Australian drivers are encouraged to become real time traffic reporters through a user-based mobile navigation network. Waze uses crowdsourced road information to deliver live maps and real time traffic updates to commuters in cities around the world.
The free iPhone, Android and Blackberry application allows users’ GPS-enabled phones to transmit live traffic reports.
“By simply driving around with Waze open, users build maps, get traffic data, and alert other commuters to events on the road,” according to the Waze Los Angeles blog.
Waze users can also share information about road construction, traffic jams, police traps and other traffic events. The live data is used to provide driving directions that are adapted to real time traffic conditions.
The application’s Road Goodies munching game, aimed at increasing map and traffic-data accuracy, turns data collection into a game. Cupcake and candy icons are placed wherever there are gaps in the map data. Users ‘munch’ these icons to win game points, which are then logged on a contributor scoreboard.
Waze, which has networks in the US, UK and Europe, is hoping to expand its presence in Australia. “The driving community in Australia has only recently begun developing, so it'll take a bit of time until Waze begins to deliver its full value in your area,” the website notes.
