Lanes
Details on Lanes and how to map them can be found on the Lanes Wazeopedia page. Editors should consider using the Lane Tools script to assist in mapping lanes correctly.
In California, Lanes should be mapped for major intersections where the number of turn lanes deviates from what is expected. In other words, do not map if you can turn right from the right lane and/or you can turn left from the left lane. regardless of whether these turn lanes are dedicated lanes or shared lanes.
Intersections where you should map Lanes:
- There are multiple left or right turn lanes
- In a # or H junction where there is a U-Turn. The addition of lanes for these types of junctions combined with lane heuristics enables Waze to announce a
U-Turn, rather than aTurn Left, Turn Left.
Special Considerations
At-Grade Connectors
When adding Lanes, please consider whether AGCs are still needed at that intersection.
As an example, the AGC from westbound Walsh Ave to northbound San Tomas Expwy is not needed. The island is extremely small. The benefits that the AGC was originally meant for, such as advanced announcement of the turn, are not needed.
Picture here (not uploaded to Wazeopedia yet):
Compound Guidance needed
There are intersections where users should be guided to the proper lane in preparation for the next maneuver. Consider a driver going from Crow Canyon Pl to I-680 N. There are 2 left turn lanes on Crow Canyon Pl. In order to properly guide the driver, Waze should announce that the driver should use the right lane of the 2 left turn lanes to turn left and then turn right to enter the FW. Unfortunately, Waze does not have this ability to provide compound guidance. An editor following normal lane mapping guidance would map that intersection with 2 left turns. A driver could get into the left lane of the 2 left turn lanes and could potentially miss the entrance to the FW.
Picture here (not uploaded to Wazeopedia yet):
Another consideration is where sequential intersections have dedicated turn lanes, but in between the two intersections, a lane is added such that the driver going to the second intersection could mistakenly enter the wrong lane. Consider a driver on Mission Blvd being guided to NB I-680. There are 3 full lanes prior to the entrance to NB I-680 with the right lane dedicated to the exit.
At the prior FW entrance to SB I-680, there are also 3 full lanes prior to the entrance with the right lane dedicated to the exit.
Lane Guidance is announced about ½ mile for MH and ¼ mile for mH and lower prior to the turn. For the above situations, review intersections before and after to ensure the Lane Guidance would not unduly cause confusion for the driver. Consider whether the lanes should be mapped. If not, place a Map Comment so that if Waze adds the ability to map compound lane guidance, we can properly map these locations.