Even if Uber purchased a part of Microsoft's traffic oriented services, Bing Maps recently received updates that could make it a great route planner.
Bing Maps plans to be a strong competitor to Google Maps and the Microsoft traffic service knows it must offer something more than the competition if it wants to lure Google loyalists. That is why Bing Maps now lets you see snapshots of real-time traffic, provided by more than 35,000 street-view cameras. 11 countries, including Spain and the United States, are part of the program.
Users who want to make good use of the photographic information must install the Bing Maps app. A simple tap of the Traffic button (at the top of the app) allows you to study the traffic levels in the partnered cities. You can look at multiple cameras at once, causing the screen to divide into smaller windows, or you can glance only at the one that interests you.
When you configure a specific route, the Maps app helps you peruse through the cameras that are on your path. The earlier editions of the app embedded the Clearflow traffic prediction algorithms, describing how crowded a certain road was. This feature is available in Google Maps, as well. Bing Maps separates traffic levels in four color-coded categories: green for no traffic, yellow for light traffic, orange for moderate traffic and red for heavy traffic.
One great advantage of having access to information from traffic cameras is that any driver can plan a better, quicker route to his destination. Avoiding congestion can mean a better road environment for all involved, and Bing Maps helps you achieve that with ease. The interface is very intuitive and easy to begin using. On the other hand, having this sort of real-time information could be used with malicious intent and some wonder if the security risk is worth it.
Earlier this year, Bing Maps underwent a revamp which gave it a new layout and upgraded result cards. This means that users can optimize their routes better and bookmark their frequently visited destinations.
One thing that Microsoft's Bing Maps app does better than Google Maps is that it highlights businesses between the start and the end point of your route, such as hotels, restaurants and most importantly, gas stations.
