Waze Rolls Out Traffic Light Recognition Feature To Close Navigation Gap With Google Maps

Navigation apps are getting smarter about how they handle your drive. Waze has started testing a new capability in Israel that shows drivers real-time traffic light information on their route—a feature that Google Maps users have been enjoying for a while now. Here’s what that means for your commute.

What’s Waze Testing Right Now?

When you’re actively navigating toward a destination using Waze, the app will display up to three upcoming traffic lights ahead on your selected route. If you’re just browsing the map without a specific endpoint, it shows all nearby traffic lights in the area. This layered approach prevents the interface from feeling too cluttered, especially when combined with Waze’s community-driven reporting features.

The testing phase is still early, and not all traffic lights in Israel have been mapped yet. So there’s no confirmed timeline for wider availability, and we don’t know exactly how the final version will work globally.

Why This Matters For Drivers

If this rolls out successfully, drivers could optimize their routes in ways Waze hasn’t offered before. Imagine being able to choose a path with fewer traffic light stops, or getting navigation hints that actually reference specific signals (“Turn left at the third light”). This could lead to more accurate arrival time predictions and smoother driving experiences overall.

The Waze vs Google Maps Race Heats Up

The two navigation giants keep leapfrogging each other with new features. Google Maps has the broader audience advantage—it works for cars, public transit, walking, everything. Waze stays laser-focused on driving, which is why its community-powered reports and driver-habit personalization resonate so strongly with its user base.

Recently, Google Maps added AI-powered features through Gemini integration and tools specifically for electric vehicle drivers. Waze, meanwhile, introduced offline navigation for areas with weak connectivity and continues refining its real-time traffic intelligence. Now with this traffic light feature, Waze is making another move to strengthen its position as the driver-first choice.

Where Things Stand

This traffic light capability is another reminder that navigation apps are evolving beyond simple turn-by-turn directions. Both platforms are competing hard to deliver the most useful, real-world driving intelligence. For drivers tired of surprise red lights and congestion, features like this could make a real difference.

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