Back in June 2013, Google acquired Waze for approximately $966 million — which is a GPS app that uses crowdsourced information to report traffic conditions, speed traps, crashes, and construction information.
Google Maps is now testing speed trap and crash reports in the Android version of its app, indicating that the same features will be added on that app as well. Like Waze, Google Maps will rely on crowdsourced data from users to report crashes and speed traps.
Once a crash is reported, Google Maps will try to determine a better route if there is one. And users will be notified of speed traps and hazards.
This feature was discovered in an Android APK file’s code several months ago. But now the feature is appearing live for certain users of Google Maps for Android.
This feature was discovered in an Android APK file’s code several months ago. But now the feature is appearing live for certain users of Google Maps for Android as discovered by Android Police.
Google is testing crash and speed trap reporting in Maps https://t.co/pT8wLvZliE pic.twitter.com/ctWwZO7gEy
— Android Police (@AndroidPolice) November 6, 2018
If you happen to be one of the Google Maps for Android users who have access to the feature already, then you will see a report button with a “+” sign within a speech bubble at the bottom left of Maps. Tapping on the “+” button allows you to add the crash or speed trap details.
Depending on the feedback and the response from this feature will likely determine how quickly it gets rolled out to the rest of Google Maps. But since this is a test, it is not guaranteed the speed trap and crash reports will get added to Google Maps.
Some of the other features that were added to Google Maps recently include a “follow” button for the Android version so you can receive special offers and information about events. And real-time journey tracking was added to the iPhone version. Group polling and EV charging station features were also added to Google Maps recently.
