Waze forum

ituajr wrote:If any of the defending parties

I agree that it is possible for anyone to be sued for any reason.

So is this the reason why we are looking at changing the map?

ituajr wrote: OK, so your point is "We can't always implement the avoid-rat-running system". I agree. I think this is an unusual situation

The thing is I am not sure it is unusual. If you look at the Moorooka case the southern end of Anson St and the Western end of Hamilton Rd do not have the signs. If you did not "gate" these two streets as well as all the rest then routing would be broken for trips into the area.
https://www.waze.com/editor/?env=row&lo ... =345057088
https://www.waze.com/editor/?env=row&lo ... =341627509

If you look at Kangaroo Pt which has been "gated" then (in my quick look around) Bell St (on the west side) and Paton St only have a sign at one end but have the red ground markings.

Thomas St has nothing but has been "gated" as has Pearson St and Sinclair St. I would guess this is because Bell St (on the East side of Main) has the sign but if only that street was "gated" then routing to Bell St would be affected. Its also worth pointing out that this series of streets to the east of Main St don't even need to be "gated" because they don't lead anywhere so there is nowhere to rat-run to.

My point of all this is that even if it is agreed that it isnt ideal that routes are suggested through "local traffic only" streets trying to solve this may be (a) unnecessary in some cases and (b) impossible in others (unless you gate non-"local traffic only" streets as well)

Edit: To summarise: adjusting the map to stop rat-running is easy. Doing it in a way that doesn't adversely affect routing into the area or legitimate use of non-"local only streets" not so much.

ituajr wrote: My main concern is the risk involved if there is an incident involving death, serious injury, or significant loss, and the injured party says Waze routing through a "local traffic only" street was a contributory factor.

I think that it is worth continuing as I think we are narrowing down on the issue. This is your reason for wanting to adjust the map. Does anyone else have a different reason for feeling that the map should be adjusted? Who else share's ituajr's concern? For the record I think the risk is very low of the Waze map being blamed (in whatever proportion) for an accident. So I am hesitant to agree with the need to change the map noting the problems with doing so in my previous posts. The risk - reward balance isn't tipping the scale for me.

Here is another example of how you would have to "gate" lots of non-"local traffic only" streets to stop bad routes into and through the area. I am just throwing it out there to illustrate what you would have to do (eg. "gate" more streets than potentially required) to make this work. The editor who is no longer with us obviously understood what is required to make it work and was happy to close extra streets to through traffic.

https://www.waze.com/editor/?env=row&lo ... 745&zoom=5

ituajr wrote:I've presented an example of financial risk (being sued) and an example of criminal risk (manslaughter charges).

I just don't share your assessment of the likelihood of these outcomes occurring. I have not heard of this happening to anyone. Google maps and Apple maps don't avoid using these streets. We will see what others think though.

I would be interested in hearing how you would propose addressing the issues of "gating" non-"local only" streets and ensuring routing into the area is not affected.

ituajr I quite like your suggested wiki entry if it comes to that.

I still can't bring myself to be concerned about possible legal ramifications though. Whilst I appreciate the effort you are going to to provide examples to illustrate your point we haven't been able to find an actual case where conscious online map editing decisions or errors of omission have led to an accident let alone repercussions for the map provider. My memory of newspaper reports is that the driver is at fault if they do something dumb like drive onto a runway or into a lake. In the Apple case they said sorry we are working on it and there was no legal backlash other than the police saying it was "life threatening".

There is no doubt that ones action or inaction can lead to fatal consequences in some circumstances. I can only assume though, given the lack of diversity in contributors to this thread, that others don't have a view on this matter. It would be handy to have people say something to get a feel for where people stand even without any justification.

I also agree with GG that it would be handy to just have a decision made by Waze HQ but as I said that is unlikely to happen. There is no governance of the Waze map just a bunch of people who decide they will donate their time to look after it as best they can. Why Waze HQ treats those people with contempt is beyond me.

I still think that the problems outweigh any benefits. The problems are essentially routing issues. Here are some I can think of:
- When roads are blocked (accident) or cutoff (flooding) to change the map will result in those routes becoming unavailable (unless you drive into an area where the only option is to pass one of the private road segments).
- No other major map provider is avoiding these streets
- A "local" who wants to drive across their suburb to the shops will be routed the long way.
- Looking at Kangaroo Pt. A driver might be going to rock climb and park on River Tce. They aren't therefore using the street to rat run to home they are going to park at the end of the "local only street" (on River Tce) so why would Waze route them all the way down Main St in the traffic just to turn around at the north end and drive back down? Additionally there is metered parking in these streets so would that not suggest that it is OK to drive down the street if you are going to park there (And no I don't mean it was the destination you might be driving to River Tce and will take the first park you can find)? (Disclaimer I am a rock climber)

So I wont lose sleep if we decide to "gate" off these streets but I think it will result in poor routing for many people in and around these areas that isn't the intention of the sign.