Speed Cameras View history

This page forms part of UK Editing Best Practice. Editors are encouraged to follow these guidelines.

Speed and Red Light cameras can only be added by Editors Ranked L2 and above.

Waze Camera Types

Speed Cameras

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WME icon
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Fixed speed enforcement cameras of any type (Gatso, Peek, Truvelo, Monitron or SPECS)

Average Speed Cameras should be mapped as per the linked guidance

Mobile speed cameras (camera vans) should not be mapped in Waze. Instead, they should be reported in the app using Report > Police > Visible.

The speed limit sign shown on the WME speed camera icon is only an image and always shows 30, irrespective of the set speed limit.

Red Light Cameras

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App icon

Fixed cameras enforcing light infringements of any type (Gatso, Monitron, or RedSpeed).

CCTV cameras at level crossing should not be mapped in Waze.

It is increasingly common for red light cameras also to enforce speed limits, often referred to as speed on green, as Waze does not have a dual camera type, these should be mapped as a Red Light Camera.

Dummy Cameras

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Dummy cameras should only be mapped when a camera housing is present but is either inactive, only the camera housing, or has been bagged over.

There are rare occasions when residents erect a fake camera to deter speeding traffic; these can also be mapped as Dummy cameras if reported by Wazers.


Camera Placement

When mapping a camera, you should examine clues on the map and aerial photography to assist in moving the camera to the correct position. You should be aware that aerial photography (including road markings) and services such as Street View are often outdated, so do not rely on them exclusively.

The camera types listed below aim to assist you in placing the camera in the correct position. Unfortunately, this guide cannot cater to every situation, so your judgment is required.

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, move it as far as allowed and save. Then, reload the page with the "permalink" button at the bottom right of the editor screen. 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. If the camera is reversible, you must map two cameras, one facing in each direction.

Setting camera speed and type

When the camera is selected, you can enter the speed in MPH that matches the speed limit the camera enforces.

When a speed is set, the Wazer will receive an audible warning from the client when approaching the camera whilst exceeding the speed set. If no speed is set (0 mph), the Wazer will always receive an audible warning.

In variable speed limit areas the speed of the camera mapped in Waze should be set to the maximum permitted speed (e.g. 70mph for the M42).

Locking of cameras

Cameras still use the legacy locking mechanism that follows the rank of the last editor to touch them. Therefore, all cameras, regardless of type, should be manually locked to match the lock level of the segment they are placed on.

Cameras that should be mapped

Gatso Speed Cameras

Gatso speed cameras are the most common type in the UK and are rear facing; when triggered, they will flash. They may be mounted on their post (which may be reversible) or on an overhead gantry (these are being phased out in favour of HADECS3 side mounted cameras).

These cameras use radar to measure the speed of a vehicle and typically a series of road markings are 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 is possible to see the road markings aiding the placement of the camera.

Gatso "Smart Pole" Speed Cameras

The Gatso Smart Pole is another 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 will flash when triggered.

Where aerial photography is of good enough quality, it is possible to see the road markings aiding the placement of the camera.

Take care not to confuse these cameras with Level Crossing Cameras, which appear similarly.

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. However, 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 aid in correct camera placement in Waze Map Editor.

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 aid in correct camera placement in Waze Map Editor.

Watchman Speed Cameras

Watchman cameras are unique among UK safety cameras in that they are an integrated system with several sensors comprising a speed warning board and a camera, both with their radar, as shown below. At this time, it is unclear if these cameras are approved by the Home Office (and thus able to be used for prosecution).

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

VECTOR-SR Cameras

These devices can identify speeding drivers travelling in both directions, don't flash when they snap, and catch motorists not wearing a seatbelt or handling a mobile phone at the wheel.

They can also act as Red Light Cameras if placed near traffic lights. If so, they should be mapped as a Red Light Camera.

Average Speed Cameras

SPECS (SPEed Check Services) and VECTOR are a system that uses number plate recognition to measure the time taken between two fixed points to monitor a driver's average speed. There are several camera types in use, as shown in the images. However, only one camera type will be used at a given site.

This is not a standalone system, an average speed 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 aid correct placement of the camera in Waze Map Editor.

Average Speed Zones should be mapped according to the specific guidance.


Monitron Speed and Red Light Cameras

Monitron speed cameras (sometimes called SpeedCurb) are a new generation of digital cameras 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. However, 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 aid in correct camera placement in Waze Map Editor. If the camera is a red light camera, it should be placed on the stop line in Waze Map Editor.

RedSpeed Speed and Red Light Cameras

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

Gatso Red Light Cameras

Gatso red light cameras differ from 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.

Cameras that should not be mapped

  • Level Crossing Cameras

Take care not to confuse these cameras with Gatso "Smart Pole" Cameras, which are similar in appearance. Level Crossing should be mapped with the Level (Railroad) Crossing feature, one on either side of the crossing pointing towards it.

  • Mobile speed cameras - typically situated in a van, should be reported via the app as visible police
  • Trafficmaster sensors -typically in a blue or green housing on bridges or poles
  • CCTV cameras - can often cover junctions, level crossing, and general highway monitoring
  • ANPR cameras - typically in a grey housing mounted on lamp columns
  • Other enforcement cameras - do not map bus lane, junction box, etc cameras
  • Driver feedback signs
  • Camera warning signs