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For Road Types in the editor see [[Road Types (USA)]]
{{Hatnote| This article covers the <strong>naming conventions</strong> of roads. For the types of roads, see [[Road types]].}}


''This page covers road names for the country listed in the page title. For other countries see [[How_to_label_and_name_roads|this page]].''
==Road naming==


==Road Naming==
All roads in our base maps came with the names as defined in the US TIGER dataset.


'''NOTE''': we are in the process of revising the names as they appear in WME. In the near future we may be able to display alternate names for each segment / road, and choose which one of these is the 'common' name. <br/>
However, you might notice a few problems with the original road names:
If you are not sure about changing the name of a road, it is best to ask in the forum or wait until the changes described above are implemented.
Some of the names are not the 'common' names (usually, Waze will display the 'name' of the highway while most people know this highway by its number).
 
On other examples, the same highway will have a different name on each side (for example, US Hwy 101 going North, and Bayshore Fwy going South).
 
Some roads actually have two 'common' names (for example, the NJ Turnpike is also I-95 and both are relevant names), but currently, we can only display one name per road.
 
For all these issues, we ask that you currently leave the situation as is. We are working on a few fixes, that will automate the proper naming and also allow multiple names for each segments (with a 'Primary' name as the one being displayed, but other names that bring up the same search results).
 
'''NOTE''': In the future we may be able to display alternate names for each segment / road, and choose which one of these is the 'common' name. This is also true for road shield generation which is partially broken so shields may or may not be displayed in your area.
 
===Concurrent names===
====Overlapping Highways====
When two or more numbered highways (or interstates) run concurrently (one stretch of road has multiple route numbers), the segment should be named after the '''primary''' route designation, which usually has one or more of the following attributes:
 
*The route whose mile markers are used for the concurrent segments
*The route whose exit numbers are used for the concurrent segments
*When the concurrency ends, the route whose path does '''not''' get signed as a numbered exit.
 
The other route number(s) can be entered as alternate names.  If alternate names are entered, be sure not to introduce any alternate name discontinuities which may trigger the [[Detour Prevention Mechanisms|big detour prevention mechanism]]. In particular, use cardinal (directional) names on divided highways for both primary and alternate names.
 
====Surface-level highways through cities/towns====
In situations where a highway passes through a town, the road in those areas is typically named something other than the numbered route. In these situations the road should be named based on the following conditions:
 
*If the local street signs provide guidance with the local name, that should be used as the primary name in the Waze map. The numbered route should be added as an alternate name.
*If the local signs only indicate the route number, then that should be the primary name and the local road name should be added as an alternate name.
 
====Local freeway names and significant bridges====
Sometimes, a numbered freeway will also have a local name or will traverse a named [[Places/Bridge|bridge]].
 
*If the local name or bridge name is used on signage, in broadcast traffic reports, and/or colloquial conversation, the local name or bridge name should be added to the primary name after the primary route designation, separated by a bullet " • ".
**This is done primarily to improve clarity and precision of traffic, incident, and closure reports, where including the local name or bridge name can make such reports easier to understand at a glance, more precise as to their specific location, or both.
*Examples:
**I-94 W • Dan Ryan Expwy
**M-10 N • Lodge Fwy
**I-5 N • Santa Ana Fwy
**I-495 E • Long Island Expwy
**I-10 E • Bonnet Carré Spillway Br
**US-90 BUS W • Crescent City Connection
 
===Highways===
 
====Interstate Highways [[Image:I-95.svg.png|28px]]  [[Image:I-695.svg.png|35px]]====
 
:Components of the Interstate Highway System should be denoted as shown:
::'''I-10 E''' for Interstate 10, Eastbound
::'''I-310 S''' for Interstate 310, Southbound
::'''I-35E N''' for Interstate 35E, Northbound (Letter suffixes are only in Minnesota and Texas)
:Nearly all interstates are divided highways by necessity, and they should be drawn as such in the map for navigational accuracy.
 
====United States Numbered Highways  [[Image:US 20.svg.png|30px]]====
 
Certain formatting guidelines must be followed to ensure that highway shields are shown in the Live Map and in the client. Note that map shield generation is not implemented for all situations, so some roads will not display a shield.  Waze has said that there will eventually be a process allowing map editors to add shields to road segments in a way that is not connected to the name of that segment.
 
;US Highways
:Federal highways should be denoted as follows. Note that the trailing N, S, E, W cardinal direction indicator is used for numbered highways and interstates which are divided into two 1-way segments, [[Best_map_editing_practice#When_.28Not.29_to_Split_a_Two-Way_Road|per the guidelines]].


'''IMPORTANT! Due to upgrades in the client, some naming conventions have changed. The altered conventions will be marked with a bolded *NEW*.''' These changes have now been finalized. Thank you for your cooperation.
::'''US-61 S''' for U.S. Highway 61, Southbound
::'''US-425 W''' for U.S. Highway 425, Westbound
::'''US-90 BUS S''' for U.S. Highway 90 Business, Southbound
:::(note that BUS should be all uppercase for TTS to pronounce as "business".  "Bus", "bus", etc. will pronounce as "Bus".)
::'''US-90 ALT E''' for U.S. Highway 90 Alternate, Eastbound
::'''US-199 SPUR''' for U.S. Highway 199 Spur


<blockquote>'''NOTE:''' All roads in our base maps came with the names as defined in the US TIGER dataset. <br/>
:Refer to the [[#Concurrent_names|concurrent names]] section to determine if the US highway name should be the primary name when traveling through cities & towns.
However, you might notice a few problems with the original road names:
Some of the names are not the 'common' names (usually, waze will display the 'name' of the hwy while most people know this hwy by its number) <br/>
On other examples, the same highway will have a different name on each side (for example, US Hwy 101 going North, and Bayshore Fwy going South).<br/>
Some roads actually have two 'common' names (for example, the NJ Turnpike is also I- 95 and both are relevant names), but currently we can only display one name per road.<br/>


For all these issues, we ask that you currently leave the situation as is. We are working on a few fixes, that will automate the proper naming and also allow multiple names for each segments (with a 'Primary' name as the one being displayed, but other names that bring up the same search results).</blockquote>
====State highways  [[Image:State Hwy Sign 35.svg.png|30px]] [[Image:South_Carolina_170.svg.png|38px]] [[Image:Florida_60.svg.png|30px]] [[Image:Louisiana 3234.svg.png|30px]] [[Image:Alabama_5.svg.png|30px]] [[Image:MT-sec-326.svg.png|30px]] [[Image:North_Dakota_23.svg.png|30px]] [[Image:Hawaii_marker.png|30px]]====
The Live Map will parse "State Rte xx" and "State Hwy yyy" and show a sign badge. However, as different states have different naming conventions (and different shields), this is not optimal for ramps.  


