Dear Waze Development and Product Team,
​I am writing to you as a loyal Waze user from Ukraine. I drive a subcompact car with low ground clearance. While I appreciate the app's real-time traffic updates, Waze's routing algorithms in Ukraine have repeatedly led me down roads that are physically dangerous for my vehicle. I have already suffered costly damages to my car’s oil pan and suspension because of this.
​Today, I was once again routed through a road that is completely unsuitable for low-clearance cars. I would like to highlight the specific issues with your current routing logic in regions with developing road infrastructure like Ukraine, and suggest key improvements:
​1. The "Crossover/SUV" Speed Fallacy
​In Ukraine, compact SUVs (locally called "parketnyky") are highly popular. These vehicles can easily maintain a speed of 70–90 km/h on heavily damaged or potholed roads.
​The Problem: Your algorithm sees this GPS speed data and assumes the road is "good." In reality, for a low-clearance subcompact, these speeds are impossible, and the road is a hazard.
​The Reality: In Ukraine, a truly "good" road is characterized by average speeds of 90–120 km/h. An average speed of 70–90 km/h usually indicates a road suitable only for SUVs. Please reconsider how speed limits and actual user speeds define "road quality" in your routing algorithms.
​2. Implement a "Low Clearance / Subcompact" Vehicle Profile
​Currently, the option to "avoid difficult/unpaved roads" does not solve the issue, as many paved roads in Ukraine are severely deteriorated but not classified as "dirt roads."
​The Solution: Allow users to select "Low Clearance / Subcompact Car" in their vehicle profile. The routing algorithm should then heavily deprioritize secondary or poorly rated paved roads for this profile.
​3. Pothole Density Algorithm
​Currently, users can report individual potholes.
​The Solution: If multiple pothole reports are flagged by users on a single short stretch of road, the algorithm should recognize this not just as "potholes," but as a completely degraded road. Such segments should be automatically flagged as "difficult" and excluded from standard routes.
​4. Offline/No-Signal Reporting Limitations
​In many remote or poorly maintained areas in Ukraine, mobile internet connection is unstable or non-existent. Users physically cannot report potholes in real-time. This means the worst roads often appear "clean" on your map due to a lack of reports.
​Incorporating these changes would not only save many drivers from expensive car repairs but would also make Waze the undisputed leader in smart routing for eastern European markets.
​Thank you for your time and dedication to making navigation safer.