The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has finalised a free data-sharing partnership with the community based traffic and navigation app provider Waze.

Waze users (Wazers) share data with the aim to provide enhanced traffic and road information to people.

Under the partnership, Waze will provide free and driver-powered traffic and incident report data to Caltrans.

"Combining the real-time anonymous data from Waze, sourced from drivers themselves, with Caltrans’ vast network of traffic management systems is a win-win for California drivers."

The information collected from Wazers will help generate real-time travel data on California’s roadways provided through the Californian department’s QuickMap website.

As per the terms of the deal, Caltrans will provide information on the state’s road conditions, construction and road closures to Waze, which in turn will be delivered to Wazers through the app.

The deal will help both Caltrans and Waze to have a better knowledge of road conditions, thereby assisting drivers to plan their journeys.

Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty said: "Combining the real-time anonymous data from Waze, sourced from drivers themselves, with Caltrans’ vast network of traffic management systems is a win-win for California drivers."

The new partnership is part of Waze’s Connected Citizens Programme that helps connect drivers.

The partnership with Caltrans will enable Waze to connect Californian drivers and agencies through these exchanges of road information.

Waze Connected Citizens Programme manager Paige Fitzgerald said: "Waze is only as strong as the information it receives from its users.

"The Connected Citizens Programme is a natural evolution for Waze as we already enable and empower drivers and are now bringing entire cities that same level of connectivity.

"The immense data Caltrans can contribute to the Waze app makes them a valued partner moving forward."

The Californian cities of Los Angeles and San Jose are already members of Waze’s Connected Citizens Programme.