New Google Maps Traffic Features Rolled Out (PICTURES)

Within a week, Google rolled out two updates to Google Maps that should make efficient traveling a little bit easier.

The service now shows estimated travel times based on real-time traffic data (in addition to historic traffic data) and features typical traffic patterns for both highways and major roads in world cities like London, New York, San Francisco and others.

On April 2, Google made a feature available that can show typical traffic patterns for major roads in addition to highways. All users have to do after entering their journey's start and end points is enable the traffic layer in the upper right hand corner of the map and click change to view traffic patterns either in real time or at a specific date and time.

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According to The Next Web, the service had always provided typical traffic patterns for highways but is just now being updated to show the information for major roads, too.

The site also mentioned that these updated features are made possible by "various bits of data, including some gathered from the My Location feature on Google Maps for Android as a part of its crowd-sourced data gathering efforts," which Google began back in 2009.

Previously, on March 29, Google announced in a blog post that users will be able to view an estimate of how long a trip may take, based on both live and historic traffic data. Wrote Google Maps software engineer Szabolcs Payrits:

In areas where the information is available, this new and improved feature evaluates current traffic conditions and is constantly being refreshed to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date estimate possible.

According to PCMag.com, the company used to show similar trip time estimates up until last summer, but a Google spokesperson told the site that the information had been based solely on historic traffic data -- rather than on both historic and real-time traffic data -- and so was eventually removed.

As shown in the photo below, the estimated travel time based on real-time traffic conditions is shown right below the estimated time based on historic traffic data. Switching travel mode from car to train will allow users to easily find out which vehicle will get them to their destination more quickly.

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Do you think these latest Google Maps updates will be helpful? Let us know in the comments!

Also on HuffPost:

Check out some of the craziest things users have spotted while using Google's satellite mapping services.

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• 'Atlantis' Underwater City, Atlantic Ocean

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Jenius"></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Jenius">Jenius</a>:<br />

• Italy's Big Pink Bunny

  View it at <a href="http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=k&om=1&ll=44.244273,7.769737&spn=0.002206,0.004227" target="_hplink">Google Maps</a>. (Via <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/134186/in_pictures_the_strangest_sights_in_google_earth.html" target="_hplink">PCWorld</a>)

• Mystery Figure

  Via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wr0qiivJZgI&feature=player_embedded" target="_hplink">YouTube</a>.

• Blue Tree, Australia

  View it at <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=2005&c=&t=k&hl=en&ll=-34.073198,150.75777&z=19" target="_hplink">Google Sightseeing</a>.

• Bottomless Pit, Libya

  Via <a href="http://www.techeblog.com/elephant/photo.phtml?post_key=160547&photo_key=35314" target="_hplink">TechEBlog</a>.

• Iraq's Mysterious Red Lake

  View it at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33+23%2746.08%22+N+44+29%2717.03%22E&sll=33.550551,-44.483643&sspn=4.046476,9.799805&ie=UTF8&ll=33.396999,44.488063&spn=0.007918,0.01914&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr" target="_hplink">Google Maps</a>. (Via <a href="http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1881770_1881787_1881782,00.html" target="_hplink"><i>TIME</i></a>)

• Comet

  Via <a href="http://www.techeblog.com/elephant/photo.phtml?post_key=160547&photo_key=35336" target="_hplink">TechEBlog</a>.

• 'UFO'

  Via <a href="http://www.techeblog.com/elephant/photo.phtml?post_key=160547&photo_key=35315" target="_hplink">TechEBlog</a>.

• 'The Badlands Guardian,' Alberta, Canada

  View it at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=50+00%2737.76%22+N+110+07%2700.86%22W&sll=33.225406,-111.595216&sspn=0.003967,0.00957&ie=UTF8&ll=50.010952,-110.11513&spn=0.006095,0.01914&t=h&z=16" target="_hplink">Google Maps</a>. (Via <a href="http://www.canada.com/globaltv/edmonton/story.html?id=977b4fcb-81ad-4c44-bbfa-baaa800c6dc5&k=30095." target="_hplink">canada.com</a>)

• The Firefox, Oregon

  View it at <a href="http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&om=1&z=16&ll=45.123785,-123.113962&spn=0.012112,0.024097&t=h" target="_hplink">Google Maps</a>.