===United States Interstate Highway System  [[Image:I-95.svg.png|28px]]  [[Image:I-695.svg.png|35px]]===
Follow your state's naming conventions as defined in the [[highway naming]] by state table.  
: Components of the Interstate Highway System should be denoted as shown:
:: '''I-10 E''' for Interstate 10, Eastbound
:: '''I-310 S''' for Interstate 310, Southbound
:: '''I-35E N''' for Interstate 35E, Northbound (Only I-35E & I-35W in Minnesota and Texas)
: Nearly all interstates are divided highways by necessity, and they should be drawn as such in the map for navigational accuracy.


: When two or more interstates run concurrently (one stretch of road has multiple route numbers), the segment should be named after the '''primary''' of the routes.  The primary route will usually have one or more of the following attributes:
The same notes and examples for U.S. Highways above applies for state highways.  Refer to the [[#Concurrent_names|concurrent names]] section to determine if the state route name should be the primary name when traveling through cities & towns. State routes may also be divided if it [[Best_map_editing_practice#When_.28Not.29_to_Split_a_Two-Way_Road|meets the guidelines]].
:* The route whose mile markers are used for the concurrent segment
:* The route whose exit numbers are used for the concurrent segment
:* When the concurrency ends, the route whose path does '''not''' get signed as a numbered exit.
: The other route number or numbers can be entered as alt names, but shields are currently not being generated for alt names.


===United States Numbered Highways [[Image:US 20.svg.png|30px]]===
====County and township highways and roads [[Image:Baldwin County Route 64 AL.svg.png|35px]] [[Image:St Louis County Route 7 MN.svg.png|35px]]====


The naming of highways is, of course, somewhat more complex than that of normal roads.  Therefore, conventions must be followed to assure consistency throughout the map.
Text to speech on the client reads CR- as "County Road." So "CR-10" is read as "County Road Ten"


Certain formatting guidelines must be followed to ensure that highway shields are shown in the Live Map and in the client.
Where road names are the same as cardinal directions (N, S, E, W), [[Road_names#United_States_Numbered_Highways|no special modification is necessary]] so that the voice prompt will read the letter and not say it as a direction. Ensure there are no spaces between the hyphen and the letter. Double or triple-letter roads with directional letters (e.g. CR-EN, CR-SAL) will not be spoken as directions but might be pronounced as if a word.


; US Highways
There is no other TTS abbreviation for county-owned roads in any capacity except those listed here. For these reasons: that county shields may someday be supported (and a named standard makes this easier to implement), and for brevity's sake in turn instructions and map displays, it is suggested (but by no means required) that individual states adopt one of these standards;
: Federal highways should be denoted as follows. Note that the trailing N, S, E, W cardinal direction indicator is used for numbered highways and interstates which are split into two 1-way segments, [[Best_map_editing_practice#When_.28Not.29_to_Split_a_Two-Way_Road|per the guidelines]].
:: '''US Hwy 61 S''' for U.S. Highway 61, Southbound
:: '''US Hwy 90 W''' for U.S. Highway 425, Westbound
:: '''US Hwy 90 Bus S''' for U.S. Highway 90 Business, Southbound
:: '''US Hwy 90 Alt E''' for U.S. Highway 90 Alternate, Eastbound
:: '''US Hwy 199 Spur''' for U.S. Highway 199 Spur


:: '''NOTE:''' In Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi use the US-xx format. California is currently considering this convention as well.
*CR-
: U.S. Highways will often have local road names (such as Airline Hwy for US-61 and Claiborne Ave for US-90, among others).  Use these street names as the '''primary''' name for such highways if said name is used for addresses of houses and businesses along the highway.
*CH-
*TR-
*TH-


===State Highways  [[Image:State Hwy Sign 35.svg.png|30px]] [[Image:South_Carolina_170.svg.png|38px]] [[Image:Florida_60.svg.png|30px]] [[Image:Louisiana 3234.svg.png|30px]] [[Image:Alabama_5.svg.png|30px]] [[Image:MT-sec-326.svg.png|30px]] [[Image:North_Dakota_23.svg.png|30px]]===
Another standard in use (which is longer, but you may see) is 'County Hwy XX'. The shortened format of CH- is available and is encouraged to be adopted when CR- is not appropriate.
; State Highways
: The Live Map will parse "State Rte xx" and "State Hwy yyy" and show a sign badge. However, as different states have different naming conventions (and different shields), this is not optimal for ramps. Local naming conventions are preferred for ramps and exits; this will be discussed below. Consistency within each state is key. '''*NEW*'''
: The same note for U.S. Highways above applies for state highways.  LA-308 in Golden Meadow should have "E Main St" as its primary name since that is the name used in addresses of houses and businesses along the highway.
: State routes may also be split if it [[Best_map_editing_practice#When_.28Not.29_to_Split_a_Two-Way_Road|meets the guidelines]]. Similar to interstates and US highways, state routes are named as follows:
:: '''State Hwy 6''' for state route/highway 6
:: '''State Hwy 99W S''' for state route 99W, southbound
:: '''State Rte 96''' for state route 96
:: '''NOTE:''' In Florida and Mississippi use the SR-xxx format. California is considering the use of SR-xxx. In Louisiana, use the LA-xxx format.


===County Highways / County Roads  [[Image:Baldwin County Route 64 AL.svg.png|35px]] [[Image:St Louis County Route 7 MN.svg.png|35px]]===
Many states have adopted the short format '''CR-xxx''' instead of the longer format. See the [[highway naming]] by state table for specific formatting of each state.


