School Zone

[Australia_Wazeopedia1]

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Which State’s/Territory can map School Zones

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What is a School Zone?

School Zones are permanent hazards mapped as polygons in the Waze Map Editor (WME). When drivers approach these zones, they receive alerts in the Waze application, reminding them to adjust their speed and stay vigilant. These alerts enhance driver awareness, improve pedestrian safety, and help drivers avoid potential fines in these zones.

How to map a School Zone

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1. Click on + > Hazard > School Zone
2. Draw the polygon
3. Configure the School Zone
4. Save

We’ll explore each step in more detail below.

As you map the School Zone, you may wish to save your edits periodically along the way or all at once at the end. Once saved, the polygon will appear orange.

Drawing the polygon

Ensure the polygon encapsulates all segments within the signposted School Zone. Be as precise as possible, covering only the necessary map area.

Example of a completed polygon covering a School Zone on a major highway, including entrances from a side street and parking lot road.

Good to Know

• School Zones are independent of the segments they cover. The zone will remain intact regardless of the change to underlying segments.
• Size - polygons can be up to 3km x 3km and there is no minimum size restriction
• Polygons can overlap

Identifying School Zone Boundaries

Example of a School Zone sign in New South Wales

School Zones are typically marked with fixed signs indicating the start of the zone. These signs vary by state but generally include:

• The words “School Zone” or a graphical representation
• When the zone is enforced, typically in time of day
• A speed limit applicable for when the zone is enforced

Remember to check side roads as School Zones may begin earlier than the main road they enforce.

School Zones may have a dedicated “End School Zone” sign to indicate the end of the zone, or you will note a standard speed limit sign indicating a return to normal traffic conditions - that can be used to presume the end of the zone. If in doubt, check with the relevant State Manager for state-specific guidance about identifying boundaries.

If a school doesn’t have a signposted School Zone around it, do not create a School Zone around the school.

Configuring the School Zone

After drawing the polygon, configure the School Zone settings under Schedule and General in the left panel.

Schedule

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All School Zones must use a Centrally Managed Community Schedule. School Zone Based Individual Schedules are not permitted in Australia.

Note: If a schedule is not set, the School Zone will use the Waze default for ROW (Rest Of World) which is currently Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

You must set a schedule for every School Zone. If no schedule has been assigned you can click Set a schedule to begin, or if a schedule already applies, you can click on it to view it’s configuration and click Edit schedule if adjustments are required. From here, it is a three step process.

Step 1 When does this schedule apply? (On-Community Schedule)	To set the hours of operation for the School Zone, we will search for and apply our On-Community Schedule. Once you click within the search box the results will automatically display Schedules relevant for that State. The section highlighted in red is for School Zone Based Individual Schedules, this is not permitted in Australia.
	Locate the correct Centrally Managed Community Schedule from the search results box and select it. Ensuring the hours of operation, as indicated in the title matches that of the School Zone. HINT: referring to State based rules will help you understand the ON-Community Schedule's your State/Territory has available.
	You can review the details by clicking the drop-down arrow. Click Next - Exclusions to proceed.
Step 2 What dates should be excluded? (Off-Community Schedule)	This is where we will search for and apply our Off-Community Schedule. This Centrally Managed Community Schedule has the effect of turning the School Zone off and will mean no alerts will be provided to drivers on these dates. This schedule typically includes school holidays and statewide public holidays. Once you click within the search box the results will automatically display Schedules relevant for that State. The section crossed out in red is for School Zone Based Individual Schedules, this is not permitted in Australia.
	States may have a varying number of different Off-Community Schedules, such as region based. These differences should be easy to spot within the title. Locate the relevant Centrally Managed Community Schedule(s) from the search results box and click to apply, repeating as necessary. HINT: referring to State based rules will help you understand the OFF-Community Schedule's your State/Territory has available.
	You can review the details by clicking the drop-down arrow. Please review and make sure it suits your School Zone. Click Next - Summary to proceed.
Step 3 Summary	The Summary screen allows you to review all the schedules which have been applied - take care to make sure they match what you need. Click Create schedule/Save changes to apply.

General settings

Field	Details
Name of school	This field, much like the Junction Box name field, serves no purpose in the Waze application and should generally be left blank.
School zone speed limit	The speed limit for the School Zone is required and must be entered. At the moment, drivers won’t see the updated speed limits within School Zones. In future phases, speed limits within School Zones will adjust according to the schedule, ensuring they only apply when the School Zone alert is active.
Exclude road types	Include the segment types you wish to exclude from the School Zone. Drivers will not be alerted to entering the zone when travelling on these segment types, even if they turn onto a non-excluded segment type whilst already within the zone. Where to add exclusions Example of when to map School Zone excluded road types - a School Zone covering a highway overpass Generally no segments need to be excluded, but in this example as the School Zone extends across a highway overpass, all segments within the polygon will be captured - this will generate incorrect alerts for those travelling along the highway. By excluding the Major Highway and Ramp road types, we can address this issue. Where not to add exclusions Where a School Zone exists on a main road (for example a Primary Street) which is intersected by another road (for example a Street). While traffic travelling down the Street may continue past and not enter the School Zone, if we were to exclude it, then those who turn onto the Primary Street from the Street will not be alerted. It is intended for Waze to alert drivers leaving private property that they are entering a School Zone, even if they are leaving a school car park. This would not be a valid reason to exclude a road type such as Parking Lot Road, Private Road, etc.

Overlapping School Zones

An example in Victoria of overlapping School Zones

In some cases, School Zones may need to overlap. This is typically required when zones have different speed limits or hours of operation.

Using the example in the picture above, approaching on the Primary Street where the standard speed limit is 60km/h, the School Zone speed changes to 40km/h. Compare this to approaching, effectively the same School Zone, on the Major Highway where the standard speed limit is 80km/h, the School Zone speed changes to only 60km/h. As such the School Zone is mapped with two separate polygons so that the correct speed limit will be presented in the Waze application.

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Additional resources

• Waze Discuss: School Zone and Scheduler now in Waze Production
• Waze has published generic instructions for School Zones (Permanent Hazards) | How to Doc which can be referenced as an addition to these localised guidelines.