Waze recently created a new railroad alert feature that is now rolling to all users around the world. The new feature will have the ability to notify drivers as they begin to get close to a railroad crossing. The railroad alerts will be displayed to users through a pop banner on the platform, which will display how far the user is from a crossing and advise caution.
Waze was able to become the first navigation platform with railroad alerts by using data from rail network operators and then verifying locations with volunteer map editors. Some of the organizations that provided data include MTA Long Island Rail Road, Amtrack, the Railway Association of Canada, Transportation Mexico, and more.
Image Credit: Waze
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Railroad Safety Alerts
- Opportunity to develop innovative safety features in navigation platforms that can alert drivers of approaching railroad crossings.
- Collaboration with Rail Network Operators
- Opportunity for navigation platforms to partner with rail network operators to access real-time data and enhance safety features.
- Verification by Volunteer Map Editors
- Opportunity for navigation platforms to leverage the power of volunteer map editors to verify locations and improve accuracy of safety alerts.
Where This Applies
- Navigation Platforms
- Disruptive innovation opportunity for navigation platforms to differentiate themselves by integrating railroad safety alerts into their services.
- Rail Network Operators
- Disruptive innovation opportunity for rail network operators to collaborate with navigation platforms and enhance safety for drivers near railroad crossings.
- Volunteer Map Editing Community
- Disruptive innovation opportunity for volunteer map editing communities to contribute to the verification and accuracy of safety features in navigation platforms.