Text to speech on the client will read CR as "County Road."  So "CR-10" will be read as "County Road Ten"
:Also, refer to the [[#Concurrent_names|concurrent names]] section when the highway passes through a city or town that also has a local name for the road.


County highways should be named like "County Hwy 123". Don't use the abbreviation "Co" because the voice prompts will not read it as "County".
For regions that have township highways, the shortened formats of TH- and TR- are also available.


Where road names are the same as cardinal directions (N, S, E, W), place the letter designator in quotes ("N") so that the voice prompt will read the letter and not say it as a direction.


===Exit ramps and Entrance ramps (on-ramps)===
===Ramps and wayfinders{{Anchor|Exit|Entrance|Ramp}}===
[[Image:Exit1.JPG|right|200px]][[Image:Exit2.jpg|right|200px]]
[[Image:Exit1.JPG|right|200px]][[Image:Exit2.jpg|right|200px]]
Exit ramps and Entrance ramps are to be set as Ramp road type. The name of the ramp should match the exit or entrance signage as closely as possible. Minimal disparity between sign and instruction is our goal. If done properly, the driver will not have to struggle to compare Waze's on-screen or verbal instructions with what he or she sees in real life on the road.
Exit ramps and Entrance ramps are to be set as {{Ramp}} road type. The name of the ramp should match the exit or entrance signage as closely as possible. If the Waze instructions and display are different from the sign on the exit, Wazers may be unsure about which exit to take. Include everything that is present on the last sign prior to the exit. Do not combine all possible pre-ramp signage into the single ramp segment name.
* If the exit sign shows a number as well as a street or highway name, the exit ramp should be named "Exit 24: Schwarzenegger Rd".
 
** A colon has been added because it adds a pause, making Text-to-Speech directions easier to understand.
====Generally====
* If the exit is not numbered, "Exit to Kindergarten Ct" will do.
Ramp names should generally match signage as closely as possible. This maximizes driver confidence.
* If the exit number is assigned and designated by the local roadway agency, but does not yet appear on the sign, it is OK to include the exit number in advance of it appearing on the road sign. This prevents additional updates later when the numbered sign is added to the roadway and it helps visual guidance when other exits before that one are numbered. Drivers can better anticipate their approaching exit.
 
* If a single exit serves multiple roads, use a slash with leading and trailing spaces: "Exit 32: Terminator Blvd / Total Recall Rd".
A ramp name is made up of one or more '''elements''', separated by '''separators'''.
* If an exit number contains one or more letters, include it exactly as displayed on the sign: "Exit 33B: Running Man St", or "Exits 35C-B-A: Junior Dr / Twins Ave / Jingle Allthe Way". '''*NEW*'''
 
* Include everything that is present on the last sign prior to the exit. Do not combine all possible pre-ramp signage into the single ramp segment name.
*'''Elements''' of a ramp name include:
* If the exit off the main interstate or highway serves multiple exits further down the road, it may be advisable not to name the first exit ramp, but rather name only the ramps which are the first one to a distinct destination. The Waze client will give all the proper exit and keep left or right instructions to guide the driver to the correct exit, even if the first one is not named. That said, this should only be done if the signage for the first ramp is the same as that on the subsequent, named ramp.
**Road names
**Highway numbers (usually shields)
**Control cities
**Other non-city destinations
**Exit numbers
*'''Separators''' used in ramp names include:
**'''Slash ( / )''', used when elements are <u>alternatives</u> to each other (e.g., alternative destinations). The TTS engine will generate a pause in its place.
**'''Bullet ( • )''', used when two elements refer to alternative names for <u>the same thing</u>. The TTS engine will generate a pause in its place.
*** The bullet can be typed by holding the Option key and pressing 8 on macOS; by holding Alt and pressing 7 (or 0149) on the number pad in Windows; or by holding Ctrl and Shift, pressing U, releasing these, and pressing 2022 on Chrome OS. As an alternative to keyboard input, copy and paste it from this article.
**'''"Toward" character ( » )''', used when one element takes you <u>toward</u> the following element. The TTS engine will say "toward" in its place.
***The "toward" character can be typed by pressing Option-Shift-\ on macOS, by holding Alt and pressing 0187 on the number pad in Windows, or by pressing Ctrl-Shift-U then typing 00BB on Chrome OS. Or, copy and paste it from this article.
 
All ramp names use the same general format, with slight modifications for different situations. The three basic forms of ramp names are as follows:
 
*Numbered exit: {{nowrapcode|Exit [number]: [element] [/ or • or »] [element] [/ or • or »] [element]}}
*All other ramps: {{nowrapcode|to [element] [/ or • or »] [element] [/ or • or »] [element]}} (unnumbered exits, on-ramps, etc.)
*Wayfinder: {{nowrapcode|[element] [/ or • or »] [element] [/ or • or »] [element]}}
 
====Exit ramps====
Generally, the name of an exit ramp segment should be named using the last sign, closest to (or at) the exit.
 
*Remember to abbreviate common words according to [[abbreviations and acronyms]].
*See [[Junction Style Guide/Interchange#Ramp fork naming|Ramp fork naming in the Junction Style Guide]] for what to do when the off-ramp from main interstate or highway serves multiple exits further down the ramp.
 
=====Numbered exits=====
If an exit is signed and numbered, start with the word "Exit", followed by the exit number, followed by a colon (": "), followed by all the other '''elements''' on the sign, separated by the appropriate '''separators'''.
 