• KFC Mapversiting, Nevada

  Read more about this advertising strategy <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,229308,00.html" target="_hplink">here</a>. View the real thing at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.646,-115.7507&spn=0.01,0.01&t=p&q=37.646,-115.7507" target="_hplink">Google Maps</a>.

• Capsized Boat, Iraq

  View it at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=30.541634,47.825445&z=16&hl=en&t=h" target="_hplink">Google Maps</a>.

• Triple Rainbow, South Carolina

  Via <a href="http://www.rodsbot.com/google-earth-3665.htm" target="_hplink">RodsBot.com</a>.

• Desert 'Crop Circle,' Nevada

  View it at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.401437,-116.86773&z=15&hl=en&t=h" target="_hplink">Google Maps</a>. (Via <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/134186/in_pictures_the_strangest_sights_in_google_earth.html" target="_hplink">PCWorld</a>)

• 'Eat Pecans,' New Mexico

  View it at <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=585&c=&ll=32.241354,-106.707501&spn=0.006405,0.009673&t=k&z=0&hl=en" target="_hplink">Google Sightseeing</a>.

• Crop Circle

  Via <a href="http://www.techeblog.com/elephant/photo.phtml?post_key=160547&photo_key=35292" target="_hplink">TechEBlog</a>.

• Truck Accident, North Dakota

  Via <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com/2007/03/truck-crash/" target="_hplink">Google Sightseeing</a>.

• Expletive

  Via <em><a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/02/10/giant-profanity/" target="_hplink">The Register</a></em>.

• Concentric Shapes

  Via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wr0qiivJZgI&feature=player_embedded" target="_hplink">YouTube</a>.

• Pac Man

  Via <a href="http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2006/11/crop_circles_in_goog.html" target="_hplink">Google Earth Blog</a>.

• Jesus Loves You, Idaho

  View it at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=43%C2%B038%2743.00%22N+115%C2%B059%2733.50%22W&ie=UTF8&z=18&ll=43.645268,-115.992622&spn=0.002756,0.007178&t=k&om=1" target="_hplink">Google Maps</a>. (Via <a href="http://www.dvhardware.net/article14647.html" target="_hplink">DarkVision Hardware</a>)

• World Peace, Ontario, Canada

  View it at <a href="http://www.rodsbot.com/google-earth-3660.htm" target="_hplink">RodsBot.com</a>.

• Dino Maze, England

  View it at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&t=k&ll=52.55885,-1.057756&z=17" target="_hplink">Google Maps</a>.

• Swastika Building

  View it at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Coronado+CA&t=k&ll=32.676138,-117.157763&spn=0.001508,0.002596&om=1" target="_hplink">Google Maps</a>.

• Greenland Oddity

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/tobiasaurusrex"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://i.huffpost.com/profiles/641629-tiny.png?20100701194750" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/tobiasaurusrex">tobiasaurusrex</a>:<br />At 70* North, 40* West in Greenland, there is a massive, marbled prism sumberged in the snow, and a censored block as well.

• Freeway love for Gina

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/tarzan1234"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/tarzan1234">tarzan1234</a>:<br />Sighted on freeway 520 in Seattle, Washington

• Strange Patterns Over Myton, Utah

  via Patrick B.

• Kenya Multiple Swastika Buildings

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/kipper84"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/kipper84">kipper84</a>:<br />This is in Nairobi Kenya close to Kenyatta Hospital

• Abandoned Ships from the Aral Sea

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Quwhellyicquid"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://i.huffpost.com/profiles/1015319-2-tiny.png?20100715131311" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Quwhellyicquid">Quwhellyicquid</a>:<br />Ships now are on dry land since the Aral Sea has dried up

• Area 52 - Nelis Air Force Base

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/the_odyssey"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://i.huffpost.com/profiles/1179470-tiny.png?20100823235041" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/the_odyssey">the odyssey</a>:<br />Greek columns on a building in Nevada: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=37.678399,-116.670154&spn=0.002654,0.005584&t=h&z=18

• Area 52 Pyramid?

