Free Waze app uses crowdsourcing to help drivers avoid traffic

As our smartphones have become smarter, they have replaced a host of devices ranging from pencil and paper to the lowly wristwatch and the portable music player. Now with access to GPS information and reliable networks, they’ve nearly replaced our old navigation systems. A new app called Waze aims to deliver the finishing blow.

The Waze app works like a navigation system but relies on user-generated information. Like most systems, you can punch in an address and get turn-by-turn directions to your destination. What Waze does differently is to collect information automatically from other drivers on the road using the app, analyze it and inform drivers of upcoming traffic problems.

The info includes traffic density—of course—but also construction, alternative routes and even speed-trap notifications from other drivers using the app. The more people use it, the better it gets.

Forbes online tested Waze and found it to be easy, useful and impressive—especially at a price of zero dollars. It can be downloaded from the Apple Store or the Android Marketplace.

The app looks a bit cartoonish with Mario ghost-looking characters sporting happy and sad faces depending on their mood, but the interface is basically clean. It shows time and distance to destination, as well as upcoming interchanges and turns.

When you run into traffic, a red line begins to follow behind your car’s avatar to let other drivers know that the going is slow. If you’re really stopped, you can take a picture of the action or the incident and upload it to the server. At least that way the people behind you will know who to be mad at.

Waze says in its introduction video that all of its maps may not be complete. But drivers using it can add new roads or construction projects, and delete old roads, and it will be uploaded to the Waze network the next time you sync your phone. That way, the network of information keeps growing.

The reason this app stays free, according to Forbes, is advertising. In Manhattan, it shows places to rent Zipcars—although if you’re already in traffic we’re not sure how that helps. Mary Meeker from Waze told Forbes that the company is working on a deal with Apple that would have them contribute to the iPhones map system when its next operating system comes out.

We just downloaded the app today, so we haven’t tried it yet, but it gets good ratings in the App Store and stodgy Forbes seemed to approve. The report also says it uses a lot of power—which we can vouch for—so keep it plugged in when you can.