*{{nowrapcode|Exit [number]: [element] [/ or • or »] [element] [/ or • or »] [element]}} ''(as needed)''
 
For example,
{| class="wikitable"
|+Exit naming and separators
!Road name
!Why?
!How TTS will pronounce it
|-
|Exit 16: I-33 » Bananaville / Celery Town
|I-33 takes you toward either Bananaville or Celerytown (depending on which direction you go).
|"Exit 16, I-33 toward Bananaville, Celery Town"
|-
|Exit 19A: US-22 N » Critter Hollow / Goop City
|Northbound US-22 takes you toward both Critter Hollow and Goop City.
|"Exit 19A, US-22 North toward Critter Hollow, Goop City"
|-
|Exit 24: US-103 • Schwarzenegger Rd
|US-103 and Schwarzenegger Rd are alternative names for the same road.
|"Exit 24, US-103, Schwarzenegger Road"
|-
|Exit 32: Terminator Blvd / Total Recall Rd
|The exit takes you to either of these roads; neither road takes you to the other.
|"Exit 32, Terminator Boulevard, Total Recall Road"
|-
|Exit 33B: Running Man St
|
|"Exit 33B, Running Man Street"
|-
|Exit 35C-B-A: Junior Dr / Twins Ave / Jingleallthe Way
|The exit takes you to these three roads independently; none has a "towards" relationship with the next.
|"Exit 35 C B A, Junior Drive, Twins Avenue, Jingleallthe Way"
|-
|Exit 1E: SR-1000 E » Sarah Connor Blvd
|The exit takes you directly to SR-1000 eastbound, which in turn takes you to Sarah Connor Blvd.
|"Exit 1 E, State Route 1000 East toward Sarah Connor Boulevard"
|}
Note:
 
*If an exit number contains one or more letters, include it exactly as displayed on the sign. Separate sub-exit letters with a hyphen.
**Do not leave spaces between the number and letter, between hyphens and adjacent letters, or between the last letter and the colon.
*Note that, if the exit number contains one of the cardinal directions (N, S, E, W), that letter will be pronounced as a letter, not as the corresponding compass direction. For example, the above example will be pronounced "Exit One ''E'', State Route One Thousand ''East'' toward Sarah Connor Boulevard".
*If the Exit has an official number that is documented elsewhere, but this exit number does not appear on any signs, do not use it to name the exit ramp. Waze instructions should match the signs where possible to avoid confusion. Check your [[Mapping resources|state's page]] for any local exceptions to this rule.
 
=====Signed, unnumbered exits=====
If an exit is signed and unnumbered, start with the word "to" (lowercase) and follow with all elements on the sign, separated with the appropriate separators:
 
*{{nowrapcode|to [element] [/ or »] [element] [/ or »] [element]}} ''(as needed)''
*''e.g.'',
**{{nowrapcode|to SR-33 / Kindergarten Ct}} (the exit takes you to either SR-33 or Kindergarten Ct)
**{{nowrapcode|to US-99 » Crazytown}} (US-99 takes you toward Crazytown)
 
=====Unsigned exits=====
If there is no sign at the exit, start with the word "to" (lowercase) and follow with the name of the road the ramp leads to.  If that road has both a route number and a local name, use the route number first, followed by a slash, followed by the local name. If only a local name or only a highway designation are present, use only that. The goal is to avoid confusing the driver.
 
*{{nowrapcode|to [element] [/ or • or »] [element]}} ''(as needed)''
*''e.g.'', {{nowrapcode|to US-12 • Michigan Ave}}
 
====Entrance ramps====
Entrance ramps should be named similarly to unnumbered exits, following the format {{nowrapcode|to [element] [/ or »] [element]}}, etc. A typical entrance ramp should follow the format {{nowrapcode|to [road name of highway] [direction] » [control city]}}, where those elements are present—even if the control city is on a separate sign.
 
*{{nowrapcode|to [element] [/ or • or »] [element]}} ''(as needed)''
*{{nowrapcode|to [highway name] [direction] » [control city] / [control city]}}
 
For example,
 
*{{nowrapcode|to I-10 W » Baton Rouge}}
*{{nowrapcode|to Clearview Pkwy N » Mandeville}}
*{{nowrapcode|to US-90 BUS W}}
*{{nowrapcode|to LA-1 » Thibodaux / Lockport}}
*{{nowrapcode|to I-10 E • US-90 E » Lafayette}}
 
Note:
 
*If signs before the on-ramp provide multiple destination information, combine them into the single on-ramp name.
**''e.g.'', {{nowrapcode|to US-90 BUS W / to I-10 W » Miss River Br / Baton Rouge}}
*The highway name and direction should always come before the control city, even if signage is presented in the opposite order.
*Do not omit the word "to", because this could cause confusion with, say, the "Select entire street" function. [[Glossary#Text_to_Speech|Text-to-speech (TTS)]] instructions will deal properly with the word "to" when it constructs turn instructions.
*Do not use "Ramp to" (this would result in [turn right / exit right] to ramp to ...)
*Compass directions (such as "West" or "Westbound") accompanying highway shields and road names should be [[Abbreviations and acronyms|abbreviated]] using single-letter abbreviations, such as {{nowrapcode|W}}.
**e.g., the legend "WEST" above a shield for I-10 should be entered as {{nowrapcode|I-10 W}}
**Do not spell out compass directions (such as "West" or "Westbound") which accompany highway shields and road names. Do not use "WB" or other non-approved abbreviations, as they are not supported by the TTS engine.
*When multiple on-ramps combine before merging into the main interstate or highway, it is advised to name the last common ramp with the conventions listed above. This will usually be the last ramp which is the one which actually joins the main interstate or highway.
*When naming ramps and exits that lead to state highways, refer to the road naming conventions listed in [[Highway naming]] and cross-reference the state's wiki page (therein linked).
**New Jersey: {{nowrapcode|to SR-45 » Passaic}}
**Louisiana:  {{nowrapcode|to LA-308 » Raceland}}
**North Carolina: {{nowrapcode|to NC-55 » Winston-Salem}}
 
===Un-mapped and new streets===
 
Sometimes, there is a brand new road we aren't sure of the name yet, it is okay to leave the name of the road blank by marking the "None" checkbox next to the '''Name''' field in the [[Creating and editing road segments#Address Properties|Address Properties]] in the editor. Always make sure to choose the proper [[Road types|road type]] and [[Creating and editing road segments#Confirm the road by updating details|confirm the other road details]] to ensure that the road appears on the client app. Add a [[map comment]] to let other editors know that the name is missing and to check at a later time if more information is available.
 
