Routing penalties/Controlling U-turn penalties Discussion View history

Revision as of 17:10, 30 September 2015 by PesachZ (talk | contribs) (PesachZ moved page User:PesachZ/Avoiding Uturns to User:TheLastTaterTot/Avoiding Uturns: merging histories)

Median U-turn penalty link to this section

For the latest discussion on this section please visit the wiki forum thread.

The Waze routing algorithm sets a penalty for some double-left or double-right turns. This can prevent U-turns at H-style intersections on divided and parallel roads.

Preventing median U-turns link to this section

A large U-turn penalty is set for a double-left or double-right turn when all three of the conditions below are met:

  1. The U-turn involves a reversal of driving direction through 3 segments:
    A) an incoming segment, B) a single median segment, and C) an outgoing segment
  2. Segment B is shorter than 15 m (49.21 feet)
  3. Segment A and segment B are within ±5° of parallel to each other


It is possible for this method to fail to prevent a U-turn when it is the first segment of a route or reroute. If you observe this method to fail when it is implemented properly, please report it in this forum thread


Allowing median U-turns link to this section

To allow a double-left or double-right turn through a median segment, break any one of the above conditions. For example:

  • To allow median U-turns in both directions, break condition #2 by making the the median segment B longer than 15 m (49.21 ft)
  • To allow a U-turn from only one direction, first set up U-turn prevention for both directions. Then, to allow U-turns on one side, change the angles for segment A and segment B so they are not parallel. A micro-dogleg can be used to change the angle without changing the appearance of segment.


Checking for parallel incoming and outgoing segments link to this section

Condition #3 for U-turn prevention requires the incoming and outgoing segments to be within ±5º of parallel to each other. This is checked by using a straight median segment and the Junction Angle Info (JAI) browser extension to measure the angles. JAI may be set for absolute or turn angles; either setting is OK.

If segment B is straight, measure the angles between segment A and segment B, and between segment B segment C. If the sum of these angles is between 175º and 185º, segment A and segment B are considered parallel.

If segment B has geometry nodes it is not straight. It cannot be used to measure the turn angles. Instead, draw a straight segment to the same junctions used by segment B. Check the angles using this straight median. Delete the straight median afterwards

Common mistakes link to this section