GPS Network Overwhelmed: Google Maps and Rivals Suffer from User Overload

The reliability of GPS-based routing apps has declined in recent times, affecting users worldwide. Google Maps and similar services have become less effective due to their widespread adoption and misuse.

With an estimated seven billion devices relying on GPS, the network is strained by the sheer volume of traffic data being sent through it. This includes not just navigation but also avoidance of urban traffic congestion.

The problem lies in the fact that these apps don't track user numbers or competitor routes, leading to inefficient routing and increased congestion. A 2019 study found that GPS-based services saved 52 billion gallons of fuel and a trillion miles through more efficient routing between 2007 and 2017.