===Incomplete segments or red roads===


For entrance ramps, use this format: "to [street name] [direction] / [control city]", where applicable.  For example,
[[File:Incomplete.jpg|right|120px|Incomplete.jpg]] Be sure to select country, state, enter the city name or check "None", and enter a street name, or check "None". Until you do this, your road will not be routable and will not show on the client map. These incomplete segments are colored bright red in WME.
* "to I-10 W / Baton Rouge"
* "to Clearview Pkwy N / Mandeville"
* "to US Hwy 90 Bus W"
* "to LA-1 Thibodaux / Lockport" '''*NEW*'''
* Similar to combined exit ramps, when multiple on-ramps combine before merging into the main interstate or highway, it is advised to name the last common ramp with the conventions listed above. This will usually be the last ramp which is the one which actually joins the main interstate or highway.
* Using "Ramp to", "West", "WB", and "Westbound" should be avoided as "WB" is pronounced "double-you bee" and not 'westbound.'  Further, the "to" will be automatically omitted from Text-to-Speech instructions. Do not omit the word "to", because this could cause confusion with, say, the "Select entire street" function.
* '''State highways:''' When naming ramps and exits that lead to state highways, local naming should be used. This will maximize the clarity of navigation prompts for the majority of users in a given area. '''*NEW*''' For example,
** In New Jersey, highways are generally colloquially referred to as "routes". To distinguish from other (federal) highways, a sign for State Route 45 in New Jersey should say "to State Rte 45". In this case, the abbreviation "to SR-45" may also be used.
** In Louisiana, state highways are generally colloquially referred to as "LA" (ell-ay) followed by the highway number. A ramp to Louisiana Highway 308 should be say "to LA-308".
** In North Carolina (NC), state routes are generally colloquially referred to as "NC" followed by the route number. A ramp to NC Highway 55 should be say "to NC-55".
* Similar to exit ramps, put multiple destination information, even from multiple signage, onto the single on-ramp name. Major destinations or highways/interstates can be included, but don't go crazy and add every possible town and city in that direction.  "to US Hwy 90 Bus W to I-10 W Miss River Br / Baton Rouge" is fine.


===New streets===
This must be done on all streets created in WME and on all streets created with the client "[[Pave]]" road function.


In some cases, there are brand new roads that do not yet have a name visible to drivers. Or the person who used the pave option did not leave a note for the name of the new road. In these cases, it is OK to leave the name of the road blank by marking "none" for the [[Creating_and_Editing_street_segments#Address_Properties|Address Properties]] field in the editor, but make sure to choose the proper [[Road_Types_(USA)|road type]] and [[Creating_and_Editing_street_segments#Confirm_the_road_by_updating_details|confirm the other road details]] to ensure the road appears on the client app.
"Paved" streets must also be connected to their adjacent roads, and [[Creating and editing road segments#Set allowed turns .28connections.29 turn restrictions|turn restrictions]] must be set in order to be routable.


===Incomplete segments or red roads===
For more detailed instructions on how to address red roads see: [[Creating and editing road segments#Confirm the road by updating details|Confirming the road by updating details]]


[[Image:incomplete.jpg|right|120px]]
===City names on segments===
Be sure to select country, state, enter the city name or check No City, and enter a street name, or check No Street. Until you do this, your road will not be routable and will not show on the client map. These incomplete segments are colored bright red in WME.
{{mbox|type=notice|text='''Every segment with addresses (House Numbers or Residential Place Points) on it, must have a city name.'''


This must be done on all streets created in WME, and on all streets created with the client "Pave" function.
'''On segments which have the "None" checkbox marked for the primary city name, the city name designated by the U.S. Postal Service should be set as an alternate city name for that segment.'''}}


"Paved" streets must also be connected to their adjacent roads, and [[Creating_and_Editing_street_segments#Set_allowed_turns_.28connections.29 turn restrictions|turn restrictions]] must be set in order to be routable.
[[File:EditCityData.png|right|thumb|No Primary city name with alternate city name added|right]]


== Abbreviations & Acronyms ==
To keep city names from sprawling over too wide an area in the Waze app, [[WME]] and [[Live Map]], except for within [[Military Bases|military bases]] a city name should only be used as a primary name for segments located in areas determined by local leadership to be displayed as cities on the map. This generally includes incorporated cities, towns, villages, etc., as well as census-designated or other unincorporated places recognized as city names by the [https://tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup.htm?bycitystate USPS], but rules vary by state. This may mean that many addresses on the map are in “no city” areas, particularly in rural regions. The Waze addresses on these segments are otherwise not searchable without a city name, and because many Wazers will search for a location by its postal address, U.S. community leadership has established the above editing standard.


Only abbreviations that Waze recognizes should be used within the editor. Since Waze uses TTS (Text-to-Speech) prompting, it is important that the correct abbreviations are used to produce the correct speech output.
There are other standards in place for other purposes requiring adding other street data in the the alternate. The addition of the USPS data does not change any other standards but is in addition to anything existing already on those affected segments.
{{Details|/City names|city naming}}
 
{{clear}}


A basic rule of thumb is, "when in doubt, spell it out".
===Navigation instructions for unnamed segments===
{{:Navigation instructions for unnamed segments/Conditions|transclude=yes}}


Refer to this Wiki page which lists suffix abbreviations:  [[Abbreviations & Acronyms]].
==Abbreviations and acronyms==


== Construction Zones; naming large sections of major roads that are under construction ==
Only abbreviations that Waze recognizes should be used within the editor. Since Waze uses TTS (Text-to-Speech) prompting, it is important that the correct abbreviations are used to produce the correct speech output.


===Basic Rules===
A basic rule of thumb is, "when in doubt, spell it out".


Start by following the naming rules for your major roads.  Interstate as "I-10 S". 
Refer to the [[Abbreviations and acronyms]] page for a list of suffix and recommended abbreviations.
US highways as "US Hwy 90".  To show that the segments are part of a construction zone, just add the suffix "CONST ZN".  "I-10 S" becomes "I-10 S CONST ZN".
"US Hwy 90" becomes "US Hwy 90 CONST ZN".  In cases with roads that are closed for extended periods it is usually best to disconnect the closed roads from the road network during the construction.


When temporarily re-setting road geometry, closely monitor recent GPS points as the aerial maps will likely display an out-dated view.  The GPS points layer may not be up to date either so it's best to have local knowledge of the construction before editing the map.  Also, be sure to closely monitor these sections of roadway and remove the CONST ZN suffix whenever the construction is done.
=={{Anchor|Construction zone}}Construction zones and closed roads==
No naming changes are necessary for construction zone & closed roads.  


