{{ :manual:user_guide:ic_path_add_new_alt.png?nolink|}}
====== Route Planning ======

----
===== About routes =====

**Routes** are strings of routepoints along which user is **[[manual:user_guide:functions:navigation|navigated]]** during his activity - hiking, biking etc. 

**Routes** are **pre-planned, drawn on a map or imported** and put into navigation devices so that we can travel along their lines. **Tracks** that were recorded by you or someone else **can be turned into routes** when we need to navigate them.

**Routes** can be drawn **manually on the map** or **automatically** by a **[[manual:faq:how_to_navigate_offline:|router]]**. **Locus Map** provides several methods of creating routes:
  * **Route planner** - tool for manual and automatic drawing of routes with routing service assistance
  * **Changing tracks to routes** - using tracks as routes for navigation
===== Route planner =====

==== How to start it ====

The planner can be started in several ways:

  * <wrap box>Menu > Route planner</wrap>\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan14.jpg |}}
  * <wrap box>Menu > Tracks > **+** > Route planner</wrap>\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan15.jpg |}}
  * <wrap box>add function to the [[:manual:user_guide:functions:panel|Function panel]] for quick launch</wrap>\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan16.jpg |}}
  * <wrap box>**[[manual:user_guide:webplanner:planning|Web route planner]]**</wrap> - you can plan routes also on a **[[https://web.locusmap.app|website]]** and then **[[manual:user_guide:sync|sync]]** it with your app
==== Route planner screen ====

{{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan.jpg |}}
  - **Drawing mode selector** - select among various routing modes, or the manual mode. The currently active mode is indicated on the button.
  - **add/remove route shaping points**
  - **back/forward** - move along planning process steps
  - **[[manual:user_guide:mainscr_lpanel|content panel]]** - slides out a panel with a selection of maps and other layers
  - **centering** - centers the screen on your current GPS location
  - **zooming** - zooms the map in or out (buttons can be hidden in route menu > settings)
  - **basic stats** - length, estimated time, elevation gain/loss
  - **graph tab switch** opens the elevation chart and surface/way type graphs:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan2.jpg |}}
  - **itinerary** - dynamic list of shaping or via point on the route
The **top bar** - contains **Save/Navigate** button and the **Route menu**.
==== Route line ====
The route line consists of segments rendered between shaping points and via points inserted on the map screen.
{{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan20.jpg |}}
  * {{:manual:user_guide:tracks:shapept.png?nolink&20|}} **shaping point** - basic point building the route, can be changed into **via point**.
  * {{:manual:user_guide:tracks:auxpt.png?nolink&20|}} **segment point** - forms on the line between shaping points. Changes to a new shaping point when shifted. Indicates the activity for which the route segment was planned. Tapping it opens the option to re-calculate the segment in a different profile.
  * {{:manual:user_guide:tracks:viapt.png?nolink&20|}} **via point** - place through which you want to go during navigation. Its name is announced by voice navigation when you navigate the route.

When a **routing mode** is on, the line between points runs **along roads and paths**. If you choose to draw **manually**, the line is **straight between points**, unrelated to roads. You can use **various routing profiles** or manual segments between each point of the route according to your needs.
===== Drawing instructions =====

==== Add shaping points ====
The route is built with **shaping points** {{:manual:user_guide:tracks:shapept.png?nolink&20|}} added on map:
  * by **tapping** {{:manual:user_guide:ic_point_add_alt.png?30|}} (points are added on the **cursor position**)
  * by **tapping directly on the map** (this option can be turned off in the route menu)
The route line, rendered between shaping points, contains also **segment points** {{:manual:user_guide:tracks:auxpt.png?nolink&20|}}. Both shaping and segment points can be **moved on the map** and the route is **immediately re-rendered** accordingly. You change a segment point into a shaping point, creating new segment points in between.
<WRAP center round important>
**NEVER place the shaping points on intersections!** The router must know the direction **after the turn** to add the proper navigation command. Locus Map marks the wrongly placed shaping points by a red circle:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan43.jpg?nolink |}} 
</WRAP>
==== Set the drawing mode ====
If you use the route planner for the first time, it will draw the route line in the walking profile. If you want to **change it**:
  * tap the drawing mode button 
  * tap the routing profile button to open the selection 
  * select another routing profile 
  * set additional parameters if necessary and close the dialog\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan3.gif?nolink |}}


