Real-time traffic info to be provided through NDOT partnership with Waze

Courtesy Nevada Department of Transportation


More real-time traffic information will be available to Nevada drivers as the Nevada Department of Transportation announces a data-sharing partnership with Waze, the free, real-time crowdsourced traffic and navigation app.

Through the Waze Connected Citizens Program, a free, two-way data exchange, NDOT state road construction, incident and closure data will become available to drivers on the Waze driver information app. Likewise, Waze will provide NDOT with real-time, anonymous traffic incident and slow-down information reported by Waze users to display on the Department’s Nevada 511 Travel Info system.

“This is about giving Nevada drivers more information to stay safe and connected on the road,” NDOT Director Rudy Malfabon said. “Whether real-time updates on Nevada traffic incidents, construction or other road conditions, drivers can be prepared with more information about the drive ahead before they even leave. It also adds to the eyes we already have on the road, allowing NDOT and our partners to even more quickly respond to incidents or roadside concerns as soon as they are reported by Waze users.”

The data sharing comes at no additional cost to the Nevada Department of Transportation. Waze does not share driver-identifiable information other than what is already made public via the app and live map.

“Through the Waze Connected Citizens Program, NDOT will contribute critical data to the Waze app which is key for hyperlocal citizen support,” said Adam Fried, New Business Development Manager at Waze. “NDOT will gain access to even more creative solutions and support through our network of more than 250 innovative, collaborative global partners. The immense data and insights NDOT can provide to Waze and to the Connected Citizens Program community makes them a valued partner moving forward.”

NDOT reminds motorists to never drive distracted. Waze and NDOT encourage drivers to use the app as it is intended, by docking the phone and leveraging hands-free functionality during their entire route for an undistracted drive.  All navigation, even reporting a crash, can be done through voice command, supporting Nevada law prohibiting use of a handheld device while driving. Waze also allows drivers to send their destination and estimated time of arrival to contacts before driving, reducing distracting travel-related messaging.

Beginning in the coming months, Waze traffic updates will be utilized at NDOT road operations centers for traffic safety and dispatch and will eventually be publicly available on the Department’s 511 Nevada Travel Info System by dialing 511 or visiting nvroads.com before driving.

To find out more about Connected Citizens visit http://waze.com/ccp. To download the free Waze app for iOS or Android, visit http://www.waze.com/get.