'''As of February 2013 roads can be closed using Waze, the above method should no longer be used.'''
''For short-term closures or closures requiring immediate attention (e.g., traffic incidents), see [[Real time closures]].''


== Official Sources of Mapping information ==
''For large, long-term closures and major (re-)construction projects, see [[Scheduled reconfiguration]].''


Being in the Waze community of editors means sharing information you discover and learning from the discoveries of others! You can see some of the (old) [http://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=129&t=13695 official sources of mapping information (US only) provided in the forum] or check out the (new) [[Mapping_resources_%28USA%29]] wiki page (preferred).
==Official sources of mapping information==


Feel free to add new ones.
Being in the Waze community of editors means sharing information you discover and learning from the discoveries of others! You can see some of the (old) [http://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=129&t=13695 official sources of mapping information (US only) provided in the forum] or check out the (new) [[mapping resources]] wiki page (preferred).


[[Waze Map Editor#Editing Manual |Back to Map Editing]]
Feel free to add new resources as you find them.


{{ReturnTo | Editing manual | the editing manual}}


[[Category:USA]]
[[Category:USA]]

Latest revision as of 14:48, 10 February 2023

Road naming

All roads in our base maps came with the names as defined in the US TIGER dataset.

However, you might notice a few problems with the original road names: Some of the names are not the 'common' names (usually, Waze will display the 'name' of the highway while most people know this highway by its number).

On other examples, the same highway will have a different name on each side (for example, US Hwy 101 going North, and Bayshore Fwy going South).

Some roads actually have two 'common' names (for example, the NJ Turnpike is also I-95 and both are relevant names), but currently, we can only display one name per road.

For all these issues, we ask that you currently leave the situation as is. We are working on a few fixes, that will automate the proper naming and also allow multiple names for each segments (with a 'Primary' name as the one being displayed, but other names that bring up the same search results).

NOTE: In the future we may be able to display alternate names for each segment / road, and choose which one of these is the 'common' name. This is also true for road shield generation which is partially broken so shields may or may not be displayed in your area.

Concurrent names

Overlapping Highways

When two or more numbered highways (or interstates) run concurrently (one stretch of road has multiple route numbers), the segment should be named after the primary route designation, which usually has one or more of the following attributes:

  • The route whose mile markers are used for the concurrent segments
  • The route whose exit numbers are used for the concurrent segments
  • When the concurrency ends, the route whose path does not get signed as a numbered exit.

The other route number(s) can be entered as alternate names. If alternate names are entered, be sure not to introduce any alternate name discontinuities which may trigger the big detour prevention mechanism. In particular, use cardinal (directional) names on divided highways for both primary and alternate names.

Surface-level highways through cities/towns

In situations where a highway passes through a town, the road in those areas is typically named something other than the numbered route. In these situations the road should be named based on the following conditions:

  • If the local street signs provide guidance with the local name, that should be used as the primary name in the Waze map. The numbered route should be added as an alternate name.
  • If the local signs only indicate the route number, then that should be the primary name and the local road name should be added as an alternate name.

Local freeway names and significant bridges

Sometimes, a numbered freeway will also have a local name or will traverse a named bridge.

  • If the local name or bridge name is used on signage, in broadcast traffic reports, and/or colloquial conversation, the local name or bridge name should be added to the primary name after the primary route designation, separated by a bullet " • ".
    • This is done primarily to improve clarity and precision of traffic, incident, and closure reports, where including the local name or bridge name can make such reports easier to understand at a glance, more precise as to their specific location, or both.
  • Examples:
    • I-94 W • Dan Ryan Expwy
    • M-10 N • Lodge Fwy
    • I-5 N • Santa Ana Fwy
    • I-495 E • Long Island Expwy
    • I-10 E • Bonnet Carré Spillway Br
    • US-90 BUS W • Crescent City Connection

Highways

Interstate Highways

Components of the Interstate Highway System should be denoted as shown:
I-10 E for Interstate 10, Eastbound
I-310 S for Interstate 310, Southbound
I-35E N for Interstate 35E, Northbound (Letter suffixes are only in Minnesota and Texas)
Nearly all interstates are divided highways by necessity, and they should be drawn as such in the map for navigational accuracy.

United States Numbered Highways

Certain formatting guidelines must be followed to ensure that highway shields are shown in the Live Map and in the client. Note that map shield generation is not implemented for all situations, so some roads will not display a shield. Waze has said that there will eventually be a process allowing map editors to add shields to road segments in a way that is not connected to the name of that segment.

US Highways
Federal highways should be denoted as follows. Note that the trailing N, S, E, W cardinal direction indicator is used for numbered highways and interstates which are divided into two 1-way segments, per the guidelines.
US-61 S for U.S. Highway 61, Southbound
US-425 W for U.S. Highway 425, Westbound
US-90 BUS S for U.S. Highway 90 Business, Southbound
(note that BUS should be all uppercase for TTS to pronounce as "business". "Bus", "bus", etc. will pronounce as "Bus".)
US-90 ALT E for U.S. Highway 90 Alternate, Eastbound
US-199 SPUR for U.S. Highway 199 Spur
Refer to the concurrent names section to determine if the US highway name should be the primary name when traveling through cities & towns.

State highways

The Live Map will parse "State Rte xx" and "State Hwy yyy" and show a sign badge. However, as different states have different naming conventions (and different shields), this is not optimal for ramps.

Follow your state's naming conventions as defined in the highway naming by state table.

The same notes and examples for U.S. Highways above applies for state highways. Refer to the concurrent names section to determine if the state route name should be the primary name when traveling through cities & towns. State routes may also be divided if it meets the guidelines.

County and township highways and roads

Text to speech on the client reads CR- as "County Road." So "CR-10" is read as "County Road Ten"

Where road names are the same as cardinal directions (N, S, E, W), no special modification is necessary so that the voice prompt will read the letter and not say it as a direction. Ensure there are no spaces between the hyphen and the letter. Double or triple-letter roads with directional letters (e.g. CR-EN, CR-SAL) will not be spoken as directions but might be pronounced as if a word.

