Google Maps Gains Real-Time 'Crowdedness' Transit Data, Live Food Delivery Status, and More

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Google Maps gained three new features today to help users stay safe amid the coronavirus pandemic, including an expansion of its live transit "crowdedness" status information.

google maps crowdedness
Crowdedness data shows the real-time state of transit lines when users look up directions. The information is crowdsourced and relies on in-app feedback from users. Before today, Google Maps only showed the data for stations, but that has now been expanded to buses, trains, and subways.

Avoiding holiday crowds might have always been your thing, but this year, we’re making it especially easy for everyone. If you need to take transit, Google Maps can help you more easily social distance with live crowdedness information. On Android and iOS globally, you’ll start seeing how crowded your bus, train, or subway line is right now based on real-time feedback from Google Maps users around the world (wherever data is available).

In September, Google Maps rolled out a COVID-19 overlay that can show how cases are trending in areas so users can make informed decisions about traveling. The overlay showed the seven-day average of cases per 100,000 people and whether cases are rising and falling. From today, the overlay also shows the all-time number of confirmed cases and deaths, with links to local resources.

Finally, Google now shows the live status of takeout and delivery in the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Brazil and India when users book or order from Google Maps. As well as seeing expected wait times and delivery fees, users can reorder favorites right from within the app.

Google Maps can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Tag: Google Maps

Top Rated Comments

mw360 Avatar
mw360
8 months ago

Read the title and thought, “Yuck! Who is ordering live food?”
Isn't that exactly why we're all in this mess?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
deeddawg Avatar
deeddawg
8 months ago
'tis the season...

Google sees you when you're sleeping
Google knows when you're awake
Google knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for Google's sake!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mazz0 Avatar
mazz0
8 months ago

The information is crowdsourced and relies on in-app feedback from users
Huh, you'd think it could be done automatically (for opted-in users) based on regular pinging of other phones in bluetooth range. There must be enough Android phones in circulation to make that a pretty good guide to how busy your immediate area is.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarlJ Avatar
CarlJ
8 months ago
Read the title and thought, “Yuck! Who is ordering live food?”
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cybbe Avatar
Cybbe
8 months ago

Is this what you see as an American logged into google maps looking at London? 'The' Regents Park..?
Interesting. I see that same, and I live within walking distance of it. Then I checked the Royal Parks website, and it seems like both "The Regent's Park" and "The Green Park" are actually official names. It makes some sense grammatically, but I've never heard either described with "The".

https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks

Apple Maps has "The Regent's Park" as well.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hawros Avatar
hawros
8 months ago
Is this what you see as an American logged into google maps looking at London? 'The' Regents Park..?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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