Speed Cameras

Introduction

This page forms part of UK Editing Best Practice. Editors are encouraged to follow these guidelines.

Waze currently supports reporting of and warning for three categories of cameras: Speed Cameras, Red Light Cameras and Fake Cameras. This Wiki page aims to help the Wazer identify, map and approve cameras in the Client and Map Editor.

Waze Camera Types

Speed Cameras

Fixed speed enforcement camera locations of any type (Gatso, Peek, Truvelo, Monitron or SPECS). Notes: Until such time as Waze supports SPECS (Average Speed) Cameras natively, these should be recorded as a standard speed camera at each location (entry point, mid point(s) and exit point). Mobile speed cameras should not be reported in Waze, instead use the Report -> Police feature in the client.

Red Light Cameras

Red light camera locations of any type (Gatso or Monitron). Note: Some red light cameras such as Monitrons are capable of recording speed infringements as well as driving through a red light. Therefore you should set the speed limit for red light cameras as you would for speed cameras.

Fake Cameras

Fake cameras should only be reported for a dummy camera i.e. one that is masquerading as a speed or red light camera as defined above.

Reporting a Camera in the Client

To report a camera, press the report button at the bottom right hand side of the client screen. You will then be presented with the report Menu, from which you select "Camera".

All you need to do then is select the camera type and if it applies to your lane or the opposite one. Then simply press send.

Waze v3.x Report Menu

Waze v3.x Camera Screen

Waze v3.x Camera Screen

Notes:

1. The camera report will be placed on the map where you were when you pressed the "Report" button, so you can take your time to complete the other details as driving allows.
2. The camera will only appear in the client after it has been approved in Waze Map Editor.
3. Where a location has a camera in each direction, or it is reversible, two reports will be required.

Approving a Camera in Waze Map Editor

After a camera has been reported by a Wazer from the client, it will not appear on the live map until it has been approved in the Waze Map Editor. Before approval cameras appear in brown and once approved they change to grey.

Unapproved				Approved

(Note: The speed camera icons in the client do not have the old "30" logo as depicted still in Waze Map Editor)

Before approving a camera, the editor should exercise due diligence and investigate if there really is a camera at this location, being careful to rule out any duplicate(s) which has been reported and approved already. Many areas of the Waze map are flooded with cameras that are simply not out on the road. Use your judgement, if there is any doubt do not approve it but delete it.

Camera Placement

When reporting a camera from the Waze client it is not always possible to place it in the exact location required. Therefore, when approving a camera, the editor should examine clues on the map and aerial photography to assist in moving the camera to the correct position before approving it. You should be aware though that aerial photography (including road markings) and services such as Streetview are often out of date, so do not rely on them exclusively.

The identification guides for each camera type to be added to the Waze map aim to assist the editor in placing the camera in the correct position. Unfortunately every situation cannot be catered for in this guide so often the editor will have to use his/her judgement.

To move the camera select it and a circle will appear around it, the camera can then be moved anywhere in the circle. If it needs to be moved further then move it as far as allowed and save. Then use the "permalink" button at the bottom right of the editor screen to reload the page. Once reloaded the circle will be re-centred on the camera again, repeat until the camera is in the desired position.

Camera Orientation

Camera can be moved inside the circle

The red dot in front of the camera indicates the direction of travel and should be the same direction (facing the back of the car after it has driven past) regardless of camera type.

Note: A reversible camera will require two camera reports, one facing in each direction.

Setting Camera Speed

When the camera is selected you are able to enter the speed in the properties box as shown to the right. Setting the speed relating to a camera often leads to confusion in the UK since we work in Mph, but the Waze map uses Km/h. When setting speeds, refer to the conversion table below (rounded to nearest Km/h) and set the speed accordingly: Mph 20 30 40 50 60 70 Km/h 32 48 64 80 97 113

Notes:

1. In managed traffic zones with variable speed limits the speed should be set to the maximum permitted speed. (e.g 70mph=113km/h for the M42).
2. Some red light cameras such as Monitrons are capable of recording speed infringements as well as driving through a red light. Therefore you should set the speed limit for red light cameras as you would for speed cameras.
3. There is an issue with the units on the client, which affects when it triggers audio alerts.

Approving the Camera

Once the camera has been positioned and the speed has been correctly set in Km/h check the "Approved" box and save your changes. The camera will now appear in the live map and on the client once the changes have been processed. Be aware that this may take 2 weeks or more!

Cameras that should be reported

Gatso Speed Cameras

Gatso speed cameras are the most common speed camera type found in the UK and are rear facing, when triggered they will flash. They may be mounted on their own post (which may be reversible) or on an overhead gantry (common on motorway variable speed limit zones).

These cameras use radar to measure the speed of a vehicle and typically a series of markings is placed on the road in front of the camera, often on both lanes to catch drivers overtaking or driving on the wrong side of the road. These markings may also be behind the camera, this is a good indication of a reversible camera.

Where aerial photography is of good enough quality, it can be used to aid correct placement of the camera in Waze Map Editor.

