Google Maps’ new features could help you avoid traffic and find parking easily

Ever been in a situation where Google Maps showed you will reach your destination in an hour but the actual time when you do reach is quite different? And have you ever struggled to find parking space in an unfamiliar building? If you answered yes to any of these questions, there is some good news for you. Seems like Google has acknowledged these problems and wants to solve them for people.

In a recent blog post, the company announced two new updates for Google Maps and they can help end your traffic and parking woes. Thanks to these updates, you might be able to get to know if a particular road has been blocked by traffic or other factors. In addition to this, you might also get some help figuring out parking areas near a new building. Want to know exactly how these features work? Read on.

Google Maps could end your traffic woes

As part of the new update, Google Maps now allows users to report incidents and provide useful information like construction zones, lane closures, obstacles, and police presence more easily. As a result, other drivers can be updated in case a particular route is facing challenges and avoid the hassle altogether.

These reports come from both the Maps and Waze communities, and you can even see which app the report originated from. With larger, more accessible icons, sharing updates can be quicker. Other drivers can confirm these reports with a simple tap, helping everyone on the road stay informed. Google also announced that this enhanced reporting feature is being rolled out globally on Android and iOS, as well as in cars with Google built-in, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

“Say you’re driving and traffic suddenly comes to a halt. To help keep your fellow drivers informed on the road, Maps is making it easier to report incidents and helpful information, like nearby construction, lane closures, objects and police presence,” Google said in its blog post.

Finding parking just got easier

We have all been in situations where we got to a particular destination on time, but still got late as finding parking seemed impossible in the unfamiliar area. To help with this, Google has announced a new feature.

As you get closer to your destination, the new destination guidance feature will automatically highlight your building and its entrance, as well as nearby parking lots. This is particularly useful when heading to an unfamiliar place, especially in the dark or late at night

New features for Waze

In the same blog post, Google also announced some new features for Waze, its other mapping app like Google Maps.

As per the blog post, Waze is enhancing its navigation app with several new features. It is introducing alerts for various traffic enforcement cameras, such as those monitoring speed, red light violations, and lane usage, helping drivers stay compliant with traffic rules.

Additionally, Waze will notify users about traffic events like parades or concerts that could impact road conditions, allowing users to share these updates with friends and family to help them plan their routes better.

Lastly, Waze users will soon be able to receive navigation guidance and real-time updates even when their phone’s screen is locked.

About Google Maps and Waze

For the unversed, Google acquired Waze in 2013 and has maintained it as a distinct app with its own development team and unique features. Although both Google Maps and Waze offer essential navigation services, they cater to different user preferences and needs, making each app suitable for various types of users depending on how they prefer to navigate.