Map Tools: Get Route

Feature Summary

The Get Route feature in GSatTrack generates routes between multiple points on the map, returning distance, estimated travel time, and step-by-step directions. It is used to plan travel paths, manage logistics, and route assets efficiently.

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 — Set route endpoints using locations, assets, or places.
Multiple Routing Options — Calculate routes along road networks, or generate direct paths for air or sea applications.
Custom Routes — Drag the route line to modify individual segments after a route is generated.
Geofence Creation — Draw a geofence around a route with a configurable buffer distance to alert when assets deviate.
Multiple Destinations — Add multiple stops along a single route, similar to popular mapping applications.

Use Cases

Logistics and Delivery — Plan optimal travel paths between multiple delivery points for timely arrivals.
Field Service Management — Generate routes covering multiple job sites to reduce technician travel time.
Asset Tracking and Monitoring — Route vehicles between locations and confirm they stay on designated paths with geofence alerts.
Emergency Response Planning — Determine the best paths to respond to incidents based on road accessibility.