M1 Motorway Calga - Mobile Phone Camera Issues

[brqqdon]

Hey, new to the Waze community forums but a long time Waze driver.

I’m just curious as to why the mobile detection camera located Northbound on the M1 Motorway, Calga (a couple kilometres from the checking station in Mount White), displays on the Waze map at random.

For example, one day it will display an audible alert that you’re approaching a mobile detection camera as well as the icon, other times there is only a speed camera icon, and the rest of the time nothing is displayed at all - no visible or audible alerts.

Why is this?

Is this some restriction by NSW on notifying of a mobile phone detection camera?

An error?

Thanks so much!

[LostInMyMaps]

Thanks for your question. It’s not the government; it’s not an error; it’s worse than that—it’s a feature.

Waze suppresses alerts on some camera types for 21 days after you’ve seen them twice to avoid spamming drivers. The function is called familiarity capping. The types of cameras it impacts are listed on our wiki page in the table:

Cameras

Template of topic 380525, post 1 Template of topic 380019, post 1 [Permanent Hazards: Cameras] The Waze Map Editor supports mapping various fixed enforcement cameras, enabling drivers to receive alerts when approaching them while using the Waze application. From September 2024 cameras are part of the permanent hazards framework. Camera types Combination cameras Camera Alerts when roaming Alerts when routing Familiarity capping Visible on map when roaming [Red light and speed] Red light and speed [Tick_80px] [Tick_80px] [Cross_80px] [Tick_80px] Note: When roaming alerts as a speed camera only. There are plans to support red light and speed camera alerts whilst roaming in the future. Individual camera types Camera Alerts when roaming Alerts when routing Familiarity capping Visible on map when roaming [speed camera] Speed [Tick_80px] [Tick_80px] [Cross_80px] [Tick_80px] [red light camera] Red light [Tick_80px] [Tick_80px] [Cross_80px] [Tick_80px] [mobile phone camera] Mobile phone [Cross_80px] [Tick_80px] [Tick_80px] [Cross_80px] [bus lane camera] Bus lane [Cross_80px] [Tick_80px] [Tick_80px] [Cross_80px] [seat belt camera] Seat belt [Cross_80px] [Tick_80px] [Tick_80px] [Cross_80px] [dummy camera] Dummy [Cross_80px] [Cross_80px] [Cross_80px] [Tick_80px] Where a camera with multiple types exists Waze will only surface one type of combination/individual camera. This is based on the hierarchy in the above table. For example: Speed camera + Red light camera + Bus lane camera = Red light and speed camera Seat belt camera + Mobile phone camera = Mobile phone camera When an alert is triggered, all cameras will generate an audible and visual alert based on user settings. This is except for speed cameras which have additional logic. The following camera types are not present in Australia, have been disabled, and cannot be mapped: Stop sign camera Noise camera Safe distance camera Carpool lane camera Transit lane camera Mapping specific camera types Speed camera Speed cameras inherit the speed limit from the segment it is attached to. Refer to road attributes for how we map speed limits. Different from other permanent hazards, when a driver approaches a speed camera hazard Waze will determine how to generate an alert based on a combination of factors. In Australia: if the driver is above the speed limit and has audio alerts enabled, the driver will receive both an audible and visual alert. if the driver is not above the speed limit only a visual alert will be displayed. No additional alerts will be provided if the driver exceeds the speed after the alert has been generated. Red light camera As an exception to other permanent hazards, red light cameras, including those part of combination cameras, should be mapped to the enforced stop line or equivalent and not the camera’s real location. Dummy camera To show users that we are aware of a camera’s presence, dummy cameras may be added to the map. Examples of situations where a dummy camera is helpful are: The camera is non-operational but the camera or associated camera equipment is still present. The beginning and end of an average speed zone. Other fixed camera types (e.g. traffic surveillance cameras, detection cameras, fatigue cameras or heavy vehicle cameras). When adding a dummy camera a map note should also be added explaining why the camera was added. There is no need to map every camera. Dummy cameras are generally added in locations where their absence would likely generate multiple user requests (URs). Portable/temporary cameras In general, portable cameras (i.e. speed, seat belt and/or mobile phone detection cameras mounted to a vehicle or trailer) are temporary and not mapped in Waze as they can be difficult to manage. Users are encouraged to report portable cameras or other temporary enforcement cameras via the Waze app as “police” or “police (hidden)”. Tunnels The mapping of cameras in tunnels is dependent on whether the tunnel operator has chosen to install Waze Beacons. These beacons help to provide accurate location data to drivers where GPS signals may not reach. Tunnels with Waze Beacons - the camera should be mapped according to our guidelines, typically to its real location. Tunnels without Waze Beacons - the camera should be mapped within the first 500m of the tunnel’s entrance, even if this is before the camera’s real location within the tunnel. This ensures that drivers receive an alert when entering the tunnel, in case the application cannot access accurate location data as they traverse the tunnel. Average speed zones Template of topic 380209, post 13 Where an average speed zone monitors and enforces the speeds of all vehicle types, the average speed camera flag should be applied to each relevant segment and direction for the length of the road enforced. To help identify the start and end of average speed zones in WME map notes should be added to the start and end. Cameras are gene…

Many of us find this frustrating and confusing. In response, Waze is working on improvements to how cameras are displayed in the app in general. I hope this helps.

While you’re here, consider adding a vote to these suggestions:

https://waze.uservoice.com/forums/59223-waze-suggestion-box/suggestions/48396791-in-app-option-to-turn-off-familiarity-capping
https://waze.uservoice.com/forums/59223-waze-suggestion-box/suggestions/49730492-no-alerting-caps
https://waze.uservoice.com/forums/59223-waze-suggestion-box/suggestions/48472781-alert-about-speed-cameras-even-when-not-speeding

I hope this helps.

[brqqdon]

Thanks so much for the quick and detailed explanation. That clears it up perfectly. I had no idea about “familiarity capping” and why some alerts disappear after you’ve passed them a couple of times. It definitely explains the inconsistent behaviour I was seeing with that camera on the M1.

I really appreciate you taking the time not only to answer but also to link through to the Wiki and break it down in plain English. It’s good to know that it isn’t an error or a restriction, but rather a part of how Waze currently handles things.

I’ve also added my vote to those Waze Suggestion Box links. Thanks again for the thorough reply!