Did you know that you can include traffic lights on your Google Maps app in an Android phone? I can’t even remember the last time I used a real card. You know those huge folded paper maps that everyone bought before a road trip. You will need to stop at rest areas to find out where you were. Then you mark the map with the route you plan.
Whoever was in the passenger seat had to yell instructions at you and hope you got it before the next turn. Thank goodness it’s over!
Through massive improvements in Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, application developers have implemented GPSin map / navigation applications to help users navigate the roads. And so, the new era of map navigation began.
Google maps
Google Maps is currently the most advanced and popular mapping application in the world. Google Maps was released on February 8, 2005. Google Maps was started as a C ++ desktop program by a company named 2Technologies. Soon after, Google bought the business and turned it into a web app. And the legendary Google Maps was born.
Since then, Google Maps has improved considerably: it has rolled out support to various platforms and introduced many key features like the map marker. They even got the support of NASA to lend its satellite (Landsat-8) for precise mapping around the world.
You can now use Google Maps for almost any occasion. Plan vacation routes, find camping spots, find restaurants, locate gas stations, get to work. You can even use the street map camera feature to visit uninhabited islands!
Traffic lights
One of the most interesting recent additions to Google Maps’ already vast arsenal of features is the traffic light marker. Google Maps will show you the locations of traffic lights on your map, which is also integrated with the navigation system.
However, this feature is not yet fully deployed and ready for action. Google was testing this feature about 6 months ago and is starting to roll out traffic light locations. Slowly and steadily. As expected, the first areas supported by traffic lights are mostly in the United States, near Google headquarters. Particularly West Des Moines, Iowa. Traffic light icons also appear in Florida.
Traffic light markers are handy. It’s a must, you will notice it no matter what. Compared to turn markers, where you sometimes have to cran your neck to the side to notice it properly. It is also dangerous to look away from oncoming traffic in front of you.
To make your driving even safer, you can install a magnetic phone holder, so you don’t have to take your view off the road. A magnetic phone holder offers significant functionality and cleanliness compared to conventional phone holders. You can easily rotate, adjust and rotate it. The magnet is big and strong enough to hold your phone rigidly. You can also read this article to make full use of Google Maps voice commands.
How to see traffic lights on Google Maps
Google values this feature so much that it is adding it as a base layer on the map. It is true; you don’t have to do anything to see them. It is there by default. But it takes a bit of effort to spot it because the icon is quite small.
If you still can’t see the traffic lights, even after your visit West Des Moines and Florida, then you should check if your app is up to date or not. Go to the Google Play Store, navigate to the Google Maps page, then tap “Update.” Wait for the process to complete and you should see the traffic lights icon.
When you tap the icon, nothing is displayed. It’s just an icon to confirm that a traffic light actually exists there. You can use this information to avoid traffic lights, preferring to stay on small roads. This option is particularly useful when you are in a hurry.
Map Updates – From Apples to Apples
As an avid Google Maps user, I have to admit that Google is continually improving its Maps app. But even though Google Maps is the number one navigation app in the world, they still lose out to Apple Maps when it comes to traffic light navigation. Apple Maps already includes traffic lights in their navigation, much better than Google Maps.
Apple Maps integrates seamlessly with Siri. Siri will notice you if you’re approaching a traffic light (which is again a vital item on the map) and what comes after the traffic lights, left turn, right turn, or straight ahead.
Hopefully Google will fully integrate the traffic light markers with its voice navigation system, Google Assistant or even Siri and Alexa in future updates. This would really push Google’s app to the top of the navigation list on the map.
And, or of course, it helps that Apple’s “exclusivity” makes it difficult to connect useful apps like this with other programs and devices. Android has much better compatibility in general. In fact, if you like Google Maps, you can integrate it into your own app or website, be sure to read this article for instructions.
We really hope Google adds a live traffic light sync update so people can see how long the red or green light will last, as well as adjusting their ETA and alternate routes to accommodate. stops at traffic lights. After all, the main goal of Google Maps is to help drivers safely find the shortest or fastest possible distance to their location. Traffic lights can take a lot longer than you think.
Conclusion
The breakthrough in GPS technology has allowed Google Maps to completely replace conventional paper maps with their latest updates. The traffic light is the coolest new feature they’ve introduced. It allows you to see the locations of traffic lights on Google Maps.
Granted, the feature is still in development. Only a few areas like Iowa and Florida are dotted with traffic light icons, while the rest will have to wait. To see the traffic light icons in Google Maps for your area, make sure you have the most recent version of the Google Maps app.