There is no other TTS abbreviation for county-owned roads in any capacity except those listed here. For these reasons: that county shields may someday be supported (and a named standard makes this easier to implement), and for brevity's sake in turn instructions and map displays, it is suggested (but by no means required) that individual states adopt one of these standards;

  • CR-
  • CH-
  • TR-
  • TH-

Another standard in use (which is longer, but you may see) is 'County Hwy XX'. The shortened format of CH- is available and is encouraged to be adopted when CR- is not appropriate.

Many states have adopted the short format CR-xxx instead of the longer format. See the highway naming by state table for specific formatting of each state.

Also, refer to the concurrent names section when the highway passes through a city or town that also has a local name for the road.

For regions that have township highways, the shortened formats of TH- and TR- are also available.


Ramps and wayfinders

Exit ramps and Entrance ramps are to be set as  Ramp  road type. The name of the ramp should match the exit or entrance signage as closely as possible. If the Waze instructions and display are different from the sign on the exit, Wazers may be unsure about which exit to take. Include everything that is present on the last sign prior to the exit. Do not combine all possible pre-ramp signage into the single ramp segment name.

Generally

Ramp names should generally match signage as closely as possible. This maximizes driver confidence.

A ramp name is made up of one or more elements, separated by separators.

  • Elements of a ramp name include:
    • Road names
    • Highway numbers (usually shields)
    • Control cities
    • Other non-city destinations
    • Exit numbers
  • Separators used in ramp names include:
    • Slash ( / ), used when elements are alternatives to each other (e.g., alternative destinations). The TTS engine will generate a pause in its place.
    • Bullet ( • ), used when two elements refer to alternative names for the same thing. The TTS engine will generate a pause in its place.
      • The bullet can be typed by holding the Option key and pressing 8 on macOS; by holding Alt and pressing 7 (or 0149) on the number pad in Windows; or by holding Ctrl and Shift, pressing U, releasing these, and pressing 2022 on Chrome OS. As an alternative to keyboard input, copy and paste it from this article.
    • "Toward" character ( » ), used when one element takes you toward the following element. The TTS engine will say "toward" in its place.
      • The "toward" character can be typed by pressing Option-Shift-\ on macOS, by holding Alt and pressing 0187 on the number pad in Windows, or by pressing Ctrl-Shift-U then typing 00BB on Chrome OS. Or, copy and paste it from this article.

All ramp names use the same general format, with slight modifications for different situations. The three basic forms of ramp names are as follows:

  • Numbered exit: Exit [number]: [element] [/ or • or »] [element] [/ or • or »] [element]
  • All other ramps: to [element] [/ or • or »] [element] [/ or • or »] [element] (unnumbered exits, on-ramps, etc.)
  • Wayfinder: [element] [/ or • or »] [element] [/ or • or »] [element]

Exit ramps

Generally, the name of an exit ramp segment should be named using the last sign, closest to (or at) the exit.

Numbered exits

If an exit is signed and numbered, start with the word "Exit", followed by the exit number, followed by a colon (": "), followed by all the other elements on the sign, separated by the appropriate separators.

  • Exit [number]: [element] [/ or • or »] [element] [/ or • or »] [element] (as needed)

For example,

Exit naming and separators
Road name Why? How TTS will pronounce it
Exit 16: I-33 » Bananaville / Celery Town I-33 takes you toward either Bananaville or Celerytown (depending on which direction you go). "Exit 16, I-33 toward Bananaville, Celery Town"
Exit 19A: US-22 N » Critter Hollow / Goop City Northbound US-22 takes you toward both Critter Hollow and Goop City. "Exit 19A, US-22 North toward Critter Hollow, Goop City"
Exit 24: US-103 • Schwarzenegger Rd US-103 and Schwarzenegger Rd are alternative names for the same road. "Exit 24, US-103, Schwarzenegger Road"
Exit 32: Terminator Blvd / Total Recall Rd The exit takes you to either of these roads; neither road takes you to the other. "Exit 32, Terminator Boulevard, Total Recall Road"
Exit 33B: Running Man St "Exit 33B, Running Man Street"
Exit 35C-B-A: Junior Dr / Twins Ave / Jingleallthe Way The exit takes you to these three roads independently; none has a "towards" relationship with the next. "Exit 35 C B A, Junior Drive, Twins Avenue, Jingleallthe Way"
Exit 1E: SR-1000 E » Sarah Connor Blvd The exit takes you directly to SR-1000 eastbound, which in turn takes you to Sarah Connor Blvd. "Exit 1 E, State Route 1000 East toward Sarah Connor Boulevard"

Note:

  • If an exit number contains one or more letters, include it exactly as displayed on the sign. Separate sub-exit letters with a hyphen.
    • Do not leave spaces between the number and letter, between hyphens and adjacent letters, or between the last letter and the colon.
  • Note that, if the exit number contains one of the cardinal directions (N, S, E, W), that letter will be pronounced as a letter, not as the corresponding compass direction. For example, the above example will be pronounced "Exit One E, State Route One Thousand East toward Sarah Connor Boulevard".
  • If the Exit has an official number that is documented elsewhere, but this exit number does not appear on any signs, do not use it to name the exit ramp. Waze instructions should match the signs where possible to avoid confusion. Check your state's page for any local exceptions to this rule.
Signed, unnumbered exits

If an exit is signed and unnumbered, start with the word "to" (lowercase) and follow with all elements on the sign, separated with the appropriate separators:

  • to [element] [/ or »] [element] [/ or »] [element] (as needed)
  • e.g.,
    • to SR-33 / Kindergarten Ct (the exit takes you to either SR-33 or Kindergarten Ct)
    • to US-99 » Crazytown (US-99 takes you toward Crazytown)
Unsigned exits

If there is no sign at the exit, start with the word "to" (lowercase) and follow with the name of the road the ramp leads to. If that road has both a route number and a local name, use the route number first, followed by a slash, followed by the local name. If only a local name or only a highway designation are present, use only that. The goal is to avoid confusing the driver.

