Waze is now releasing global driving data with the help of its 30K strong global community in maps of 58 countries and counting! With this data, Waze has been able to support governments to see the impact of movement restrictions placed all over the world.
Waze’s data drive showed interesting and useful details for those in charge of mitigating the effects of COVID-19. Certainly, the impact of the outbreak reaches far beyond the confines of hospitals.
In a two week period, Waze users worldwide on average drove 60% less kilometers. For a more familiar scale, Filipino Waze users dropped 88% kilometers from their usual drives this February.
However, cars are still the primary mode of transportation for essential workers and goods. Waze uses the data they gathered with their community to make these trips made to be more efficient. The Waze Map Editors and Waze Crisis Response team has been working with 58 countries to add road closures, red zones, and more to their map.
Waze has also emphasized their support to minimize risks by social distancing. They’ve lent a hand to drive-throughs and curbside pickup to help provide users with minimal contact access to Waze’s partners products selling essential goods. Moreover, Waze secured protective measures beforehand with new Location Personalities badges and search features.
Locally, Waze has put down Covid-19 Reference Laboratories in Metro Manila, Baguio, Cebu and Davao to its map for easy access to anyone. Aside from that, Waze added user- friendly adjustments for users to locate the nearest testing sites. By typing “COVID” or “covid” in the destination search bar, COVID-19 testing sites would appear by proximity.
Waze’s support for COVID- 19 efforts also extends to features to remind users of guidelines to follow. A “Luzon Quarantine” notification appearing every 24 hours in-app as a reminder. It elaborates even further with the message, “Travel is allowed only for buying essentials or if you work in an essential industry”.
Most importantly, Waze will also be working on the clock to update their data. As such, businesses can feel free to contact Waze’s support team should they need help to update their information.
Government agencies can also contribute to Waze’s COVID- 19 efforts. Waze just launched a Covid-19 Landing Page where agencies can inform Waze on essential services locations. Services like medical testing centers and emergency food distribution center need accurate locations to improve the map. Futhermore, Waze will screen data received and inform users accordingly.
Learn more about Waze, the community, and their partners’ COVID-19 relief efforts in Waze’s blog or at their landing page.
Featured image from Waze
