Create & edit traffic events

Waze helps drivers prepare for traffic-impacting events by sending them alerts about live or expected traffic conditions. As a Waze partner, you can help keep traffic flowing smoothly by mapping events early and notifying drivers in advance.

Need more information? Check out our Waze Academy course on traffic events and road closures.

Traffic event creation process

Here's the high-level process for creating a traffic event:

  1. Gather the details: Collect all key information, such as the event type, its official name, the start and end dates and times, and any relevant links
  2. Create the event: Use the Waze Map Editor (WME) to map the event, its area, and any known closures, then fill in the required details
  3. Submit for publication: Once submitted, Waze will review and publish the event. After it's live, drivers in the affected area will get notifications based on the event's schedule.

Traffic event types

Based on the information you have, there are 3 types of traffic events:

  • Closure-based events: For events with known road closures, like a marathon, you can map the specific roads affected. Drivers who frequently use these roads (in the last 40 days) or have saved places nearby will get notifications.
  • Polygon-based events: For events where the exact closures are unknown but traffic will be affected, like a block party, you can draw a polygon around the impacted area. Drivers who frequently drive in this area (in the last 40 days) or have saved places within the polygon will get notifications.
  • Combined closure & polygon-based events (recommended): If you have information about both known closures and the overall affected area, it's best to map both. This approach provides better event coverage and ensures all affected drivers get notifications.

Note:

  • Waze only publishes construction events on major roads, highways, or bridges
  • Drivers only get notifications for events if they frequently drive in the area or have saved places nearby
  • You can edit traffic events only within your pre-defined approved area

Traffic event categories

When creating an event, you'll need to choose a category that best describes its nature. Use the following list to select the most appropriate option.

  • Concert: Music events and festivals
  • Construction: Short and long roadwork and infrastructure projects 
  • Crisis: Natural disasters or infrastructural failures. For crisis events, check this guide on reporting and creating crisis events.
  • Demonstration: Public protests or rallies
  • Holiday celebration: Events related to public holidays 
  • Other: Events that don't fit into other categories
  • Parade: Organized processions or marches
  • Sporting event: Games and competitions 
  • Summit: High-profile meetings or conferences
  • Unplanned disruption: Live, unexpected traffic events that have a major impact on traffic. For more information, check out this article.
  • Local driving advisory: Permanent changes to traffic arrangements or regulations. Note that this isn't a standard traffic event and has special requirements. For more information, check out this article.

Create a traffic event

Create a closure-based event

Step 1: Create the event

  1. Log in to the Waze Map Editor
  2. In the search bar, enter the location of the event
  3. In the left-side panel, click Events. The panel will expand. 
  4. Click Create event
  5. In the "Event category" field, select a category that best describes the event
  6. In the "Impacted area" field:
    1. Select "City"
    2. Click No address. Additional fields will appear.
    3. Select the relevant city and if needed, the state
    4. Click Apply
  7. Enter the "Start of traffic" and "End of traffic" dates and times for the event
    Tip: When setting event times, consider adding one to two hours to both the start and end times to account for potential early or delayed road closures.
  8. In the "Event name" field, enter a name for your event in English
    Note: The event name you enter is what drivers see in notifications and in the Waze app, so it's a critical step. Make sure your event’s name:
    • Has correct spelling and grammar
    • Clearly reflects the event
    • Doesn’t include special characters (for example: $%!&*)
    • Doesn’t include links
  9. Optional:
    1. In the “Event description” section, enter a short description
      Note: For most events, the description isn't currently displayed to users in Waze. Instead, Waze displays a default message: "Expect delays due to increased traffic and congestion. Use Waze for real-time updates on closures and alternate routes."
    2. In the “Translations” field, select the relevant language:
      1. In the "Event name" field, enter the event name in the local language
      2. In the "Event description" field, enter the event description in the local language
    3. In the “Event website” field, enter the official event website
  10. In the top-right corner, click Save

Step 2: Add road closures

  1. Find the closure's location. You can either:
    1. Pan around and find it on the map 
    2. In the search bar, enter the closure's coordinates (recommended)
  2. Click the relevant segment
  3. Click the Road Closures tab
  4. Click Add closure
  5. In the "Description" field, enter the event name
  6. In the "Direction" field, select the direction from which the road is closed
  7. Enter the "Start" and "End" dates and times for the closure
    Tip: For closures that are expected to last all day, set the closure times to 00:00 - 23:59 for that specific day.
  8. In the "Event" field, select the traffic event you previously created
  9. Select or clear the "HOV/Service Road adjacent" option
    Note: If this option is selected, Waze ignores all detected live traffic and won’t monitor the closure for real-time changes. Select this option only if the closure is next to an HOV/Service lane where GPS readings may be misunderstood as activity on the closed road.
  10. Under the "Closure nodes" section, close or open closure nodes. Closing a node prevents traffic from passing through it in any direction, including cross streets.
    Tip: Use this feature sparingly as closing all nodes can lead to blocking valid turn options, preventing Waze from routing drivers through open intersections.
  11. In the "Provided by" field, select your organization 
  12. In the top-right corner, click Save
  13. Repeat the steps in this section for each closure

Step 3: Submit the event

When you've finished setting up the event, you'll need to submit it for review by the Waze team. 

