Mobile Applications: Waze

Waze is mobile GPS navigation software that provides directions and real time traffic updates while on the go. The application is easy to use, only requiring the user to search for a location or navigate to saved or previously visited location from the search screen. You can search by address or type the name of a location. The app will show you the expected time of arrival, time to drive, distance to destination, and a general route. You have the option to add stops to your route or select alternate routes. Users can also set driving preferences such as avoiding toll road or highways in the settings menu. 

                     

Like many other navigation apps, the screen is a map layout and uses turn by turn directions to navigate you to your destination. Waze also has integrated the ability for users to report incidents they encounter along their route such as traffic, police, traffic accidents or road closures. These reports display on the map for other users to see and helps to update traffic information as well. The app is designed to run off user input and data collected from the users running the app to judge traffic congestion to project drive times and calculate appropriate routes. 

Waze does function well in most cases. I find that it functions best near large cities with adequate cellular coverage which the app needs to receive the real time updates from the service which is one of the best features of the app. If there is a major incident ahead of you on your current route, Waze will reroute you to the quickest way if possible. Washington, DC has bad traffic already, and an accident along your path can add significant time to your drive. Waze has saved me multiple times by routing me around congested areas or accidents, and there have been multiple times that I wasn’t running the app where I wish I would have. I have had instances where I have lost cellular coverage and the navigation will still run off the GPS, but there will be no updated alerts until coverage is restored.  

Overall, I think Waze is a great application and there is not much room for improvement. The improvements I would suggest are more in the category of nice to have that an improvement of the system. I think Waze should also add the ability to biking or walking routes like some other navigation apps. The map only one generic style that you can select a 2D or 3D look. I would them to add a satellite view if possible. I know some people don’t like this look for a navigation tool, but I tend to prefer it. I would also like to see them incorporate some sort of setting suggestions for your route. For instance, I always have “avoid toll roads” set to on since I don’t use the HOV lanes where I live and accidentally getting on them without an easy pass can result in significant fines. Once, I was driving back from a business trip from New York City and this setting was still on and I was about an hour away from the city before I realized I was in the middle of nowhere avoiding all the toll roads. There should be some sort of alert that there is a significant difference in drive time/distance due to current settings.