Introduction

Routes form one of the key concepts for using the NPMRDS tools. The first step to analyzing a road in a report is to define a Route. The Route Creation Tool is a TMC map that allows users to designate a start and end point, which the underlying routing software will then use to create a route including all TMCs between the two points. For more direct route creation, users can add three, four, or more pins. Saving the created route allows it to be used in Reports where many congestion and performance metrics can be investigated. This document will walk you through the creation of a route.

Overview

1. Accessing the Route Creation Tool
2. Creating a Route
3. Saving a Route
4. Using the Route

1: Accessing the Route Creation Tool

The primary way to access the route creation tool is via the Left Hand Navigation Bar.

The first step towards creating a route is to click on Route Creation on the Left Hand Navigation Bar. This will take you to the TMC map where you can begin to create your route.

2. Creating a Route

Using the map, zoom in on the area with the roadways you are interested in. By default, the map will only display TMCs in the last region selected under the "Geography" option in the Macro Tools. It is recommended that users select the region they are working in prior creating a route.

To build a route, you’ll place pins on the map by left-clicking the desired locations. To create a simple route, place a start and end pin. For more complex routes, you can place as many additional pins as required. On divided highways or other roadways with separated lanes of opposing traffic in NPMRDS, be careful to place the start and end pins in the lanes that correspond to the correct traffic direction. Zooming in close can help improve accuracy when placing pins. Please note that placing a pin on a TMC will select the entire TMC. Sometimes this may make a route shorter or longer than imagined. Be sure to check the map after placing pins to determine their length. Once you have placed the second pin, the route will be highlighted on the map.

Placing the first pin.

Placing the second pin to complete the route.

The TMCs contained within the route will be displayed in the Route Creation Panel in the top right. Hovering over a listed TMC will highlight it on the map. Additionally, users can use the buttons to remove the last set pin or clear all selected TMCs.

3. Saving the Route

Now that the route is defined, it can saved by clicking the "Save Route" button on the Route Creation Panel.

Enter a name for the route and click the "Save Route" button. A window will pop up confirming that the route has been saved successfully.

Using the Route

One the route has been saved, it is now available for use in the Repors Tools where congestion and route performance can be analyzed. This will be covered in the documents under the Route Report Tools section.

Introduction

The Route Creation Tool is a map allowing the user to visualize the TMC network and bundle them together to create Routes. Routes are one of the key concepts for the NPMRDS tool suite. Using the Route Creation Tool, users place pins on the map to sketch out a route which then can be saved for use in the Reports Tools for congestion and performance measure analysis.

Contents

1. Accessing the Route Creation Tool
2. Navigating the Map
3. Changing the Base Map
4. Functions of the Left-Hand Route Creation Menu
5. Functions of the Right-Hand Route Creation Menu

Accessing the Route Creation Tool

To access the Route Creation Tool, use the Left-hand Navigation Bar. This will open the TMC map, allowing the user to explore the TMC network and place pins on the map to create routes.

The basics of navigating the map interface and what each of the functions provided by the menus are described below.

Navigating the Map

Zooming

Zoom in and out by scrolling the mouse wheel or using the "+" and "-" buttons in the bottom right corner of the map.

Panning

To pan, click and hold anywhere on the map. Drag the cursor in the direction that you want the map to move the map.

Rotating

To rotate, click and hold the black and grey triangle symbols in the bottom right corner of the map. Drag the cursor to the left or right to rotate the map. Clicking the button once will return the map to the default orientation.

Tilting

Clicking and holding the right mouse button will allow users to rotate by dragging left and right or tilting by dragging up and down.

Changing the Base Map

You can change the base map to display a different background, such as satellite imagery or light and dark themes by clicking the map button at the top of the Left-hand Route Creation menu.

From here, choose the desired map background. Clicking back on the "Layers" will return to the previous menu.

Functions of the Left-Hand Route Creation Menu

In addition to switching the base map backgrounds, the Left-Hand Route Creation menu allows the user to select which year they would like to view the TMC network for. TMCs can change on a year to year basis, splitting and merging as required. Clicking the "Year" drop down menu will present the available years.

Functions of the Right-Hand Route Creation Menu

The Right-Hand Route Creation menu is used in conjunction with placing pins on the map to create routes. When at least two pins have been placed, the Right-Hand Route Creation menu will display the TMCs that have been selected by the route, allow the user to remove the last placed pin, clear all TMCs and pins, and save the mapped route for use in the Report Tools.

Creating a saving a route here is one of the key features of the NPMRDS tool suite.