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/the_odyssey"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://i.huffpost.com/profiles/1179470-tiny.png?20100823235041" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/the_odyssey">the odyssey</a>:<br />Pyramid looking thing and censored area in the Nellis Air Force Base / Area 52: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=37.835547,-116.727076&spn=0.021183,0.044675&t=h&z=15

• Subdivision in Canadian Wilderness

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Paul_Nodwell"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/624261743/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Paul_Nodwell">Paul Nodwell</a>:<br />Must be a google earth glitch Lat 45.63d x long -78.333

• Lake Huron Sunken Ship

  via <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=43.005428,-82.408721&spn=0.002758,0.004801&t=h&z=18" target="_hplink">Google Maps</a>

• 'Missing' Planes

  Via <a href="http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=k&om=1&ll=40.219488,-76.854939&spn=0.001016,0.001722&z=19">Google Maps</a>

• Giant Human Shadow Close to Area 51

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/zman977"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/zman977">zman977</a>:<br />A giant human like shadow close to Area 51 with other weird things by it. The shadow measures out to be about 90 feet.

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Comments

[TwoZeroOZ]

04:36 PM on 04/03/2012

And to think, some people had a problem with Google collecting benign data. Just look at what it produces.

[knotar17]

09:53 AM on 04/03/2012

finally!!!!

[LiveForever]

09:10 AM on 04/03/2012

The Iraq red lake is obviously Jello.

[Amalek]

02:07 AM on 04/03/2012

Pretty soon you won't have to go anywhere.  Just tell Google to go and tell you what it was like.

[BraveYusuf]

01:15 AM on 04/03/2012

Whats with the swastika buildings in Coronado, CA and Nairobi, Kenya?

[anchises868]

02:28 AM on 04/03/2012

Swastika does not automatically equal Nazi. It has always been, and for many people remains to be, a symbol of well-being, luck, and protection.

[Peter8328]

04:36 AM on 04/03/2012

Wkipedia:
The swastika (Sanskrit: स्वस्तिक) is an equilateral cross with its arms bent at right angles, in either right-facing (卐) form or its mirrored left-facing (卍) form. Earliest archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient India as well as Classical Antiquity. Swastikas have also been used in other various ancient civilizations around the world. It remains widely used in Indian religions, specifically in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, primarily as a tantric symbol to evoke 'shakti' or the sacred symbol of auspiciousness. The swastika is also a Chinese character used in East Asia representing eternity and Buddhism.

Thus, you are correct - it's not all about Nazis

[Hoz Hoven]

05:28 AM on 04/03/2012

The map says "National University"

[JBS]

11:24 PM on 04/02/2012

They don't give enough information on locations to allow you to check them out for yourself.

[Brenda Starr]

12:26 AM on 04/03/2012

Or they give TOO much info -- check above.

[Brenda Starr]

12:33 AM on 04/03/2012

My story I referred to got deleted by the moderators. Mods, what's so wrong about saying Google is telling people a private parking lot is a trail head parking lot and creating a problem at our horse barn????

[Doug MacKenzie]

11:02 PM on 04/02/2012

#7 is NOT a comet. Sheesh.

[SueZbell]

10:37 PM on 04/02/2012

Was the "UFO" slide 8 ever identified? Sorta looks like a roofing nail head.

[JBS]

11:10 PM on 04/02/2012

It's a water tower.

[SueZbell]

01:26 AM on 04/03/2012

thank you

[cognitogrrl]

08:54 PM on 04/02/2012

I just came in here to say Google Maps SU X !!!

Last time I used their driving instructions, I got SO lost. Their map shows a street going straight thru that does not, but ends and starts up again on the other side of a subdivision. NEVER again!!!

[cobrakai2002]

09:36 PM on 04/02/2012

Well you ARE a girl... Just sayin...

[Brenda Starr]

12:27 AM on 04/03/2012

At least she asked for directions, dude. Just sayin'.

[Dogma]

01:40 AM on 04/03/2012

I'm sure everyone at Google will miss you terribly. But, if that's how it's got to be...

[MiMi LLawsonn]

08:42 PM on 04/02/2012

Google.....can make a difference in people's lives......http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-736024
Read the link and then watch the trial....IT WILL SHOCK YOU HOW AN ILLUSONAL GOOGLE SEARCH CHANGED ONE MAN'S LIFE FOREVER....even thought it was NOT PROVED IN COURT of him doing it.....