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Have you ever tried to follow a route and wondered if there is a traffic jam ahead so you could either continue or change route? This challenge occurs all the time in a metropolis like Lagos. We’ve all been stuck in traffic at one time or another, and we all probably agree that there are better ways to spend our time. Some of us get caught in traffic on a daily basis but it doesn’t have to be that way with the best traffic apps. Below are top three best traffic apps to save you time, prevent frustration and get you to work before your boss.
No. 1 Best Traffic App: WAZE
Waze makes the list first for best traffic apps because it does two crucial traffic-related functions very well. It gives app users reliable driving directions while also delivering up-to-date traffic data. Waze records data about your drive – how fast you are driving, your route, and more; it then shares that data with other Waze users on the road as it shares their data with your app. Think crowdsourcing, but for traffic.
Not only did Waze create an app that gives users a way to work together to outsmart traffic, they gamified the navigation portion of driving. As a passenger, you can collect points for reporting traffic instances, from roadkill and hazards to weather conditions and police officers. You can even start chats with other users and customize your avatar.
While Waze can help you quickly reroute to beat the traffic, it can now even help you find where to park and schedule reminders to tell you when it’s time to leave. The app can seamlessly pull information from your calendar, pick a route and alert you when to go.
Shortcomings: The biggest downfall of Waze is that it relies heavily on other users, so drivers who are in areas where there may not be a large number of Waze users might not get the value from this app. Another downfall is there are no walking or bus routes options. Waze has also been bought by Google and many of their features have been added to the standard Google Maps interface, making the technology less unique. However, the premium features have stayed with Waze. Which leads us to our number two choice.
DOWNLOAD WAZE FOR ANDROID HERE
DOWNLOAD WAZE FOR iOS HERE
No. 2 Best Traffic App: Google Maps
Like everything Google produces, you can expect a superior experience. Google Maps is the only traffic app. With more than a billion monthly users worldwide, Google Maps sits on a mound of data, and can also quickly reroute people based on traffic delays. Google Maps can also help you navigate bus routes and walking directions.
Google Maps is sleek. It features intuitive navigation through the app and makes routing simple. Plus, Google Maps has a host of other features to make your travel plans easier. You can book reservations at your favourite restaurant, compare options from foodies in the area and even order food straight through the app. Business owners can also upload their floor plans, 360 views around their building and give virtual tours.
Shortcomings: If you compared Waze directly to Google Maps, you’ll immediately notice that the police warnings are gone, which a lot of customers appreciate. And while Google Maps has implemented some of the Waze technology of updating the routes for you, they haven’t quite caught up to Waze’s superior crowdsourcing abilities.
DOWNLOAD GOOGLE MAPS FOR ANDROID HERE
DOWNLOAD GOOGLE MAPS FOR iOS HERE
No. 3 Best Traffic App: INRIX
INRIX’s free traffic app is very simple and backed with some pretty cool technology. The app is powered by a cloud platform called Autotelligent – which is also found in dashboards of luxury cars like BMWs and Porches – that makes proactive decisions and optimizes your route. INRIX calculates the time it will take you to reach your destination based on current traffic conditions while predicting future traffic conditions.
The traffic app also lets you see projected travel time if you were to wait a while before leaving. This way you can find the optimum time to travel in addition to the best route. What sets INRIX apart from Waze and Google Maps is its ability to learn the unique driver’s habits to give every user a customized route based on their preferences.
Shortcomings: INRIX will adjust your suggested leaving time based on your preferred route, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be the fasted route. If efficiency is your primary concern, INRIX doesn’t necessarily operate on that factor.
INRIX’s app is free, and makes its revenue by selling data collected through its driving app to third parties and transportation departments. While that means no ads in-apps for you, which is less distractions during your experience, you do have to be comfortable with the fact your driving data is being sold.
DOWNLOAD INRIX FOR ANDROID HERE
DOWNLOAD INRIX FOR iOS HERE
Just as these three best traffic apps are constantly improving, car technology is also constantly getting more advanced. More apps are still introduced. It’s now easier for drivers to navigate there way around.
