Google launches traffic feature for local motorists

For Bloomington motorists in a rush, Google Maps’ new feature provides real-time traffic conditions and estimated travel times throughout the city. Google announced Tuesday the expansion of its “live traffic feature,”  which includes Bloomington and 129 other U.S. cities.

Bloomington is one of seven Indiana cities to receive the new feature, which was first unveiled in 2008, according to a press release from Google. The feature is also compatible with Android devices.

Along with the expansion in the United States, which targeted smaller cities, Google also expanded the feature to the capitals of Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama.

Coverage of the feature was expanded in parts of Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

— Mark Keierleber