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: SPECS type cameras should be mapped as Average Speed Zones. 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, Monitron, RedSpeed or Level Crossing). Note: Some red light cameras such as Monitron and RedSpeed are capable of recording speed limit violations as well as driving through a red light, however, the speed for all red light cameras should be set to zero so that you are always warned of their presence.

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. They should not be reported for signs or locations where there are road markings only.

(Note: The speed camera icons in the client v3.7.7 are different to those in Waze Map Editor)

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 v3.7.7 Report Menu

Waze v3.7.7 Camera Screen

Waze v3.7.7 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.
4. Average Speed Zones should be mapped by setting the flags on the affected segments.

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 v3.7.7 are different to those 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 and Approving the Camera

When the camera is selected you are able to enter the speed in the properties box in Mph as shown to the right. When the speed is set the Wazer will receive an audible warning in the client when approaching the camera whist exceeding the speed set. If no speed is set the Wazer will always receive an audible warning. Once the camera has been positioned and the speed has been correctly set in Mph 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!

Notes:

1. In managed traffic zones with variable speed limits the speed should be set to the maximum permitted speed. (e.g 70mph for the M42).
2. Some red light cameras such as Monitron and RedSpeed are capable of recording speed limit violations as well as driving through a red light, however, the speed for all red light cameras should be set to zero so that you are always warned of their presence.

Removing an Approved Camera

An approved camera (grey), will only appear on the subsequent live-map update to its approval. If the camera is to be removed, there are two removal mechanisms available:

Waze Map Editor

An editor has the option of deleting approved and unapproved cameras from the map simply by highlighting it and pressing the delete key or the "Bin" button in the Editor. It should be noted however, that editors can only delete an approved camera if their editing rank is equal to or greater than that that of the editor who originally approved it.

Waze Client

When approaching a camera the user receives a caption warning them of the camera, this caption has a "Not there" button. Each time this happens the users editing rank is added to a running total. When the total is equal to or greater than the rank of the user who approved the camera then it becomes un-approved. At this stage anyone can delete it or it can be re-approved.

Note: Each time the "Not there" button is used the last edit date for the camera is updated in WME, however the last editor name is not changed.

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]

Gatso "Smart Pole" Speed Cameras

The Gatso Smart Pole is a new camera variant being deployed around the UK which uses the same technology as the standard digital Gatso cameras introduced in 2007 with a vandal resistant pole. As with the standard unit it is rear facing, and when triggered will flash.

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

Take care not to confuse these cameras with Level Crossing Cameras which are similar in appearance.

Front of Gatso Smart Pole Camera [Image by Twister-UK]

Rear of Gatso Smart Pole Camera [Image by Twister-UK]

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]

Watchman Speed Cameras

Watchman cameras are quite unique among UK safety cameras in that they are an integrated system with a number of sensors comprising a speed warning board and a camera both with their own radar as shown below. At this time it is not clear if these cameras are type approved by the Home Office (and thus able to be used for prosecution).

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

Watchman system viewed from the rear [Image by Dave2084]	Watchman camera viewed from the front [Image by Dave2084]
Watchman speed warning board [Image by Dave2084]	Close up of Watchman camera [Image by Dave2084]

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.

There are a number of camera types in use as shown in the images, however, the Type B SPECS cameras are now in use on overhead gantries on the approaches to the QE2 Bridge (Dartford Crossing) and M60 J26 Clockwise.

These should be mapped using the new Average Speed Zones feature.

SPECS Camera Type A [Image by Dave2084]	SPECS Camera Type A Close-Up [Image by Dave2084]
SPECS Camera Type B [Image by Dave2084]	SPECS Camera Type C [Image by Dave2084]
SPECS Cameras on an Overhead Gantry [Image by Dave2084]

Monitron Speed and Red Light Cameras

Monitron speed cameras (sometimes referred to as SpeedCurb) 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]

RedSpeed Speed and Red Light Cameras

These are new type of combined Speed and Red Light Camera.

New RLC Camera Type [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]

Level Crossing Cameras

Take care not to confuse these cameras with Gatso "Smart Pole" Cameras which are similar in appearance.

Level Crossing Camera [Image by Moley_uk]

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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