Google Traffic or Google Traffic Data is a feature of Google Maps that displays traffic conditions in real time on major roads and highways, similar to Waze.
Overview
Google acquired ZipDash in 2004 and by 2007 integrated their technology for tracking anonymous cell phone movement to determine traffic speeds on major roads and highways. This is considered a form of crowd-sourcing. This information is overlayed onto the Google Maps in the form for color bands adjacent to the major roads using green, yellow, red, and dark red, to indicate relative speed of the traffic. This information can be searched through the Google website with phrases like: "traffic near San Francisco, CA."
The difference with Waze is that Google Traffic does not cover all roads, only major roads. Waze covers every road that had a user with the Waze app running as they drive.