CTV News: Google Maps warning drivers of some photo radar cameras. “While directing drivers on when and where to turn to get to a destination, Google Maps is also giving a little direction on safety. A feature currently being rolled out sees a verbal warning shared to drivers approaching a fixed speed camera, saying ‘speed camera ahead’ in an automated voice.”
Waze
Techdirt: NYPD Sends Letter To Google Demanding It Remove Cop Checkpoint Notifications From Google Maps
Techdirt: NYPD Sends Letter To Google Demanding It Remove Cop Checkpoint Notifications From Google Maps. “A few years after law enforcement officials claimed Google’s Waze navigation app allowed cop killers to stalk cops, the NYPD is demanding Google alter one of its apps (Google Maps, which incorporates certain Waze features) so it works more like the NYPD wants it to work, rather than how drivers want it to work. Gersh Kuntzman of Streetsblog NYC was the first to obtain a copy of a cease-and-desist sent to Google by the NYPD.”
Engadget: Google Maps gets collision and speed trap reports in latest test
Engadget: Google Maps gets collision and speed trap reports in latest test. “When Google bought Waze back in 2013 it was widely assumed it would only be a matter of time before some of the traffic app’s more popular features made their way onto Maps. It’s taken a while, but now it looks like Google is getting ready to add incident reports — a move suggested by an APK teardown a few months back and, more recently, the appearance of the feature for some Maps users.”
Route Fifty: A New Open-Source Framework for Government Projects
Route Fifty: A New Open-Source Framework for Government Projects. “The Louisville Metro Government recently moved some of its mobility data to the cloud and open-sourced the code so any city can build the infrastructure nearly for free.”
Bernama: Waze to alert drivers of wild animals?
Bernama: Waze to alert drivers of wild animals?. “The Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) is in discussion with community based traffic and navigation app, Waze to include roadkill hot spots affecting wild animals, especially endangered species. Biodiversity Conservation Division assistant director Gilmore G. Bolongon said the effort is one of the department’s long term strategies to protect wildlife.”
Pasadena Star-News: Waze, Google Maps make traffic matters worse during Skirball and Creek fires, officials say
Pasadena Star-News: Waze, Google Maps make traffic matters worse during Skirball and Creek fires, officials say. “During this week’s wildfires, navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps were guiding drivers into evacuation areas and caused congestion where officials were ordering streets closed, according to a motion introduced by Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz on Friday, Dec. 8.”
Google Launches New Ride-Sharing Program
Google has launched a new ride-sharing program. San Francisco only, and does not sound like it’s suitable for side gigs. “There are some appreciable differences between Waze Rider and its more established rivals, however. For starters, Google only allows drivers and riders to take two trips per day. Drivers only make $0.54 per mile, so they’re only getting reimbursed for the mileage rather than turning a profit. While both of those features keep the service limited to commuters for now, they also skirt the regulations that Lyft and Uber are now subject to.”