  • to [element] [/ or • or »] [element] (as needed)
  • e.g., to US-12 • Michigan Ave

Entrance ramps

Entrance ramps should be named similarly to unnumbered exits, following the format to [element] [/ or »] [element], etc. A typical entrance ramp should follow the format to [road name of highway] [direction] » [control city], where those elements are present—even if the control city is on a separate sign.

  • to [element] [/ or • or »] [element] (as needed)
  • to [highway name] [direction] » [control city] / [control city]

For example,

  • to I-10 W » Baton Rouge
  • to Clearview Pkwy N » Mandeville
  • to US-90 BUS W
  • to LA-1 » Thibodaux / Lockport
  • to I-10 E • US-90 E » Lafayette

Note:

  • If signs before the on-ramp provide multiple destination information, combine them into the single on-ramp name.
    • e.g., to US-90 BUS W / to I-10 W » Miss River Br / Baton Rouge
  • The highway name and direction should always come before the control city, even if signage is presented in the opposite order.
  • Do not omit the word "to", because this could cause confusion with, say, the "Select entire street" function. Text-to-speech (TTS) instructions will deal properly with the word "to" when it constructs turn instructions.
  • Do not use "Ramp to" (this would result in [turn right / exit right] to ramp to ...)
  • Compass directions (such as "West" or "Westbound") accompanying highway shields and road names should be abbreviated using single-letter abbreviations, such as W.
    • e.g., the legend "WEST" above a shield for I-10 should be entered as I-10 W
    • Do not spell out compass directions (such as "West" or "Westbound") which accompany highway shields and road names. Do not use "WB" or other non-approved abbreviations, as they are not supported by the TTS engine.
  • When multiple on-ramps combine before merging into the main interstate or highway, it is advised to name the last common ramp with the conventions listed above. This will usually be the last ramp which is the one which actually joins the main interstate or highway.
  • When naming ramps and exits that lead to state highways, refer to the road naming conventions listed in Highway naming and cross-reference the state's wiki page (therein linked).
    • New Jersey: to SR-45 » Passaic
    • Louisiana: to LA-308 » Raceland
    • North Carolina: to NC-55 » Winston-Salem

Un-mapped and new streets

Sometimes, there is a brand new road we aren't sure of the name yet, it is okay to leave the name of the road blank by marking the "None" checkbox next to the Name field in the Address Properties in the editor. Always make sure to choose the proper road type and confirm the other road details to ensure that the road appears on the client app. Add a map comment to let other editors know that the name is missing and to check at a later time if more information is available.

Incomplete segments or red roads

Incomplete.jpg
Incomplete.jpg

Be sure to select country, state, enter the city name or check "None", and enter a street name, or check "None". Until you do this, your road will not be routable and will not show on the client map. These incomplete segments are colored bright red in WME.

This must be done on all streets created in WME and on all streets created with the client "Pave" road function.

"Paved" streets must also be connected to their adjacent roads, and turn restrictions must be set in order to be routable.

For more detailed instructions on how to address red roads see: Confirming the road by updating details

City names on segments

Every segment with addresses (House Numbers or Residential Place Points) on it, must have a city name. On segments which have the "None" checkbox marked for the primary city name, the city name designated by the U.S. Postal Service should be set as an alternate city name for that segment.
No Primary city name with alternate city name added

To keep city names from sprawling over too wide an area in the Waze app, WME and Live Map, except for within military bases a city name should only be used as a primary name for segments located in areas determined by local leadership to be displayed as cities on the map. This generally includes incorporated cities, towns, villages, etc., as well as census-designated or other unincorporated places recognized as city names by the USPS, but rules vary by state. This may mean that many addresses on the map are in “no city” areas, particularly in rural regions. The Waze addresses on these segments are otherwise not searchable without a city name, and because many Wazers will search for a location by its postal address, U.S. community leadership has established the above editing standard.

There are other standards in place for other purposes requiring adding other street data in the the alternate. The addition of the USPS data does not change any other standards but is in addition to anything existing already on those affected segments.

For more details on city naming, see /City names.

Navigation instructions for unnamed segments

When Waze gives navigation instructions to "turn", "exit", or "keep" onto an unnamed segment, it will look ahead on the recommended route for a road name that it can use. If there is a named segment further along the recommended route, it will use (inherit) that name in the instruction.

The inherited name is only used in the displayed and spoken instruction prompts, it does not affect the actual name of the segment. Unnamed segments are often used to control instructions on feeder ramps and at grade connectors (AGCs). Please be sure to understand all the ways in which unnamed segments can affect navigation instructions before adding names to unnamed segments or removing them from named segments.

This always works for  Freeways  and  Ramps .

This never works for  Parking Lot Roads  or  Private Roads , As of October 2018

On all other road types (any road type which is not a Freeway, Ramp, Parking Lot Road, or Private Road), this feature only works if:

  1. The combined length of the consecutive unnamed segments is shorter than 400 meters (1,312 feet),
    AND
  2. There are 3 or fewer unnamed segments in a row.


To explain the above conditions from other perspectives:

  1. If the consecutive unnamed  Local Street ,  Primary Street ,  Minor Highway , or  Major Highway  segments measured together are longer than 400 m (1,312 ft), or if there are 4 or more unnamed segments in a row, Waze will not show or speak a name in the instructions.
  2. Names are never inherited through unnamed  Parking Lot Road  or  Private Road  segments.

Abbreviations and acronyms

Only abbreviations that Waze recognizes should be used within the editor. Since Waze uses TTS (Text-to-Speech) prompting, it is important that the correct abbreviations are used to produce the correct speech output.

A basic rule of thumb is, "when in doubt, spell it out".

Refer to the Abbreviations and acronyms page for a list of suffix and recommended abbreviations.

Construction zones and closed roads

No naming changes are necessary for construction zone & closed roads.

For short-term closures or closures requiring immediate attention (e.g., traffic incidents), see Real time closures.

For large, long-term closures and major (re-)construction projects, see Scheduled reconfiguration.

Official sources of mapping information

Being in the Waze community of editors means sharing information you discover and learning from the discoveries of others! You can see some of the (old) official sources of mapping information (US only) provided in the forum or check out the (new) mapping resources wiki page (preferred).

Feel free to add new resources as you find them.