Many times while driving, I see a complete standstill going in the opposite direction. Even though I am not stuck in the traffic, it would be nice to be able to warn fellow Wazers about the jam.
Although others may disagree, the automated jam functionality is much more valuable for traffic than the manual traffic reports. The jam data is used in the ETA calculations, setting the fastest route when navigating, as well as to re-route around building traffic.
The jam functionality is generated when Wazers are driving. So a Wazer would need to drive through the slow traffic on the opposite direction to create or update the jam speed.
Personally, I don’t pay much attention to the manual, user initiated traffic reports. There is not enough data to understand the severity of the traffic, the delay, etc. And the data becomes stale very quickly.
Manual reports are GREAT for police and accidents though!
I concur 100% that the automated jam function is superior to manual reports, however, I think a manual report is better than no report! Also, I drive through a highly congested area in NYC that, more often than not, I avoid because of traffic. The problem I have with the automated traffic reporting is that it is often delayed a little, and it is usually too far ahead on the map for me to see and avoid. Once I commit to the Crossbronx Expressway, I am stuck, and usually, Wazer’s put in traffic jams on the map ahead of the automated report, allowing me to see the traffic BEFORE I get on the Expressway. If I don’t see a manual report, I usually scroll ahead on the map to see ahead, but as we all know, it is best not to actively use our devices while driving. I like and rely on both features.
Well in theory you shouldn’t have to be scrolling ahead looking for jams. You should be able to trust the Waze routing which takes these into account automatically.
But yea, I know this is not always great in areas with maps that have not been updated or areas with few Wazers. This is improving, so should get better.