Map Editing (obsolete) Discussion View history

NEW MAP EDITOR

This page refers to the old web-based map editor, Cartouche. As of this writing, the old editor is available and some functions are available only in that editor, however, it is recommended that the new editor be used as much as possible.

Please see the NEW map editor documentation for the most up-to-date information on using the new editor.

Getting started with Map Editing

Waze uses two different map editing interfaces. Cartouche is the primary editor which is being replaced by a new editor called Papyrus which is currently in beta testing.
When editing the Waze maps, please follow the best map editing practice. You should also be aware of bugs and quirks with Cartouche
Editing your route on the map
Looking for advanced editing permissions - apply to become an Area Manager

Country and Language Specific Map Editing Guidance

Instructions specific to your country and language are found on your country's page:

Editing Manual

Map Legend
In general it is best to try to avoid deleting road segments unless they are really, really wrong
How to set up Cartouche for the easiest and most accurate map editing
Cartouche - Update map
Editing rank
You need to add a junction every time one road joins another. Usually you enable all turns and then, if necessary, apply any turn restrictions
How to handle road closures due to long-term construction, natural disasters, etc
How to add ferries (TO DO)
How to add tunnels (TO DO)
How to disconnect one road joined to another by a junction
How to move a road from one junction to another
Fixing junctions and intersections
How to create a roundabout
How to add a new road to an existing junction
Naming of roads crossing a dual carriage way/divided highway
Editing more than one road
Warning on possible lack of accuracy in aerial images
Use the separating line checkbox only when there is a physical barrier on the road between the opposing lanes, or turns across the center divider are not permitted
For wide roads with two directions of traffic, create two one-way roads so that a GPS lock will be made correctly. All USA Interstate Highways should be split this way
How to label and name roads
Car pool, (HOV), Transit Lanes
Automatic map updates and the locking of roads
How to fix scan problems (problems 1-31)
How to fix merger problems (problems 51-60)

Basics on Map Editing (Needs updating)

Waze base maps come from the U.S. Census Bureau's Tiger Data [1]. Tiger Data provides somewhat accurate names and locations for roads, but it does not include road directions, distinctions between railroads, pedestrian alleys, canals, and roads, or any navigation data whatsoever.

While simply driving the roads edits them, we need an editor that allows for more detailed features to be defined. That editor is Cartouche. Cartouche is a map editor used by the end user to fine tune the base map. It contains four main panels to aid the user: Layers, Map Control, View, and Edit.

Accessing Cartouche

Log in to your account.
Select "Live Map" in the main navigation header.
Select "Update Map" located just above the map viewer.

Error creating thumbnail: File missing

Your screen should look something like this. Each panel can be moved around by clicking and dragging on an empty part of the panel.

Navigating the map

Move around the map by clicking and dragging on an empty space in the viewer.
There are four ways to zoom in cartouche:
- The buttons on the zoom controller in the upper-left corner of the map viewer will zoom in and out, and the vertical bar allows for immediate zooming to a specific level.
- Double-clicking any point on the map will zoom in and center the map on that point.
- Scrolling up with your mouse wheel will zoom in on a certain point, and scrolling down will zoom out, keeping the mouse pointer's location in the same location."
- Holding the Shift key will allow you to click and drag a box; the map will then zoom in onto the selected area.

Permalink

A permalink allows you to send url or a link to the exact view of the map you currently are viewing. This is a great way to show others a specific area of a map. For example when editing roads and need assistance on the forums you can share a permalink to that region.

On Waze, the permalink is called "SuperPermalink".

To get the SuperPermalink:

In the bottom right of map viewer press the button "SuperPermalink"
The page will refresh
The permalink can be copied out of the address/url bar at the top of your browser.
Share the URL! Done.

Selecting Multiple Roads

Some edits require that you select two or more segments of road.

Mac: Command + Click
Windows: Ctrl + Click
Linux: Window-Key + Click

Keyboard Shortcuts

G - edit the selected road/node/landmark geometry
E - edit the selected road/node/landmark details
C - connect the two selected roads
S - select 9 closest segments which belong to the same street
D - delete selected node from road geometry (only while editing road geometry)
Delete - delete the selected feature(s) (fn+delete on some Macintosh keyboards)
Insert - create a new road
Esc - deselect all features
Y - yes in confirmation windows
N - no in confirmation windows

Google aerial images cannot be used

Google's terms of use means that Waze cannot use their aerial images.

Those terms of use also apply to you. You cannot use Google's aerial images to edit Waze's maps. In some jurisdictions you may be able to use them as a reference (like looking at a map in a mapbook), but not as an overlay as with the Greasemonkey script Googze.

If you were to do such a thing, it would taint all the work you did and Waze would need to reverse out all your edits. There could be other adverse effects. Waze has already had to remove all the maps for Chile, and other South American countries because the source of the map data was not properly licensed (not Waze's fault).

So do not use Googze as a way of applying Google's aerial images as a replacement for Waze's licensed images when doing map editing.

You may negotiate with officials in your country for access to aerial images that Waze can use. Just be careful not to give the impression that you are acting on behalf of Waze. But as an interested citizen you can speak with local authority, in a local language, to explain the benefits to your country in making aerial images freely available as a public good.

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