Traffic

When calculating routes, certain average speed values ​​on specific road sections are used for calculations, not taking into account changes in traffic intensity (depending on, among other things, the time of day). This may cause routes calculated in this way not to reflect reality. During peak traffic hours, it will take much longer to cover the route, while at night it will be possible to cover the route much faster. Therefore, the option of showing a route variant taking into account street traffic has been introduced.
After a standard route calculation, it will be possible to check how such a route will look, taking into account traffic and availability at specific times on individual route sections. Such a route will start at the same time as the original, but the planned times of subsequent points may be shifted. What's more, it may turn out that the route between two subsequent points will also change if the system decides that at a given time it is worth taking a different route.

Module availability

If you would like to try and use this solution, please contact us. Traffic requires the use of Maps Pro, which are additionally paid, regardless of the subscription. To start, as part of the trial, you will receive a package of tokens that authorize the use of various Maps Pro services. Later, you will be able to buy another package depending on your needs. Individual services within Maps Pro may have different values ​​and consume a different number of tokens. To learn more about the offer, please contact the sales department or use the contact form.

Working with Traffic in mind

To use the module, go to the [Projects] tab, create a new project or select from the list. In the project editing window, select "Yes" for the [Traffic] option. Generate the route as usual, in the [Routes - map] section, select the "traffic lights" icon next to the selected route. The route verification process will start in the variant that includes traffic. An alternative route that includes traffic will be displayed for the given route. By clicking the "eye" icon, you can see how the selected route will run on the map in relation to the original route, the optional route will be displayed in a slightly lighter color than the original route. After entering the "3 dots" and [Details], you can also see how the travel time of a given section and the distance to be covered will change. Under the route name on the right, you will also have a summary of the change in time and distance in relation to the original route. Next to the route, there is also an "Accept variant" and "Reject variant" icon. If you choose to accept the variant, the question “Replace the route with the variant that includes traffic?” will be displayed. A positive response will replace the original version with a new route variant that includes traffic. After this operation, only one route for this vehicle will be visible on the timeline. If you decide to click “X” – “Reject variant”, the prompt will be displayed: “Reject the variant that includes traffic?”. Accepting the prompt will delete the variant. After these operations, you can now approve the route and send it to the drivers.
If the route variant exceeds the permitted limits, e.g. driver's working time, or some point is outside the time windows, a yellow triangle icon will be displayed next to the variant acceptance button - warnings. Clicking on it will display a list of warnings regarding the route variant.

You can also generate a route taking into account [Traffic] immediately after creating the project. After clicking the [Generate routes] button arrow and [Generate routes for day], an additional option [Take into account traffic] will expand.

Use of tokens

If you choose the option with traffic and you have no tokens available, you will be prompted with the following message: “No tokens to perform the operation. Do you want to top up your account?”. Answering yes will display the window for purchasing a token package (the same as when purchasing SMS packages).
The optimizer will recalculate a given route if at least one token is available. This can lead to a situation where after this operation, the number of available tokens will be negative. In such a case, the number of tokens will be displayed in red. If there are no tokens for the next routes, then variants for them that take into account street traffic will not be calculated.

If a variant that includes street traffic is displayed for a route, all operations on the route are blocked until the variant with street traffic is accepted or rejected.