Photo: reddit user nzahn1
Waze is getting a new feature on Android and iPhone (which means the same functionality also lands on Android Auto and CarPlay too) that will alert drivers when they approach an at-grade railroad crossing.
In other words, when you’re driving with Waze on the screen of the phone or the car and you’re getting closer to a railroad crossing, you should get a new warning from the app.
Previously, because Waze lacked such functionality, users turned to different ways to alert others of railroad crossings, including the generic hazard on road notification with custom text.
But more recently, the Google-owned app went live across the world, and now the map editors are hard at work to further refine it in order to make the warnings as accurate as possible.
Someone explains on reddit that help from users is also needed in order to polish the railroad crossing warnings.
“In the past week, the new Railroad Crossings feature has been rolled out to app users in the US (and elsewhere). However, the editor community just received the data to begin verifying these crossings. The data is extensive, and will take time to resolve issues (like the one shown below). If you encounter an issue with a RR-Crossing while driving, use the REPORT > Map issue feature in the app, and please describe the error,” the say.
One of the biggest issues with the lack of warnings when approaching a railroad crossing is that some drivers turn onto the tracks when the navigation app tells them to make a turn. So with the new warning, Waze substantially reduces the risk of an accident, as drivers are alerted in advance when they approach a railroad crossing, no matter if they must turn left or right just after the tracks.
The new alerts can also be disabled from the Waze settings screen if you don’t want to be notified of approaching railroad crossings.
Previously, because Waze lacked such functionality, users turned to different ways to alert others of railroad crossings, including the generic hazard on road notification with custom text.
But more recently, the Google-owned app went live across the world, and now the map editors are hard at work to further refine it in order to make the warnings as accurate as possible.
Someone explains on reddit that help from users is also needed in order to polish the railroad crossing warnings.
“In the past week, the new Railroad Crossings feature has been rolled out to app users in the US (and elsewhere). However, the editor community just received the data to begin verifying these crossings. The data is extensive, and will take time to resolve issues (like the one shown below). If you encounter an issue with a RR-Crossing while driving, use the REPORT > Map issue feature in the app, and please describe the error,” the say.
One of the biggest issues with the lack of warnings when approaching a railroad crossing is that some drivers turn onto the tracks when the navigation app tells them to make a turn. So with the new warning, Waze substantially reduces the risk of an accident, as drivers are alerted in advance when they approach a railroad crossing, no matter if they must turn left or right just after the tracks.
The new alerts can also be disabled from the Waze settings screen if you don’t want to be notified of approaching railroad crossings.
Google News