Map Tools: Get Route

Feature Summary

The Get Route feature in GSatTrack is a powerful tool designed to enhance the platform's navigation and route planning capabilities. Get Route allows users to generate and analyze routes between specified points, providing essential information for efficient asset management and operational planning.

Overview

The Get Route feature in GSatTrack allows users to generate routes between multiple points on the map. This feature offers detailed route information, including distance, estimated travel time, and step-by-step directions. It is an essential tool for optimizing travel paths, managing logistics, and ensuring timely and efficient asset deployment.

Additional Information

How-To: Use Get Route

Go to Map Mode Indicator in the top right-hand corner of the portal and select “Get Route.”
In the Get Route menu, type in the addresses to and from or select two points on the map.
If you want more than two points, click on “+ Add Destination;” otherwise, skip this step.
Click on “Calculate Route.”
Interact with new map data.

Introduction to the Get Route Tool

The Get Route Tool allows users to bring the functionality of other mapping software to their asset ecosystem by creating travel paths between points or objects on the map. Get Route can be opened in several ways, but it always works the same way, no matter how initiated.

Get Route End Points

Get Route allows users to calculate routes between two endpoints, which can map coordinates and objects in the portal.

Locations

Locations can be endpoints in the Get Route tool, just as in other mapping and routing applications. Users can click the map to set the endpoint, input the coordinates in the Starting or Ending Location fields, or search for famous landmarks, cities, and locations. To calculate a route between two locations, open the Get Route Tool from the Map Tools in any map view.

Assets

Assets can also be endpoints in the Get Route tool and can be routed from their most recently reported position to any location or place on the map. To start with an asset as the Route From endpoint, open the Get Route Tool by clicking the Route Asset option in the Asset Options menu or by clicking the asset’s position in the Live Mode and using the Route From option in the Quick Actions menu. To start with an asset’s position as the Route To endpoint, open the asset’s position in the Live Mode and select the Route To option from the Quick Actions menu.

Places

Places can also be endpoints in the Get Route tool, working similarly to assets. Users can route any asset to any place by opening the place in the details panel and clicking the Route Asset button. Alternatively, users can open the summary panel of any place on the map view and choose the Route To or Route From options in the Quick Actions menu.

Get Route Tool Fields

When opened from the Map Tools, the Get Route Tool displays two fields for users to input two locations from which it will calculate the route. The first field is for the starting point (search, enter coordinates, or click the map), and the second is for the ending destination (search, enter coordinates, or click the map).

When opened from an asset or a place, the fields differ slightly, allowing the user to select from a list of places and assets in the portal.

Route Asset to Place

This option can be opened by clicking Route Asset in the Place Options tab in the details panel of the Places Module or from the Asset Options tab in the details panel of the Assets Module. Users first select a place from a drop-down list (the open place will be the default option) and then select the asset they wish to route to that place.

Via

There are two options for route generation:

Roads - Calculates the route between two points using roads between them.
Direct - Draws the shortest route between the two points and is intended for air and sea applications.

Viewing Routes

Route options will appear in the Details Panel, with the names of the major roadways as the header. Users can scroll through the printed directions and view the route as a single red line on the map. Users typically have multiple options and can toggle between them by clicking the header to expand the directions and populate the route line on the map.

Interacting with Routes

Once created, users have several options for additional functionality:

Custom Routes: Users can click and drag the red line to change the route to suit their specific needs. Dragging the route will make it appear like a new point has been added, and each route segment can be dragged individually for further customization.
Geofence from Route: After creating a route, users can draw a geofence around it and save it to the portal by clicking the Add Geofence button below the route directions. Unlike drawing a normal geofence, the Geofence from Route feature automatically generates a geofence that stretches between 25 and 2000 meters from the route line from start to finish. Users can specify the route buffer distance using a slider bar.
Multiple Destinations: The portal allows users to add multiple destinations to each route, similar to tools like Google Maps. Users can click the Add Destination button for each additional stop, and the portal will calculate the best route between each endpoint.

Key Features

Versatile Endpoints: Users can set route endpoints using locations, assets, or places. This flexibility allows for comprehensive route planning tailored to specific operational requirements.
User-Friendly Interface: The Get Route Tool is easily accessible from the Map Tools section and offers straightforward fields for inputting starting and ending points. Users can search, enter coordinates, or click directly on the map to set their endpoints.
Multiple Routing Options: Users can choose between calculating routes based on road networks or generating direct paths for air or sea applications, providing adaptable routing solutions.
Custom Routes: After generating a route, users can interact with it by dragging the route line to customize it further. This feature allows for the modification of specific segments to better suit logistical needs.
Geofence Creation: The Get Route Tool's unique capability is drawing geofences around routes. Users can specify a buffer distance, creating alerts when assets deviate from their intended paths.
Support for Multiple Destinations: The tool allows users to add multiple stops along a route, similar to popular mapping applications. This feature is handy for deliveries or service routes that require several checkpoints.

Use Cases

Organizations can significantly enhance their asset tracking and management capabilities by incorporating the Get Route feature into their operations. This tool improves navigation and efficiency and supports proactive decision-making and operational oversight.

Logistics and Delivery: Companies managing fleets can use the Get Route Tool to plan optimal travel paths between multiple delivery points, ensuring efficient and timely arrivals.
Field Service Management: Organizations with field service technicians can generate routes that include multiple job sites, enhancing productivity and reducing travel time.
Asset Tracking and Monitoring: Asset managers can calculate routes for vehicles moving from one location to another, ensuring that they remain on their designated paths and comply with geofence alerts.
Event Coordination: For events that require transporting goods or personnel to multiple locations, the Get Route Tool can facilitate planning and execution by providing clear travel paths.
Emergency Response Planning: Emergency services can utilize the routing capabilities to quickly determine the best paths to respond to incidents, considering real-time traffic conditions and road accessibility.