My Level: 2
Reason for request: Left Turn Restriction Adjustments
NB: I’m a former AM for Vancouver island, and am now a Transit Operator in Victoria… driving through these intersections multiple times per week.
Gorge Eastbound to Douglas Northbound is allowed, outside the hours of 0700-1800 daily. As a side note regarding the update request (from a driving user, currently showing on the map just north of Douglas & Hillside), I’ve reviewed all the possible turns in Waze for this complicated intersection. Except as noted here, they are all correct.
Government Southbound onto Hillside Eastbound is allowed (and is an effective u-turn route when the restrictions noted above are not in effect).
Garbally Eastbound onto Douglas Northbound is allowed at all times, but should be labelled as a “Difficult Turn”.
Douglas St Northbound onto Garbally Westbound is allowed at all times, but the turn might better fit as a connection on this segment. “Difficult Turn” might be a consideration here.
Updated, but as stated in the MC, I don’t understand how the UR poster could have been that confused. They seem very clear about what is restricted. Regarding the Garbally intersection, I’ve cleaned that up somewhat, but for the difficult turns, this is in effect 24/7. Is it always difficult, or only when there is a lot of traffic on Douglas? i.e. is Douglas heavily traffic laden at all times of the day? If the current setting are correct, and we are OK without the difficult turns, please mark as resolved.
Further update on a closer look at SB Government to EB Hillside, this turn is restricted based on lane arrow painting. Painting shows only through traffic is permitted as there is no left turn shown in the left lane.
Can you please review the UR conversation and verify the existence of a median on Douglas to separate Government?
Hi Kayos: Thanks for the thoughtful work on this thread.
Four responses here (one new)
FIRST:
re Garbally Eastbound onto Douglas Northbound:
- For reasons of visibility of Southbound traffic coming down Douglas, or Burnside onto Douglas, and crossing three lanes of traffic to head Northbound on Douglas, this should be rated as “difficult” at all times.* Noticing that the left turn lane for Burnside Road has been shortened in Waze. That will cause Waze voice instructions to stay left to come too late during busy traffic (when the lane fills up to beyond Garbally Road).
SECOND:
re Government Southbound onto Hillside Eastbound:
I will disagree. Lane arrows are guidance. Signage sets the enforcement rules… and there is no restrictive signage on that turn. Additionally, the turn is a useful and safe u-turn route after 1800h, and Waze will have no other reason than a u-turn to send a driver into that turn.
[ That said, the debater in me hates to admit that there might be on argument for the restriction 
]
THIRD:
Re reviewing the original UR:
Until the last note, the UR makes sense (arguing for the above-noted restriction… which, again, I’ll argue against). However, the last entry is confusing.
- The only extended curb that splits Douglas and Government is the large raised island, which was expanded within the last couple of years to be a significant Transit stop.
- The entry newly references a problem turning right turn onto Douglas. That is simply wrong.
I frequently make both those turns without difficulty.
[ PS: I wonder of the reporter is referencing this right turn – the only one in that entire 5-way intersection that comes close to meeting his/her description. It looks like a swing-out is required, but actually is not. Transit Route #11 to UVic makes that turn many times per day without having to leave the lane.
FOURTH: [new]
Douglas Southbound, turning left onto Gorge/Hillside: There is no signage preventing this turn, but it is nearly impossible to do this turn safely in anything but a small car. It should be marked as “Difficult” at the very least. Despite the lack of signage, I’d argue for a complete restriction in Waze on this one.
First, DT enabled, and I now note that you are able to make DTs at different times. Not something that I use very often at all… Also with respect to the keep instruction to go onto Burnside, the current position is the standard. If drivers are not paying attention enough to notice that traffic is backed up for the turn lane, that is on them, not the app.
Second, have a look at the last page here: https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/documents/drivers3.pdf and in particular Clause 161 a) of the MVA: http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96318_05#section161 The arrow on the road is a Traffic Control Device, therefor vehicles in that lane must obey the direction, which is straight ahead only. That said, I would think that you would only be nailed for it if the officer is having a really bad day, or they are specifically focusing on it for some reason.
Third, I really think this is a case of bad GPS snapping. My question is if the satellite image is correct, or has a concrete median been extended? I believe the person posting the UR is mistaken, but want to give them the benefit of the doubt until it’s verified.
Fourth, Do you mean Douglas SB to turn right onto Gorge Rd E? There is a left turn lane onto Hillside so I can’t see that needing a DT. For right onto Gorge, this should be restricted as drivers should be taking the Government AGC to get onto WB Gorge. I’ve made that change.
Wow, 22 days since you replied. Sorry for the slow response. Summer is here!
re First: We’ve had this discussion before! 
'nough said.
re Second: I stand corrected :?. Thanks for the references.
re Third: The satellite image I’m seeing for that entire intersection* in Waze Editor is current… as is the StreetView link I included earlier in this thread. Like you, I also believe the UR author is in error/confused. That said, I’m by that intersection every workday and can check on anything specific you wish to ask**.
*: But not for Douglas Street north of the intersection… Transit priority lanes are under construction (due to be completed sometime this Fall).
**: On that note, do you still have my private email address (which I check daily)?
re Fourth: Agghh/Oops :roll: YES, I did indeed mean turning right onto Gorge Rd E from Douglas southbound. Good catch!, and I agree with the turn restriction you’ve added.
We all get busy, and yes I have your email address. So I think we’re all done here…?