Speed Cameras

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

Waze Camera Types

Speed Cameras

WME icon

App icon

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 report 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

App icon

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

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

It is increasingly common for red light cameras to also enforce speed limits, as Waze does not have a dual camera type these should be mapped as a Red Light Camera with 0 mph speed set.

Dummy Cameras

App icon

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.

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You should be aware though that aerial photography (including road markings) and services such as Streetview are often out of date, so do not rely on them exclusively.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 every situation cannot be catered for in this guide so your own judgement 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 then move it as far as allowed and save. Then use the "permalink" button at the bottom right of the editor screen to reload the page. 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 will need to map two cameras, one facing in each direction.

Setting camera speed and type

When the camera is selected you are able to 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 in 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).

Cameras that should be mapped

Gatso Speed Cameras

Gatso speed cameras are the most common speed camera type found in the UK and are rear facing, when triggered they will flash. They may be mounted on their own post (which may be reversible) or on an overhead gantries (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.

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  Front of Gatso camera
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Rear of Gatso camera
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Gatso camera close-up
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Gatso Cameras on overhead gantry
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Gatso camera road markings
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Placement in Waze Map Editor

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  Aerial view showing road markings

Gatso "Smart Pole" Speed Cameras

The Gatso Smart Pole 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 when triggered will flash.

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 are similar in appearance.

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  Front of Gatso Smart Pole camera
  Credit: Twister-UK

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  Rear of Gatso Smart Pole camera
  Credit: Twister-UK

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, though 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 be used to aid correct placement of the camera in Waze Map Editor.

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  Front of Peek camera
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Rear of Peek camera
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Peek camera close up
  Credit: Dave2084

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 be used to aid correct placement of the camera in Waze Map Editor.

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  Front of Truvelo Camera
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Rear of Truvelo Camera
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Truvelo Camera Close-Up
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Truvelo Camera Road Markings
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Aerial view showing road markings

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  Placement in Waze Map Editor

Watchman Speed Cameras

Watchman cameras are quite unique among UK safety cameras in that they are an integrated system with a number of sensors comprising a speed warning board and a camera both with their own radar as shown below. At this time it is not clear if these cameras are type approved by the Home Office (and thus able to be used for prosecution).

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

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  Watchman system viewed from the rear
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Watchman camera viewed from the front
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Watchman speed warning board
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Close up of Watchman camera
  Credit: Dave2084

SPECS Average Speed Cameras

SPECS (SPEed Check Services) is a system that uses number plate recognition to measure the time taken between two fixed points to monitor a driver's average speed.

This is not a standalone system, a SPECS 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 be used to aid correct placement of the camera in Waze Map Editor.

There are a number of camera types in use as shown in the images, however, the Type B SPECS cameras are now in use on overhead gantries on the approaches to the QE2 Bridge (Dartford Crossing) and M60 J26 Clockwise.

These should be mapped using the new Average Speed Zones feature.

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  SPECS camera Type A
  Credit: Dave2084

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  SPECS camera Type A close up
  Credit: Dave2084

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  SPECS camera Type B
  Credit: Dave2084

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  SPECS camera Type C
  Credit: Dave2084

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  SPECS cameras on overhead gantry
  Credit: Dave2084

Monitron Speed and Red Light Cameras

Monitron speed cameras (sometimes referred to as SpeedCurb) are a new generation of digital cameras which can be 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, though 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 be used to aid correct placement of the camera in Waze Map Editor. If the camera is used as a red light camera then it should be placed on the stop line in Waze Map Editor.

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  Front of Monitron camera
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Rear of Monitron camera
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Monitron camera close up
  Credit: Dave2084

RedSpeed Speed and Red Light Cameras

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

New RLC Camera Type [Image by Dave2084]

Gatso Red Light Cameras

Gatso red light cameras are different to 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.

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  Front of Gatso Red Light Camera
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Rear of Gatso Red Light Camera
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Gatso Red Light Camera close up
  Credit: Dave2084

Level Crossing Cameras

Take care not to confuse these cameras with Gatso "Smart Pole" Cameras which are similar in appearance.

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  Level Crossing Camera
  Credit: Moley_uk

Cameras that should not be mapped

Mobile Speed Cameras

Mobile speed cameras should not be reported in Waze as by the time they are approved and appear in the client they will be long gone, instead use the Report -> Police feature in the client.

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  Van mounted mobile enforcement camera
  Credit: Dave2084

Trafficmaster

Trafficmaster has a network of 5,200 traffic flow monitoring sensors used to update their real-time traffic services on UK motorways and trunk roads. These sensors are not used for speed or red light enforcement and so should not be reported in Waze.

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  Trafficmaster sensor (blue variant)
  Credit: Dave2084

• Trafficmaster sensor mounted on bridge Credit: Pauline W

  Trafficmaster sensor mounted on bridge
  Credit: Pauline W

Congestion Charge Zone Cameras

The London Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ) uses cameras to record vehicles entering or leaving the zone, these are not used for speed or red light enforcement and so should not be reported in Waze.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras may be used for a number of enforcement functions including: Valid Tax, MoT Test, Insurance, Parking, Yellow-box violations and checking criminal activity. At this time however, they are not used for speed or red light enforcement and so should not be reported in Waze.

Driver Feedback Signs

Electronic signs that warn you if speeding and may or may not tell you your speed.

Camera Warning Signs

Signs that warn the drivers of possible cameras in the area should not be reported, even as a fake camera.

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  Red Light Camera warning sign
  Credit: Dave2084

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  Average Speed Check warning sign
  Credit: Dave2084