Traffic Event Creation and Editing Guide
Creating and Editing Traffic Events
Waze Community (Wazeopedia) Official Guide Japan Edition
By reflecting event information (marathons, festivals, construction, etc.) on the map, drivers can receive advance notifications and avoid traffic jams and restrictions.
Editors play a crucial role in keeping regional traffic moving smoothly.
What are Traffic Events?
- Waze notifies drivers of traffic changes caused by events
- Editors or partners register and edit event information
- Closures and traffic impact areas are reflected on the map
Tip: For permanent restrictions, please refer to the local guides on Waze Discuss.
Basic Process for Creating Traffic Events
① Gather Local Information
- Event type
- Start / End time
- Official name
- Related links
- Existence of closures and affected areas
② Create Event in WME
- Map the event itself, the area, and the closures
- Enter required information (the event name is most important)
③ Wait for Publication
- After review, an event page is generated and published
- Drivers in the target area will be notified
Types of Events (3 Methods)
Road Closure-Based
- Example: Events with clear closure sections like marathons
- Notifies drivers who have used the target roads within the last 40 days
Polygon (Area) Based
- Example: Street events where closure timing is unclear
- Notifies drivers who have driven within the polygon
Closure + Polygon Combined (Recommended)
- Covers both specific closures and broad area impacts
- Provides the widest notification range
Note:
- Waze does not publish „construction events“ for roads other than major thoroughfares
- The event submitter themselves may not receive a notification
Support
You can learn more in the „Traffic Events and Closures“ course at Waze Academy.
Creating Closure-Based Events
[Step 1] Create the Event
- Log in to WME
- Enter the location in the search bar
- Left panel „Events“ → „Create Event“
- Select category
- Concert / Construction / Crisis / Demonstration / Holiday / Other / Parade / Sports / Summit
- Enter the affected area (city/town)
- Set start and end dates/times
- Recommended to add 1–2 hours to account for early closures
- Enter Event Name (English)
No typos, no special characters, no links - Enter description and translation (local language) as needed
- Official website URL (optional)
- Set Lock Level
- Save
[Step 2] Add Road Closures
- Select closure location on the map (coordinate input recommended)
- Select segment → „Road Closures“ → „Add Closure“
- Enter closure direction / duration
- Link to the event
- Set HOV/Service road adjacency
- Set nodes (intersections) to closed/open
- Save
→ Repeat for all necessary closures
[Step 3] Submit the Event
- Open the event → Confirm details
- „Submit“ → OK → Save
- An event page is generated, and it will show as „Ready“ in WME
Creating Polygon (Impact Area) Based Events
[Step 1] Create the Event
(Mostly the same flow as closure events)
Setting the Affected Area (Two Methods)
◆ Method ①: Draw a Polygon on the Map (Recommended)
- „Specific Area“ → „Draw on Map“
- Click to create vertices, double-click to close
- Polygons cannot be deleted after submission (only editing is possible)
◆ Method ②: Direct Coordinate Input
- Paste GeoJSON / KML / WKT → Generate
Other: Enter start/end date and time, event name, description, etc. → Save.
[Step 2] Submit the Event
- „Submit“ → OK → Save
Combined Closure + Polygon Events (Recommended)
Step 1
→ Same as „Creating Polygon Events“
Step 2
→ Same as „Adding Closures for Closure-Based Events“
Step 3
→ Submit and publish the event
Summary of Key Points
- The Event Name is the most important item used for notifications and app display
- Do not include special characters or links
- Set closure times with a buffer
- Draw polygons carefully as they cannot be deleted after submission
- Events appear at www.waze.com/events after review
- Editing permissions can be restricted by Lock Level
Related Links
- Waze Discuss (Traffic Events)
https://discuss.waze.com/ - Wazeopedia (Official Map Editing Guide)
https://wazeopedia.waze.com/ - Waze Map Editor (WME)
https://www.waze.com/editor - Waze Events (List of Published Events)
https://www.waze.com/events - Waze Academy (Incidents, Closures, and Events Learning)
https://academy.waze.com/
1. What are Traffic Events?
When traffic changes due to marathons, festivals, construction, etc.,
Waze volunteer editors can register events in advance and notify drivers.
By registering an event:
- Drivers receive advance notice of traffic changes
- Route selection is optimized
- Traffic jams are avoided and safety is ensured
2. Basic Process for Creating Events
① Collect Local Information
- Event Name (official name)
- Start and End Date/Time
- Location
- Official Link
- Related closure information
② Create Event in WME
WME is here: https://www.waze.com/editor
- Select event type
- Map affected areas and closure locations
- Enter attributes (date/time, description, language translation, URL, etc.)
③ Publication and Notification
Once submitted, Waze reviews it → Upon publication,
push notifications are sent to affected drivers.
3. Types of Events (3 Patterns)
A. Road Closure-Based Events (e.g., Marathons)
- Used when closure sections are clearly defined
- Notifies drivers who have traveled on those roads in the past 40 days
B. Polygon-Based (Area) Events (e.g., Festivals, City Events)
- Used when exact closure locations are unknown
- Draw a polygon surrounding the event area
- Notifies drivers who have driven in that region or have saved locations there
C. Closure + Polygon (Recommended)
- Provides the widest notification coverage
- Combines main closures with a surrounding area polygon
Important Notes
Waze does not publish construction events
→ Exceptions apply only to major roads, highways, and bridges
The submitter themselves may not receive a notification
→ If they haven’t traveled there in the past 40 days or haven’t saved the location
4. Steps to Create a Closure-Based Event
Step 1: Create the Event
- Log in to WME
- Click „Events“ → „Create Event“ in the left panel
- Select a category (e.g., Sports, Construction, Crisis, Holiday, Parade, etc.)
- Set „Affected Area“
- Enter Event Name (English)
- Description (optional)
- Add Translation (local language)
- Enter official website URL
- Set Lock Level
- Save
Category descriptions can be found here:
https://wazeopedia.waze.com/wiki/
Step 2: Add Road Closures
- Select the road to be closed
- „Road Closures“ tab → „Add Closure“
- Set closure direction and date/time
- Enter event name
- Link to the event
- Set node closures if necessary
- Save
Detailed guide on closures (Waze Academy):
https://academy.waze.com/
Step 3: Submit the Event
- Confirm event details
- „Submit“ → OK
- Save
After submission:
- Posted on the public page: https://www.waze.com/events
- Shows as „Ready“ in the WME event list
5. Creating Polygon-Based Events
Step 1: Create Event
- WME → „Create Event“
- Select category
- Draw a polygon or paste GeoJSON / KML / WKT coordinates
- Set date/time
- Event name
- Description
- Translation
- Official URL
- Lock level
- Save
Useful external tool for creating GeoJSON
https://geojson.io/
Step 2: Submit the Event
- „Submit“ → OK → Save
- Added to the public page
6. Closure + Polygon (Recommended)
- Simply combine Step 2 of „Creating Closure-Based Events“
- With Step 1 of „Creating Polygon-Based Events“.
This maximizes the notification target and is optimal for driver safety.
Learn More
- Waze Academy (Closures, Crisis, Events)
https://academy.waze.com/ - Waze Discuss - Event Creation Forum
https://discuss.waze.com/"}