Australian Place Style Guide View history

All Places need to comply with the Waze editing philosophy, only add places that are relevant to Waze's function as a navigation app - that is, possible destinations, or features that aid orientation. Other types of places aren't in line with the Waze map editing goal of SIMPLICITY.

If you decide you want to create a Place in the editor, the best way to ensure it doesn't need constant maintenance, is to do it right the first time. Fill in all the information you possibly can, don't just add Places to the map because it's there. 

Creation Requirements

At a bare minimum, your created Place needs to have:

  • Title/Name
  • Relevant Category

And a best effort for the following information: (be aware some fields may not need filling in, depending on the type of Place)

  • Address
  • Short, Accurate and Unbiased description
    By this we mean no opinions on a particular Place, stick to the facts or don't add Places at all.
  • Entry point (this aids more in Area Place navigation to ensure the route goes to the correct street.
  • Appropriate Lock Level (more on this below).
  • Appropriate use of Area/Point Places
    Most Places should be a Point Place. The exceptions are water bodies, parks, relevant places that can be used at a glance to orient the driver, and Places that should be shown on the map (petrol stations). See When to use Area/Point
  • Website and/or Phone (if available)
    Do NOT use Facebook, even if it's the company's official Facebook page. You must use a website that belongs directly to the business owner, not any third party hosting site. Check that the website doesn't prohibit linking without permission. Their Terms & Conditions page will usually include any restrictions. Australia Post, for example, requires a formal approval process.
  • Accurate Services (some check-boxes may not apply to a certain type of place)
  • Opening hours (if set, not variable)

Note

  • [L2+] If possible, add an external provider. This not only assists with making sure the place is in the correct spot, it also allows us to link that place to the Google Result.
  • Don't stretch Area Places so that they intersect with road segments, they should come a little bit back from the road, as this avoids problems with editing geometry of both segments & Places.
    Correct mapping of a Place to the actual area

Locking

At a maximum for most places lock level, not under Vandalism or any special circumstances, should be 3. See the table below for more detail.

Examples:

Petrol station with all data filled out and complete, L3.

Petrol station with name and minimal info, L2.

Park in the suburbs, with no data, L1

Park with all relevant data added and nothing left to add, L2.

Sydney Harbour (complex geometrical shape, necessary for orientation on Waze map), L3.

Common Issues

  • For your first 10 Places, you will need the changes reviewed by another editor. Once you have 10 approvals, you may create places without immediate moderation.
  • External Providers can be added only by L2 or higher editors. If you try to as L1, your Place will not Save.

Table of Places (in progress)

Parent category type Lock Level comments
min max
Car Services - Point 1 3
Car Services Petrol Station Area 2 3
Car Services Garage / Car Mechanic Point 1 3
Car Services Car Wash Point 1 3
Car Services Charging Station Point 1 3 These are electric car charging points.
Transportation - Point 1 3
Transportation Airport
Transportation Bus Station
Transportation Ferry Terminal
Transportation Marina / Harbour
Transportation Underground Station
Transportation Railway Station
Transportation Bridge
Transportation Tunnel
Transportation Taxi Rank
Transportation Junction / Interchange
Professional and public - Point 1 3
Professional and public College / University
Professional and public School
Professional and public Conventions / Event Centre
Professional and public Government
Professional and public Library
Professional and public City Hall
Professional and public Organisation or Association
Professional and public Prison / Detention Centre
Professional and public Courthouse
Professional and public Cemetery
Professional and public Fire Station
Professional and public Police Station
Professional and public Military
Professional and public Hospital / Urgent Care
Professional and public Doctor / Clinic
Professional and public Offices
Professional and public Post Office
Professional and public Religious Centre
Professional and public Playgroup / Nursery
Professional and public Factory / Industrial
Professional and public Embassy / Consulate
Professional and public Information Point
Professional and public Emergency Shelter