Front of Gatso Camera [Image by Dave2084]	Rear of Gatso Camera [Image by Dave2084]
Gatso Camera Close-Up [Image by Dave2084]	Gatso Cameras on an Overhead Gantry [Image by Dave2084]
Gatso Camera Road Markings [Image by Dave2084]	Placement in Waze Map Editor [Image taken from Waze Map Editor]
Aerial view showing road markings [Image taken from Waze Map Editor]

Peek Speed Cameras

Peek speed cameras are similar to Gatso cameras in that they are rear facing and when triggered they will flash.

These cameras can use radar or sensors embedded in the road to measure the speed of a vehicle and typically no markings are painted on the road, though as older cameras are being upgraded to this new type of camera legacy markings may remain in the road.

Where aerial photography is of good enough quality, it can be used to aid correct placement of the camera in Waze Map Editor.

Front of Peek Camera [Image by Dave2084]	Rear of Peek Camera [Image by Dave2084]
Peek Camera Close-Up [Image by Dave2084]

Truvelo Speed Cameras

Truvelo cameras differ from Gatso and Peek cameras in that they are front facing, since they are Infra Red, when triggered you will NOT see any flash. They may also be configured in a rear facing arrangement although this is not common.

These cameras use sensors embedded in the road rather than radar to measure the speed of a vehicle and typically the road is marked with three white lines in front of the camera across one or both lanes. These markings may also be behind the camera, this is a good indication of a reversible camera.

Where aerial photography is of good enough quality, it can be used to aid correct placement of the camera in Waze Map Editor.

Front of Truvelo Camera [Image by Dave2084]	Rear of Truvelo Camera [Image by Dave2084]
Truvelo Camera Close-Up [Image by Dave2084]	Truvelo Camera Road Markings [Image by Dave2084]
Aerial view showing road markings [Image taken from Waze Map Editor]	Placement in Waze Map Editor [Image taken from Waze Map Editor]

SPECS Average Speed Cameras

SPECS (SPEed Check Services) is a system that uses number plate recognition to measure the time taken between two fixed points to monitor a driver's average speed.

This is not a standalone system, a SPECS zone may consist of two or more cameras at entry point, mid point(s) and exit point of the monitored zone.

Due to the passive nature of this system no road markings are required.

Where aerial photography is of good enough quality, it can be used to aid correct placement of the camera in Waze Map Editor.

SPECS Camera [Image by Dave2084]	SPECS Camera used in roadworks [Image by Dave2084]
SPECS Camera Close-Up [Image by Dave2084]	SPECS Camera Post Detail [Image by Dave2084]

Monitron Speed and Red Light Cameras

Monitron speed cameras (sometimes referred to as SpeedCurb or RedSpeed) are a new generation of digital cameras which can be configured as a speed AND/OR a red light camera.

These cameras use sensors embedded in the road rather than radar to measure the speed of a vehicle and typically no markings are painted on the road, though as older cameras are being upgraded to this new type of camera legacy markings may remain in the road.

Where aerial photography is of good enough quality, it can be used to aid correct placement of the camera in Waze Map Editor. If the camera is used as a red light camera then it should be placed on the stop line in Waze Map Editor.

Front of Monitron Camera [Image by Dave2084]	Rear of Monitron Camera [Image by Dave2084]
Monitron Camera Close-Up [Image by Dave2084]

Gatso Red Light Cameras

Gatso red light cameras are different to their speed detection counterparts and will be triggered when driving through a red light.

These cameras use radar to measure the speed of a vehicle and do not normally have any markings on the road other than the stop line for the traffic lights.

When approving a red light camera in Waze Map Editor it should be placed on the stop line.

Front of Gatso Red Light Camera [Image by Dave2084]	Rear of Gatso Red Light Camera [Image by Dave2084]
Gatso Red Light Camera Close-Up [Image by Dave2084]

Cameras that should not be reported

Mobile Speed Cameras

Mobile speed cameras should not be reported in Waze as by the time they are approved and appear in the client they will be long gone, instead use the Report -> Police feature in the client.

Van Mounted mobile Enforcement Camera [Image by Dave2084]

Be aware when using Report -> Police to report a mobile speed camera that there have been recent cases of motorists being prosecuted for flashing their headlights to warn other drivers that they are approaching a mobile speed trap. Whilst there have been no recorded cases of a Wazer (or other App user) being prosecuted you could potentially be liable for prosecution for reporting in this way!

Trafficmaster

Trafficmaster has a network of 5,200 traffic flow monitoring sensors used to update their real-time traffic services on UK motorways and trunk roads. These sensors are not used for speed or red light enforcement and so should not be reported in Waze.

Trafficmaster Sensor (Blue Variant) [Image by Dave2084]

Congestion Charge Zone Cameras

The London Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ) uses cameras to record vehicles entering or leaving the zone, these are not used for speed or red light enforcement and so should not be reported in Waze.
[Images to Follow]

Automatic Number Plate Recognition

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras may be used for a number of enforcement functions including: Valid Tax, MoT Test, Insurance, Parking, Yellow-box violations and checking criminal activity. At this time however, they are not used for speed or red light enforcement and so should not be reported in Waze.
[Images to Follow]

Driver Feedback Signs

Electronic signs that warn you if speeding and may or may not tell you your speed.
[Images to Follow]

Camera Warning Signs

Signs that warn the drivers of possible cameras in the area should not be reported, even as a fake camera.

Red Light Camera Warning Sign [Image by Dave2084]

Average Speed Check Warning Sign [Image by Dave2084]

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