Introduction
This feature allows vehicle operators to view and hear turn-by-turn direction prompts on the MDT for active detour zones.
How: When a detour is created by your Operations team using your Detour Management tools, and the drive path is edited, the turn-by-turn directions are automatically generated based on a Google Maps interface for directions. These 'turn-by-turns' are based on the segment drawn on the Detour tool map. These directions are what the vehicle operator will receive, so they know what to do differently.
Advantages
- This feature comes with audible and visual prompts. The vehicle operator will hear spoken directions and see a map display that tracks the vehicle on the temporary trace to ensure adherence during the detour - right on the MDT!
- This feature includes tracking of vehicle mileage and time attributed to a detour, which is an important calculation for your agency for reporting needs.
Operations Workflow
It is imperative that the turn-by-turn directions are accurate when Operations creates the detour and redraws the vehicle path, as the directions are pulled from a Google Maps interface, as mentioned above.
Detour Trace Adherence
Vehicle Side: Operators must adhere to the turn-by-turn directions. The Map feature does not include rerouting, meaning if the vehicle deviates from the detour directions, the MDT will not assist in getting the vehicle back on track. In addition to that, tracking vehicle mileage is an important calculation for the agency for reporting needs.
Active Detour
Vehicle Operator Workflow - When a vehicle is logged into a route with an active detour, the INBOX will include turn-by-turn directions and a message icon appears for the driver on the Status Bar. The MDT also indicates affected stops with an exclamation point next to them.
Stops Affected by a detour display an ‘!’ next to them on the MDT trip information.
Detour Upcoming
The mapping feature is activated when the vehicle enters the last trigger box/stop location before the detour becomes active, to alert the driver the new drive path for the detour trace is next.
Then on departure from the stop, the mapping is enabled and displays on the MDT.
MDT DETOUR UPCOMING DISPLAY - The vehicle is approaching the detour trace, highlighted in blue.
What Else?
- The vehicle is tracked on its detour trace on the map.
- The arrow indicates the vehicle location on the map.
- The detour trace is highlighted in blue on the map, so we know the vehicle just left its last stop before the detour is active. The vehicle will continue forward and turn left at the next intersection onto University Drive.
- The software indicates the vehicle distance from its next turn and the driver can view this information too.
MDT DETOUR ACTIVE DISPLAY
Vehicle operators see their upcoming stops and depart times. Any scheduled stops that have been moved will display on the map, along with their name, so the driver knows where to pull over to drop off and pick up riders. Example - The White Building stop has been moved:
Other Features
HOME Button - The mapping feature prioritized the HOME screen when the vehicle is performing the active detour directions. If you press it, the mapping feature will display.
Detour Trace Ends - When you depart the trace for the detour, the MDT goes back to normal functions, meaning you’ll see the next 3 stops and depart times on the HOME screen in the original state.
Menus – You can still access the menus when the vehicle is not in Lock Out Mode, as a safety precaution. These include Canned Messages, Reviewing your INBOX for messages, adjusting counts.
Door Open - Press the FARES button, if used, to enter fares. Press APC Adjust, to update boards/alights, wheelchair counts.
When the vehicle is not in the cell data comms, the map will go off line and the system will try to reconnect. If comms is restored while in a detour the map will display again. The audible turn-by-turn directions are still provided in this scenario.
Navigation
Navigation - When the vehicle is not in LOCK OUT Mode, you can use these tools to view service information, pan the map in different directions, and zoom out or in for context during the active detour.
Press View to use the feature.
Service Information
1. Press the arrow next to the Route information to review service information
2. Service Information will display
3. Press the arrow next to the next stop to view turn-by-turn directions
4. Turn-by-turn directions will display
Video Demo