Waze Tests Traffic Light Feature in Israel

Waze, the popular crowdsourced navigation app, has begun testing a long-requested feature that displays traffic lights on its maps, starting with a limited rollout in Israel. The addition, which aims to enhance route awareness for drivers, is currently in an early experimental phase and includes restrictions to maintain a clear user interface.

The testing addresses years of user feedback calling for traffic light indicators, a capability that has been available on Google Maps, owned by the same parent company as Waze, since 2022. In May, Waze officials confirmed the feature was on their development list, marking this trial as an initial step toward broader implementation. Reports indicate the test is confined to a small group of users in Israel, with no announced timeline for expansion to other regions or countries.

During active navigation, the app limits displays to a maximum of three upcoming traffic lights along the route. This approach prioritizes essential information to prevent screen clutter, especially amid Waze's existing icons for real-time alerts like traffic jams, police presence, or road hazards. When navigation is not engaged and users are simply viewing the map,...