A695 or A694? Blaydon, Gateshead

Map Editors Community United Kingdom
1

Hello everyone!

I’ve come across a strange discrepancy between the maps and signage for a stretch of road between Scotswood Bridge and Derwenthaugh roundabout. I’ve selected the segments I believe to be affected here:
https://www.waze.com/editor/?env=row&lon=-1.68567&lat=54.96463&layers=1957&zoom=5&segments=142409210,259669938,142020860,141709281,259669937

Basically I can’t work out if this is part of the A694 or A695.

All the signs in the area indicate that this is A694. For example, here is the exit from the roundabout, suggesting you’re still on the A694. The A695 is in brackets, my understanding is that means it’s down that way but you haven’t reached it yet.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.962412,-1.68553,3a,75y,81.2h,84.12t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sBJvQGD8qidne4WPd_CylWg!2e0

However, every map I’ve checked, including OS OpenData, seems to have this down as being A695. The exception is Bing maps, but even then, only for part of that stretch.

The reason I bring this up is because it means navigation instructions seem to contradict the road signs. I suppose it’s more of a problem if you’re coming in from the other direction. For instance, say you’re heading east from Blaydon towards Metrocentre. Waze will say “keep right onto A695”, but then you come to this sign, where A695 is left!
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.965844,-1.692963,3a,66y,83.39h,86.07t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s7yGSI8t5v36rgG_efBLy5Q!2e0

I’m not sure which is best, whether to follow other online sources, name roads to favour navigation instructions, or maybe there’s some other feature that might help. Even then, I don’t know whether it’s the map people or the sign people who are right.

Or maybe I’m being overly pedantic? After all, a quick glance at the map on the client gives a pretty good indication of what you should be doing.

Either way, I think it’s an interesting oddity, but I thought I would get some other opinions before raising a UR.

Thanks,
Paul.

2

Drivers only care about the signs they see out their window (if looking), so it’s usually best to match the signage where possible even if it doesn’t match other sources. The only problem with doing that is that other editors might come and revert it later.

A similar question was asked this week: https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=104606

:geek:

3

Hi Paul,

At last see you to post it :mrgreen: It is difficult decision. You have already mentioned that these segments were labelled differently from different sources. I agree with Tim that we should map to match the road sign. However, you will see (from GSV) a road mark on this segment is showing “N’CLE (A695)” and a sign not far away also show “Newcastle (A695)”. That means we have to mark A694 for SE direction and A695 for NW direction. I prefer to keep it as it is. IIRC, it has been named A694 but eventually re-named by others and possibly I got fed up and just locked it and kept it as A695 as per OSM. Welcome any comments :wink:

Leo

4

Oops! Forget to link the segment. Here it is:

https://www.waze.com/editor/?env=row&lon=-1.68642&lat=54.96221&layers=1477&zoom=4&segments=137721141

5

This is probably an example of “road multiplexing”, the best example I can think of off the top of my head is the Whitchurch bypass, which is both the A41 and A49 simultaneously… With this in mind, would marking it as both (e.g. “A694/A695”) for the affected stretch then locking it at a high level actually be the most appropriate solution?

Ian

6

I asked the same question, can’t link the thread as I’m on the phone but it should be easy to find. Just use what’s on the signs. My example was the A11 inner ring in Belfast, it corners 4 A roads, it’s not named for the full length so I’ve named the sections as per the signage

Level 5 Area Manager - North of Ireland
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7

Hello everyone, thanks for the replies.

I understand this is a tricky one. I guess there could be some multiplexing going on, it’s difficult to say.

The original problem for me was a request to change the junction slightly to give “keep left” and “keep right” instructions on the approaches to the bridge from the south side of the river. Leocylau has already taken care of that for me, and I think the new voice instructions work well.

The A694/A695 issue only came about after this change, as I happened to be checking the updated voice instruction. If it weren’t for this, I probably wouldn’t have noticed.

The voice nav and directions on screen are pretty clear to me. Maybe I can leave this to a more experienced editor to decide if a change is necessary? :slight_smile:

Should I raise a UR?

Thank you for everyone’s thoughts on this topic.
Paul.

8

You can if you prefer to. I’m tempted to change the eastward segment to A694 or just to add a small segment be named as A694. Let see what we will get :wink:

9

Finally, I decided to change them both to A694 and lock them to L5. It should be the best solution to suit the road signs.

10

Hi Leocylau, I saw your edits, thanks again for taking time to make the change.

Unfortunately, and I’m sorry to be a pest, but I think maybe just this segment was better left as A695 to correspond with the sign heading westward?
https://www.waze.com/editor/?env=row&lon=-1.68758&lat=54.96551&layers=1957&zoom=5&segments=259670229
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.964145,-1.685964,3a,75y,341.69h,84.39t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sd-eeWS-QP1phOzqyvql2Dg!2e0

I see what you mean, this can get confusing. Also, this is a simple junction in comparison. I suppose some larger junctions cause no end of trouble.

After this I promise to be quiet!

Kind regards,
Paul.

11

No, don’t be quiet! We need voice to improve the map. The true is you keep helping us and pointing us our mistakes :mrgreen:

You are absolutely right. I have missed this segment and now I change it back to A695 :wink: