This article describes the recommended installation guidelines for Waze Beacons, written with the help of 3M engineers after a thorough testing process.
Note:
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If you plan to deviate from the following guidelines, please inform the Waze team before performing the installation.
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Any changes to the installation process that deviate from the guidelines (including materials, cleaning process or placement setup) may be harmful or affect the Beacons effectiveness.
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Installation should only be undertaken after assessing relevant tunnel conditions and performed by competent installers.
Installation height
Waze Beacons should be mounted on the tunnel wall. If there’s a convenient mounting facility along the tunnel, like a rail, it can be used even if not exactly at optimal height.
Installation height should be as consistent as possible throughout the tunnel. In tunnels lower than 3 meters please consult with the Waze team prior to installation.
- Optimal height: 4-5 meters
- Minimum height: 3 meters
- Maximum height: 6 meters
Example: Consistent height and spacing throughout the tunnel
Installation spacing
NOTE: Beacons should be installed with consistent spacing between them (as much as possible).
If a single Beacon needs to be placed a few meters away from the marker (due to an object in the way / tunnel conditions), the following Beacons should still be installed in their planned locations, without taking into consideration the single offset.
The offset should not be more than 2 meters from the planned location.
- Optimal spacing: 20 meters
- Minimum spacing: 15 meters
- Maximum spacing: 40 meters
Example: Beacon 21 needs to be moved due to interfering pole, the following Beacons are installed in planned locations regardless
Installation sequence
Waze Beacons are pre-configured and labeled with numbers by default. However, we recommend marking the number in a larger font on the front and bottom side of the Beacon to avoid incorrect order installation, which may cause delays in deployment.
Each tunnel tube requires a separate set of Beacons, sequenced from the lowest to the highest, from portal to portal (or portal to gore, gore to gore, etc…).
Example: Single tube of a two-way tunnel. Beacons sequence 1-12
Example: Two consecutive tubes of a two-way tunnel. West tube Beacons sequence is 1-12. East tube Beacons sequence is 13-24
In complex tunnels which include ramps (merging and forking tubes), follow these guidelines:
- Install Beacons in the main tube starting with the lowest-numbered Beacon and counting up until the end of the tube.
- For each on/off ramp use a new sequence, starting with the lowest-numbered Beacon that remained from the main tube.
Example: Main tube Northbound Beacons sequence is 1-6. Main tube Southbound Beacons sequence is 7-12. Incoming entrance ramp northbound sequence is 13-16. Outgoing exit ramp southbound sequence is 17-21.
Installation side
To prevent gaps in the Beacons sequence, install the Beacons in the main tube on the side that has the least amount of ramps coming in/going out, or parking lot openings.
Beacons on a ramp should be placed in a way that their backs are to the main tube, as illustrated.
