The next update to Google Maps will include reports on accessibility issues at public transit stations to make planning your trip easier

Originally reported by CNET, Google Maps has released a new update that focuses on reporting to users issues that may hinder accessibility, such as elevator or escalator malfunctions So far, the update is available for iOS, Android, and desktop However, as of this writing, it is only available in New York, Paris, Seattle, Boston, Budapest, and Brisbane

Accessing the Accessibility Alert is relatively simple However, you must first make sure that wheelchair accessibility routes are turned on as a preference To do this, enter a destination in Google Maps and tap the three dots in the upper right corner A new submenu will then appear, where you will need to press Options and scroll down to Wheelchair Accessible

Once this is done, an alert will appear next to the route options This will make it much easier to plan a trip, as the user will know the exact disability status at the destination and if the user needs to plan around it Hopefully, this will make travel much less stressful for disabled people

Google Maps recently saw some major changes with a new redesign that eliminated the full-screen menu and replaced it with a sheet-based layout There are also changes to the navigation menu, with a reduction in the number buttons at the top of the screen In addition to the visual changes, screen reader support has been added, allowing users to scan their surroundings using their phone's camera

Google Maps is the most popular app for navigation available today and is used by millions of people to plan their trips The introduction of new features aimed at making travel as easy as possible for most people is to be applauded Hopefully, these features will soon be introduced in other countries So, if you are planning a summer vacation trip, here are 9 tips and 9 hidden features of Google Maps