Reports (URs)

Recently, there have been a rash of editors giving long winded responses to URs. The average person is not going to read beyond the 3rd or 4th line. In this example:

"Many drivers think a report shows their destination and route information, it doesn't. It doesn't even tell us who filed the report. We volunteer map editors only see where you are when you start your report and short pieces of the recommended and driven routes. We need more information to fix your problem. Thank you for the report and all the WAZE you help. If you respond to my query and I do not acknowledge within 1 day, please e-mail me at xxxxxxxxx@waze.com with a repeat of the information. This report will be closed as 'not identified' if there is no response within 7 days."

and this example:

"Please provide more details so we can investigate the "General error" you reported. Volunteer map editors only fix map problem. We don't see what you see on your screen. We only see where you were located when you started your report and a short segment of the WAZE recommended route and a short segment of the route taken. To test the routing, we need to know the approximate start and end points of your route. Your routing options are important. Do you Avoid toll roads? Avoid major highways? Dirt roads allow/don't allow/avoid long ones? Have you selected 'fastest route' or 'shortest route'? Thank you for the report and all the WAZE you help. If no response within 7 days, this report will be closed as 'Not identified'."

the user will most likely either not get beyond the "We need more information to fix your problem" or they will skim through it and not pay attention to what is being asked of them. Please keep responses to URs at a minimum. Asking someone to explain more information about their issue does not require a novel, it should read like the box score to a game in the newspaper.

A shorter, more to the point response should suffice. An example:

"You reported a general error at ______________________ and ______________________ but left no info as to what's wrong. Can you please elaborate, so we may look into and resolve the issue? Thank you."

or

"You reported a missing road, but didn't tell us the name of the road. Could you please give us the name, so we may add it to the map? Thank you."

These are short, simple, to the point, and don't bother the driver with useless information about satellites, sun spots, the curvature of Earth's horizon in relation to Mars' gravitational pull, or other weird explanations from editors which have popped up on URs.

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