Route Navigation - Routes Card

Overview

After importing a schedule into Avail's ETMS, planners, or those who manage schedule data and imports, will use the Routes Card to define each route's attributes. This includes creating all stop to stop segments, or paths, that connect to make up the entire route for each direction. Use this area to also create route adherence directions for in-vehicle use on the MDT (mobile data terminal). 

GTFS data are distributed to public-facing platforms, such as myStop after publishing. When each route trace is completed accurately, use the Validation & Build tools to schedule for vehicles use on the road, in real time, and for myStop trip planning needs for ridership. 

Routes Card Opened:

When fully defined, route trace files become available for use in several crucial areas:

1. Vehicles receive the files and use them to report data to the backend (against the digital schedule)
2. Ridership is aware of vehicle location in real-time when vehicles are actively on route for trip planning needs
3. Data capture for scheduled service will be used for required agency to report on revenue service offerings  (NTD, and other entities, stake holders, etc.)

Review other specifications for route attributes here: Managing Route Attributes on the Routes Card

Google Map Interface

We use Google map data as our primary integration for creating missing trace paths. The Auto-Draw and Snap to Roads modes both rely 100% on this shared data. When you create the paths, Google is determining the locations available for use. When you initially open the edit tools, the software will default to using Google data and is in 'Auto-Draw' mode.

IMPORTANT: Secondary tools allow paths to be created without using Google mapping data. Examples when this feature becomes impactful for you are for cases where roads exist but ARE NOT INCLUDED in Google mapping data. The Free Draw and Manual modes allow you to select unknown roads for scheduled revenue time and the shape files will populate for real-time trip planning tools for ridership. 

Auto-Draw

Avail's ETMS GIS (geographical information systems) tools use a Google maps interface, meaning you will use known roads in auto-draw mode, and the software will automatically use public roads included on Google maps as you build out each segment. Turn-by-turn directions will solely be based on the trace you create for the route and are populated by Google turn-by-turns. The auto-draw tool is active by default, meaning when you initially begin drawing stop-to-stop distances (designating roads for vehicle use during revenue service) for a first direction, you're using Google mapping data and the software relies 100% on mapping data.

Navigation & Action Columns

New columns on the Routes Card include Navigation and Actions. The Navigation column simply alerts you when route trace files have been created, or are not fully defined yet. Undefined routes must be reviewed and the trace files must be created and saved. Undefined, or missing, routes data cannot be used for revenue reporting or turn-by-turn directions for vehicle operators. The Actions column is used to define the stop-to-stop paths (for all missing segments for each route) for schedule adherence. When defined, these are the roads vehicle will adhere to for route adherence, OTP updates, and for ridership awareness.

Actions Column

Use this area to define all stop-to-stop paths which make up the complete route and to create all turn-by-turn directions. Fully defined routes are used to create turn-by-turn directions in fixed route vehicles. It is crucial to create all paths and all in-vehicle directions for stop pairs accurately, or data capture against the digital schedule will be skewed at the vehicle level, thereby also affecting real-time information and agency reporting metrics.  

Visible to Public Column

Use the Visible to Public column to determine if route traces have been completed in full. If VISIBLE is highlighted in green, the route trace has been completed. This alert only displays when all stop to stop distances have been defined and are fully connected.

Incomplete Column

Incomplete indicates the full route's trace has not been defined. This button alerts you that definitions are missing.

Actions Column

The Route Navigation link provides quick access to review the specifications for each segment (stop to stop distance) for a singular route. Use it to review details and to define missing paths/segments.

Let's open the H Route - Press the Route Navigation blue hyperlink to open the mapping tools and define the missing paths. 

Default screen displays with enabled edit mode to address and complete all trace files:

Route Details Action Menu

1. Route Details illustrates all directions scheduled for the route
   • Use the menu to adjust direction
2. Direction Status
   • Illustrates total number of paths (stop-to-stop distances) for the route
     • Completed paths
     • Incomplete paths
3. All paths for selected direction display below Quick Buttons
4. Mapping interface displays to use to define all missing paths
   • Map illustrates scheduled stop locations for the selected route

Quick Buttons

Use the UNROUTED quick button to review and complete each incomplete route path for a single direction. You can also review any paths that have been defined, as a final audit/ pro tip. 

Press the UNROUTED button to display one stop-to-stop distance that hasn't been defined.  Its segment displays on the map for editing. The tool defaults to 'Auto- mode', and will use Google map data:

Follow this process for all undefined route segments. The example below illustrates using the Snap to Roads tool. Drag the path to its new location, if changes are needed. As you drag the path, it snaps to known roads, as the tool relies 100% on Google's existing map data: 

Manual Draw

Press this button to use the:

1. Snap to Roads tool (100% reliance on Google map data) 
   • Route adherence turn by turn directions all derived from Google data
2. Free Draw tool (NO reliance on Google map data)
   • Route adherence turn by turn directions all derived from your manual inputs
     • Free Draw tools have no built- in validations to confirm accuracy in creating directions. Review them very carefully. 

Route Adherence Directions

After a path for a set of stop pairs is completed, review the in-vehicle turn-by-turn directions next. Carefully review these for accuracy, ensuring each vehicles' turn point is accurate ( left vs right, etc.)