  1. Click Events
  2. Click your event to view the details
  3. Verify the event details are correct
  4. Click the Road Closures tab
  5. Verify the road closures are associated with the event
  6. Click the General tab
  7. Click Submit. A pop-up window will appear.
  8. Click OK
  9. In the top-right corner, click Save

Submitting the event will create an event webpage, visible at waze.com/events, and will appear in the WME’s event list with a "Ready" status. 

Create a polygon-based event

Step 1: Create the event

  1. Log in to the Waze Map Editor
  2. In the search bar, enter the location of the event
  3. In the left-side panel, click Events. The panel will expand.
  4. Click Create event
  5. In the "Event category" field, select a category that best describes the event
  6. In the "Impacted area" field, define the impact area. You can do this in 2 ways:
    • Option 1: Draw a polygon
      1. Select "Specific area (recommended)"
      2. Click Draw on map
      3. With your mouse pointer, click on the map to start drawing the polygon around the affected area
      4. Double-click to close the polygon
        Note: 
        • Make sure to accurately draw the polygon to reflect the impacted area
        • If the polygon-based event doesn't have closures, once it's submitted, you can't delete the polygon you drew. To edit a polygon's area, click it and adjust the points. Repeat for each adjustment.
    • Option 2: Enter coordinates
      1. Select "Specific area (recommended)"
      2. Click Insert area coordinates
      3. Paste the GeoJSON, KML, or WKT polygon string
      4. Click Create polygon
  7. Enter the "Start of traffic" and "End of traffic" dates and times for the event
    Tip: When setting event times, consider adding one to two hours to both the start and end times to account for potential early or delayed road closures.
  8. In the "Event name" field, enter a name for your event in English
    Note: The event name you enter is what drivers see in notifications and in the Waze app, so it's a critical step. Make sure your event's name:
    • Has correct spelling and grammar
    • Clearly reflects the event
    • Doesn't include special characters (for example: $%!&*)
    • Doesn't include links
  9. Optional:
    1. In the "Event description" field, enter a short description
      Note: For most events, the description isn't currently displayed to users in Waze. Instead, Waze displays a default message: "Expect delays due to increased traffic and congestion. Use Waze for real-time updates on closures and alternate routes."
    2. Add your event name in the local language:
      1. In the "Translations" field, select the relevant language
      2. Enter the event name in the local language
    3. In the "Event website" field, enter the official event website
  10. In the top-right corner, click Save

Step 2: Submit the event

When you've finished setting up the event, you'll need to submit it for review by the Waze team.

  1. Click Submit. A pop-up window will appear.
  2. Click OK
  3. In the top-right corner, click Save

Submitting the event will create an event webpage, visible on waze.com/events and will appear in the WME's event list with a "Ready" status. 

Create a closure & polygon-based event

Edit an existing traffic event

You can edit fields for existing traffic events. When you do, remember that each event must have closures or polygons associated with it.

Got questions?

What if my event needs special handling?

For events that don't meet the general guidelines or require special consideration, email [email protected] and provide the following information:

  • The event name in English and the local language
  • All street names closed during the event
  • Intersecting streets where each closure begins and ends
  • Start and end time for each closed road
  • Start and end date for each closed road
  • Whether the entire road is closed or just one direction

Why didn't I get a push notification for an event I created?

Here are some reasons why you may not have received a notification:

  • The event wasn't published: Waze may sometimes avoid publishing an event for various reasons. For example, the event may have missing or invalid information or there isn't enough time remaining before the event starts.
  • Your account didn't meet the criteria for notifications: You may not have received a notification if your account didn't meet the criteria for one. Notifications are only sent to drivers who are likely to be affected by the event, based on their recent driving history and saved locations.
  • Additional considerations: Waze applies additional logic when determining which drivers to notify, such as a driver's app settings and the time of day the event occurs

How can I check my event's push notification status?

To check the status of your event:

  1. Log in to the Waze Map Editor
  2. In the search bar, enter the location of the event
  3. In the left-side panel, click Events. The panel will expand. 

Your event will appear with its current publication status:

  • Draft: The event hasn't been saved in WME
  • Pending: The event has been saved but not yet submitted
  • Ready: The event has been submitted for review to determine push notification eligibility
  • Published: The event is live and a push notification was sent

My traffic event doesn't have an official English name. What should I do?

If your event doesn't have an official English name, consider these options, listed in order of preference:

  • Translate the name as closely as possible to English while ensuring it still makes sense to local users
  • Use a generic English name based on the event type (instead of "Flying Pig Marathon," use "Marathon")
  • Use the local language traffic event name in Latin characters, removing all special characters from the title

How do I report an issue related to a traffic event?

If you find a closure issue or incorrect information in the WME, Waze app, or the live event website, please email [email protected] with the following details:

  • Date the issue occurred
  • Username of the person who encountered it
  • Name and date of the affected event
  • A detailed description of the issue
  • Steps to recreate the issue (if possible)

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