Waze to Introduce Enhanced Navigation Features: Parking Assistance, Speed Alerts, and Roundabout Guidance

Waze is gearing up to enhance its features, promising users the ability to locate parking garages and navigate roundabouts seamlessly. Additionally, the app will provide alerts for speed limit changes, speed bumps, and toll booths to enhance the driving experience.

(Photo : DIRK WAEM/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

Illustration picture shows a telephone with Waze navigation app in Edegem, Thursday 26 March 2020.

Enhancing User Experience

Google's navigation app Waze is set to introduce several new features aimed at enhancing user experience soon. These additions include the ability to locate nearby parking garages and view pricing details, anticipate speed limit changes, and navigate roundabouts more efficiently.

Teaming up with the Flash parking app, Waze will integrate information about nearby parking garages. It will provide details such as pricing, whether it's covered or open-air, accessibility options, valet services, and EV charging stations.

Users will also have the option to reserve a parking space directly from the Waze app. The rollout of this feature is expected in the coming weeks.

In addition to parking assistance, Waze will now notify users in advance when the speed limit is about to decrease. With this feature set to launch this month, the navigation screen will display a speed limit sign at the upcoming slowdown point on the road, allowing drivers to prepare accordingly.

A countdown alert at the bottom of the screen will indicate the distance to the speed reduction. However, the app will not indicate upcoming speed limit increases, likely to discourage speeding.

With an average rating of 1.5 stars on the App Store and 2.2 stars on the Play Store, the Flash App has faced criticism for its bugginess and unreliable parking kiosk scanning. Engadget reported that concerns arise about whether Waze's integration will inherit similar issues from its new partner's app.

Preferred, Favorite Routes

Waze is set to provide enhanced insights into users' frequently traveled routes, such as home, work, or preferred coffee spots. Beginning this month, upon initiating navigation, the app will compare these preferred routes with the fastest options available.

Leveraging real-time traffic updates, it will present ETA estimates for both, assisting users in determining if their usual route is congested and advising accordingly.

Additionally, navigating roundabouts will become more streamlined. As drivers approach a traffic circle, Waze will offer guidance on entry points, lane selection, and exit routes. While this feature will debut on Android devices this month, iPhone users will have to wait until a later release this year.

Expanding its reliance on community-driven data, Waze introduces a novel feature to warn users of impending road hazards such as sharp curves, speed bumps, and toll booths. Dubbed the "navigate like a local" feature, it is scheduled to roll out on both Android and iOS platforms this month.

Moreover, Waze now includes alerts for stationary emergency vehicles along the route. When in navigation mode, users will encounter an emergency icon on the virtual road ahead, accompanied by an alert and a countdown displayed in feet as they approach.

Currently available in the US, Canada, France, Mexico, and France, this feature is accessible on both Android and iOS devices, with plans for expansion to more countries in the near future.