Ferries are large water crafts (boats) that carry vehicles (and people) from one ferry dock to another. Ferries normally have scheduled sailings and are often run as a part of the highway system.
In some states, ferries are a key part of the roadway system and are hard to avoid. In some areas it is important to have them added to the map because they are sometimes the best option, and in a few cases the only option, to get to a destination.
Not all ferries should be mapped however. The following guidelines should be followed when considering adding a ferry onto the Waze map.
When and when not to add
Ferries that meet any of these conditions should generally not be mapped.
- Passenger ferries without vehicles
- Ferries requiring pre-booking
- Private ferries unavailable to the general public
- Ferries over two hours in duration
If the ferry does not meet any of the above conditions, it can be added to the map.
If you have any questions about weather the ferry should or shouldnt be mapped, contact your Regional Coordinator or post in the forum.
How to add
The full length of the ferry route and both docking points must be part of your editable area. It may be necessary to ride the ferry with Waze running to add that route to your area.
- Turn on the GPS Points Layer to see the ferry's typical path. If no GPS point are visible, it may be OK to simply draw a straight line between the two docks.
- Draw a segment from one ferry dock to the other following the GPS points. Name and label the new segment with No City and with the road name of the ferry line. This is often the combined names of both sides of the Ferry. For example: Bainbridge Island / Seattle Ferry. The road type should match the road type on either side of ferry. Do not use Freeway, Parking Lot, or Private. If the ferry is a part of the highway system, then it should be marked Minor or Major Highway. Be sure to set the time restrictions on the segment including the first ferry (opening time) and the last ferry (closing time).
- Draw segments on both loading ramps using the same road type as the ferry. These should have the correct city name entered on each side and "Ferry Loading Ramp" in road name field for both. (Editor Note: This gives some separation from the ferry and the ferry's slow waiting lines, enabling better routing.)
- Draw a one-way segment connecting the loading ramp segment to the main road on both sides using the same road type as the ferry. Label it with the correct city name on each side and "Exit Route" in name field. If ferry has clear signs when exiting ferry then you can label the exit road the standard "Exit to:". Example "Exit to: Seattle / I-90 / I-5")
- Draw another one-way segment connecting the main roads to the loading ramp segment on both sides using the same road type as the ferry. Mark is as a toll road if it has a fee in the direction of this segment. It should be labeled with correct city name on each side and "to Bainbridge Island /Seattle Ferry". (Editor Note: some ferries charge riders going one direction and not the other. You commonly see this when ferries are going to an Island where the ferry is the only access, then the ferry going to the island is toll road and ferry going to main land is not tolled. Splitting exit and entrance ramps enable this flexibility).
Examples of properly mapped ferry docks
Future Ferry Support
Members of the Waze staff and Waze champs have discussed having a better way to support ferries.
Future updates to waze might/should include to better support ferry routes:
- Having a ferry road type.
- Having the ability to add a Point A and Point B, as opposed to a road across the water. This will allow waze to include longer ferries that take more then 2hrs.
- Allowing editors to input scheduled sailing so that waze can properly route based on when the ferry will leave and not just restrict the ferry when its unavailable.
- Allowing editors to input the fare. Instead of just a flat Toll. This way Wazer's can debate weather they want to pay the fare or pay for gas to go around ferry (if there is an alternate route).
- Allow wait time for ferries that get clogged up.
As of Feb 2014, there is no set schedule when Waze will add further support for ferry routes, but it is in the list of future features.