Waze for Cities
Waze for Cities (formerly known as the Connected Citizens Program) is a revolutionary public-private partnership. It establishes a free, two-way data exchange between Waze and hundreds of global partners, including city governments and transportation authorities. The premise is simple: Waze gives cities anonymous, real-time data from millions of drivers, and cities give Waze official data on construction, accidents, and closures. The result is a smarter, more efficient grid for everyone.
Data-Driven Urban Planning
City planners no longer need to rely on expensive, once-a-year traffic studies. Waze provides a continuous stream of data showing where congestion happens and when. Cities use this to identify bottlenecks, retime traffic lights, and decide where to build new infrastructure. It turns every Waze driver into a sensor for the smart city.
Faster Incident Response
Waze users often report accidents faster than 911 calls are processed. Through Waze for Cities, this data is piped directly into Traffic Management Centers (TMCs). This allows emergency responders to be dispatched minutes earlier, potentially saving lives and clearing the road faster to restore flow.
Global Impact
The program is active in huge metropolises like Rio de Janeiro, Paris, Jakarta, and Boston. By sharing data, these cities are reducing carbon emissions (less idling in traffic) and improving the quality of life for millions of citizens. It is a prime example of how big data can serve the public good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waze for Cities free?
Yes, it is a completely free collaboration. No money changes hands; only data is exchanged.
How anonymous is the data?
Completely anonymous. Waze strips all user-identifiable information before sharing traffic snapshots with city partners, protecting driver privacy.