Avoidance Code is Being Created and Added to the Program

[Mark Sedenquist]

You may recall, from the post made by xxx, (looking for that post) that a request was made to add some "avoidance code" that would enable a map user to select or create a route that would AVOID MAJOR HIGHWAYS (like Interstate Highways.) All of the RTA Library Maps essentially have this feature, because Tom and I have used Waypoints to build the routes without--in most cases-- using Interstate Highways. So, it is already possible to do this for every RTA member and/or map user.

But we thought it would be fun to all map users to have the capability of doing this more-or-less automatically. We are also adding the feature to "avoid" ferries and toll roads when users are creating routes and maps.

Tom is working on creating the enabling code this month and we hope to have it in BETA by the end of October--perhaps much sooner.

Another change that you might have noticed, is that Tom has added the Civil War Campground, Wades, and Sporting Venue icons to the icon list that appears on both the Map Wizard and Advanced Maps page.

Please use this thread, to report any issues that you see that might arise in this BETA period.

Also, we welcome any ideas you might have for new features for the RTA Mapping Program.

Thanks,

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

News in our progress

Tom will be adding three different "Avoidance" elements to the both the Map Wizard and Advanced Maps pages.

So a calculated route can be altered to show alternative routes where:
Ferries are avoided
Major Highways are avoided
Tolls are avoided

It is really cool -- Tom and I have been testing on a Developmental Server and having some fun with it.

We should be ready to roll it out within a day or so to the RTA server.

Once live, of course, we will need you to test it for us.

Announcement of that BETA period soon.

Thanks,

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

The RTA site will be closed, so we can complete some new updates to the RTA Custom Mapping Program on Tuesday, October 1st between the hours of 9:00 pm PDT and 10:30 pm PDT.

If you're working on your maps, registering or posting on the forum, please be aware that service might be interrupted between 8:45 pm (PDT) and 11:00 PM (PDT). PLEASE REMEMBER TO SAVE YOUR WORK PRIOR TO 08:30 PM (PDT).

Some parts of the site will remain open and available for viewing. The best way to view those sections would be to look at the historical sections of this site. This site has been updated every day since February 14, 1996 and so there is plenty to see. The easiest way to view the older sections
is to use this link -- which will take you to the what we call the RTA Attic.

While there -- Look for the "Fun Stuff & Inspiration" sections.

-- RTA Management Group

[AZBuck]

Mark and Tom... I'm sorry to be so late in mentioning this, but it took a while for me to realize what I really wanted. Yes, 'Avoid toll roads' is one thing I'd definitely like, but 'Avoid ferries' is something I wouldn't but could just turn off. As to an even bigger picture, it's not 'major highways' I'd generally like to avoid, but rather 'major population centers'. Just as an example, when I used to drive regularly between my home in Portsmouth NH to my family in Wilmington DE, I managed to do so while completely missing Philadelphia and New York. Yet I still managed to make the trip in 8 hours while paying no tolls. Maybe on the next update... AZBuck

[Mark Sedenquist]

Notwithstanding Buck's idea -- which we will give some thought to...

The Avoid options are in place.

I will write some explanatory text -- for use on the page, but I bet you will discover how cool this is just by playing with it.

Mark

We've added a new mapping feature on the RTA Custom Maps application that allows users to "automatically" exclude types of highways and modes of movement from their maps.

If you look at either the MAP WIZARD page or the ADVANCED MAPS page, you will see some "avoidance" options whereby you can change automatic routing supplied by these maps to avoid "major highways," or "ferries," or "toll roads." You can also select all three.

Once you have created an "automatic route" try this:

Close the description box (click the "X") and then click on "Avoid Major Roads" and the click "Find Route from Addresses" button again. You will note that the blue route line has moved away from the "major roads" (interstate highways in the USA.) Save it again with another route name and close box to keep on editing or adding attractions. Likewise you can alter routes you have chose to "avoid" toll highways and ferries if the route identified has those on it. There is no limit to the number of times you toggle these choices, if you uncheck the "major roads" check box and click "Find Route from Addresses" again, you will see the route returns to follow the Interstate Highways in the USA And national roads in Canada and Mexico. The avoidance checkboxes also work with the GPS Coordinates for Start and End.

[AZBuck]

Mark,

I've kicked the tires just a bit on this and I was somewhat surprised to find that the 'Avoid Big Cities' would happen without including it specifically. The test case I had mentioned earlier was Wilmington DE to Portsmouth NH while missing Philadelphia and New York. By simply giving the two endpoints and checking 'Avoid Major Roads' the mapping routine returned just what I would have wanted. In hindsight it's obvious... since major roads connect major cities, avoiding one will avoid the other.

AZBuck

[Mark Sedenquist]

Buck,

I had hoped that you would discover this. I had tried a few instances while testing the program and noticed this happens too. It's works best if the start and end distances are relatively close.

But it is a nice side effect.

Thanks for kicking the tires on this for us.

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

This is the explanation we are using on the Advanced Maps page. Does anyone have a verbiage suggestion?

To create a simple route using the automatic route utility:
1. Enter the start address.
2. Enter the end address.
3. Click "Find route from addresses."

A blue line will appear on the map. The start point will be identified by a green marker. Fill in the name of the route in the popup info window and save. New: Close the description box (click the "X”), check the "Avoid Major Roads” checkbox, and then click the "Find Route from Addresses" button again. You will note that the blue route line has moved away from limited-access highways (such as Interstate Highways in the USA). Save it again with another route name and close the box to keep on editing or adding attractions. Likewise, you can choose to "avoid" toll highways and ferries if the route identified has those on it. There is no limit to the number of times you toggle these choices, if you uncheck the “Avoid Major Roads" checkbox and click "Find Route from Addresses" again, you will see the route returns to follow the limited-access highways. The avoidance checkboxes also work with the “Find Route From Coords” button, after specifying Coordinates for Start and End. In some circumstances, it is impossible to create a route that doesn't use a ferry, a toll road, or a "major road," to connect two locations. In those cases, the route will not honor one or more of the specified avoidance options.