Parking Lot Road
Parking lots, along with other publicly accessible roads that should not be used for traffic routing unless directly at the start or end point of a route. Parking Lot Roads (aka "PLRs") have an absolute penalty when transiting the Parking Lot road segment. This prevents all routes from using a Parking Lot Roads segment or a network of PLR segments
This section was updated as of April 24, 2023[update] to clarify when to use PLRs vs Private Roads , especially in regards to alleys. |
- Use Parking Lot Road type for all necessary segments in the Parking Lot. See this additional page for more details on how to map parking lots.
- Parking Lot Road type should be used inside Apartment Complexes, Schools, and Universities unless it meets the criteria for Private Road found in the next section below.
- Parking Lot Roads can be used to avoid "missing road" automated Map Problem reports.
- Parking Lot Roads can be used to prevent Waze from assuming drivers driving slowly or parked in the parking lot are in a traffic jam on the main road -- draw in the drivable portions of the parking lot that are near outside roadways.
- Waze will not highlight slow speeds (automatically detected traffic jams) on Parking Lot Roads .
Information on mapping a parking lot landmark "place" is covered here.
Private Road
Private roads are useful for the following situations:
- Alleys
- Gated communities with controlled access
- Schools and Universities (gates / guard)
- Businesses with controlled access (gates / guard)
- Campgrounds or trailer parks (designed for short term guests)
However, using private roads in some of these situations may require more complex mapping as covered in the article Private Installations. Be sure to read through that article before setting a whole neighborhood to all private roads.
A route over a Private Road segment will incur a transition penalty upon leaving it for another road type. This transition penalty keeps Waze from routing Wazers through a private area as a shortcut. Unlike Parking Lot Roads , however, for Private Roads this penalty is not absolute, and if there is no other option to reach the destination, Waze routes will cross a Private Road segment.
For Private Road segments, the Routing server uses real-time and average road speeds, including turn delays. This contrasts to Parking Lot Road segments, which use a flat default speed which doesn't account for turn delays or impacts.
- Using Private Roads for alleys has several benefits. First, the transition penalty will prevent through routes. Second, using real-time and average speeds will account for delays when crossing other segments. Finally, the high, but not absolute, transition penalty will allow use of an alley as a last resort detour in case of a nearby real-time closure.
- Never use the Private Road type for unrestricted public roads
- Do not use the Private Road type to try to force waze to route around slow (damaged or under construction) public roads. Talk to a routing expert to find out if there are any good solutions.
- Private Road may be used for a public street that has a legally enforceable sign for local traffic only.
- Waze will highlight slow speeds (automatically detected traffic jams) on Private Roads .