Snap to Roads

Snap to Roads relies 100% on Google map data, as mentioned above. When using this tool, as you drag each path section, the tool will ONLY USE KNOWN ROADS to build out the paths.

Each turn point for the vehicle requires a set of directions to ensure vehicle operators receive correct information for route adherence. each turn is indicated with a number badge. All true angle maneuvers required for a vehicle on route display a number badge at the turn point, both on the map and in the 'Action Menu' on the left.

Use the blue scroll bar to move up/ down through the directions table. After a thorough review for accuracy, press CONFIRM PATH, and continue to the next undefined path.

You can use more than one tool to accomplish generating a usable detour when you want to use public and non-public roadways. Below, we see a detour using a public road/ main artery and a bus alley not included on Google maps data:

The Free Draw tool is like "going rogue". There are no mapping tool dependencies. Review of the directions is essential for accuracy in use on the road. The tool will not provide validations for what you enter manually for vehicle turn by turn directions.

Free Draw Feature

You also have the option to use roads unknown to Google maps. For example, bus alleys, busways, even parking lots can be designated for use during revenue service when using the Free Draw tool. This tool crucially requires accuracy, too, as directions will be based on the paths created for the route on the Routes Card. When using Free Draw, there are NO DEPENDENCIES on Google mapping tools.

Free Draw Route Adherence Directions

When you use the Manual Free Draw mode, the directions must be created by you, as the software will not provide any directions, and the software will NOT notify you if what you enter is incorrect. Why? No relationship between Google mapping tools in Free Draw.

For each required turn by the vehicle, directions must be created and reviewed. The map illustrates all turn points (think about geometry here - angles, or vehicle turn points, will always require directions in the software. 

Video Short- Creating Route Adherence Directions:

Why would I use Free Draw? 

Create Route Adherence Directions 

1. Each vehicle turn point is indicated on the map trace created and will display yellow number badges that correlate with the directions menu on the left of the screen
   • The number badges alert you that turn by turn directions are needed 
2. Create turn by turn directions on the left using the maneuver menus
   • Examples: Turn right, turn left, go straight, sharp left, etc.
   • Confirm accuracy- Ask: "Is that a right turn or left right there?"
   • Repeat creating directions for all turns
3. Then press CONFIRM PATH when all directions have been completed and reviewed

Fully defined paths display on the map after defining all paths. Each trace includes a beginning and ending stop. Stops not included in the trace may display on the map. This visual reference assists with stop pair relationships:

Build & Deploy Tab

After all routes have been defined for all directions the route services, all route adherence turn by turn directions have been created and verified as accurate, and all data has been saved; proceed to the Build & Deploy area to complete the validation process and building the run files to make them available for use by your fixed route fleet vehicles.

Launch the Dispatch Card in Operations, navigate to and open the Build & Deploy area. Why- you will use the Validate button to let the software run validations against the data you created on the Routes card. Software will detect any missing paths for all routes intended to go live (the data imported into ETMS via the Import card that you intend to make visible to ridership, vehicle operators). 

Then navigate to Build & Deploy:

Validation Process

1. Open Build & Deploy
2. Open the Validate tab 
   • Confirm the Schedule Type is defaulted to Future
3. Press the Validate button- software validates the data and identifies any issues
4. If issues present, they display at the route level for reference. If no issues present, continue to the Build tab
5. Issues noted? Expand the row to review stop to stop pairs that have not been defined/ connected for each route
   • Return to Routes Card and complete all missing paths
   • Repeat Validation and Build steps to deploy files when corrected

Build Run Files

When all trace files have been validated as accurate, proceed to the Build area to build out the run files that will download to fleet vehicles:

1. Open the Build tab
2. Confirm that Future Schedule is selected
3. Confirm Schedule Data, Route Adherence Files, and General Transit Files are all selected by default

1. Press the Build button- software runs validations to confirm accuracy and will identify any issues
2. Review Route File Status to confirm build as successful (# of # files processed successfully. 0 blocks with errors) 
   • All issues must be corrected if noted
3. Scroll down on the screen to review details for any noted issues.
4. If noted, errors must be corrected on the Routes card. 
5. Then return and repeat Validation & Build processes.

Monitor Service

Your Avail ITS tools provide several ways to analyze data collection to determine any additional needs.

1. Monitor for accuracy on the road in real time
   1. Dispatch Operations- Inform your Operations team so they can confirm vehicles are using scheduled roads and not 'off route' on Live Map/ Dispatch Map 
   2. Monitor Business Intelligence reports- Schedule Health and Schedule Adherence
      1. Do you see issues in data collection? 
      2. Make a plan to address corrections:
         1. Is it vehicle operator training that's needed? 
            1. Provide refresher sessions or touch base with who needs the information
         2. Is it stop to stop distance issues on routes?
            1. Update the files on the Routes card in the Navigation area

Related Articles

Schedule Health [Video]

Routes Card SOP 0019

Now Arriving - myAvail Route Navigational Adherence Overview

Managing Route Attributes on the Routes Card

On-time Performance Overview by Departure

Planner SOP 001: Schedule Data Management and Implementation

Planner SOP 002: Planning & Daily Schedule Analysis