==== Routing mode ====

    * {{:manual:user_guide:ic_type_cycle_alt.png?nolink&30}}, {{:manual:user_guide:ic_type_tourist_alt.png?nolink&30|}}, {{:manual:user_guide:ic_type_car_alt.png?nolink&30|}} etc. - the route line between shaping points is calculated by a **[[manual:user_guide:functions:navigation:settings#router|router]]**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan5.jpg |}}\\ 
    * the **progress of the route** depends on selected **profile** - car or bike routes run along roads, MTB or walking routes along paths etc.\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan60.jpg?nolink |}} Each profile has **additional parameters** that influence the route progress - terrain difficulty, ferries, steps, cycle paths preference, wet conditions...:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan57.jpg?nolink |}}

=== Customized ETA ===
All **walking and cycling profiles** provide an option to customize the way the app calculates your **estimated time on the route**. All except the road cycling profile base the calculation upon your **average speed on flat ground**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan66.jpg |}}
Road cyclists define their **power in Watts**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan67.jpg |}}
=== Include navigation commands ===

When checked, Locus creates also direction commands related to the new route which can be used for voice turn-by-turn navigation.
=== Router selection ===

The router profiles are provided by the selected **[[manual:user_guide:functions:navigation:settings#router|router]]**. To **change the router**, tap the left part of the profile button and choose:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan58.jpg?nolink |}}

**[[manual:faq:how_to_navigate_offline|More about routers, routing profiles and their parameters >>]]**
==== Manual mode ====
=== What is it good for? ===
  * useful in places not covered by routing data - when you need to **go off-road** and off-path (to cross a stream without a bridge or make a shortcut across a meadow...)
  * useful for **simple distance measurement**

=== How does it work? ===
{{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan61.jpg?nolink |}}
    * {{:manual:user_guide:ic_path_add_new_alt.png?nolink&30|}} - only plain line stretches between shaping points:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan4.jpg |}}

<WRAP round tip>Manual mode can be **quickly switched on** when you **long-press the drawing mode button**.</WRAP>
<WRAP round important>Manually drawn parts are **ignored by the router when you re-calculate** the whole route</WRAP> 
==== Alternative routes ====
{{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan71.jpg |}}
LoRouter Offline and GraphHopper routers also provide **alternatives for planned route segments**. Whereas GraphHopper always provides alternatives, it's necessary to turn this option on for LoRouter offline in settings > navigation > router:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan70.jpg |}}

===== Via points =====
Via points are places you want to go through when **navigating the route** - the voice navigation will notify you of them and in case of route recalculation the via points are not detoured.

Via points can be created out of **shaping points, LoPoints, your own user points or by defining new points individually**. 

==== Change to a via point ====
  * tap a shaping point on the map or itinerary and select **Change to** from the bottom panel:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan6.jpg |}}
  * tap the **via point** button
  * **rename** the via point (optional) and confirm. Via point in the planner:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan7.jpg |}}
  * after saving the route the via point is **marked by an icon**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan8.jpg |}}

<WRAP center round info>
  * By moving a via point on the map in the route planner it **changes back to a shaping point**.
  * You can set **[[manual:user_guide:tracks:planning#via_points_as_default|adding via points as the default]]** instead of the shaping points in the route planner settings.
</WRAP>

==== Add LoPoints ====
[[manual:user_guide:points:about#lomaps_points_of_interest|LoPoints]] can be added to your route too:
  * tap a LoPoint on map
  * select where to put it in the route - at the start, end or inside:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan9.jpg |}}
  * when you select to add the LoPoint at the end:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan10.jpg |}}
  * when you select to add it inside the route:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan11.jpg |}}

==== Add your own points ====
Your own interesting places or downloaded geocaches can be added to your route: 
  * display your selected **points on map** (Menu > Points > select whole folder or individual points)
  * add them to your route **the same way as LoPoints** (see above):\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan12.jpg |}}

==== Undo, re-do, remove points ====
  * to **remove last added shaping point**, tap {{:manual:user_guide:ic_point_remove_alt.png?nolink&30|}}
  * to **reverse all edits** (adding points, moving them), tap **back button**(see above, 3) 
  * to **repeat reversed steps**, tap **forward button**(see above, 3)
===== Itinerary =====
Shaping and via points are listed in the itinerary. Here you can perform several actions with them:
  * **change their order** by dragging the left part of the list:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan50.gif |}}
  * **change their location** with the [[manual:user_guide:tools:location|location selector]]:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan48.jpg?nolink |}}
  * **add via points** to the itinerary:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan51.jpg?nolink |}}\\ By tapping such a newly added point you can set its location by the [[manual:user_guide:tools:location|location selector]] - by an address, coordinates, projection, etc.
  * **delete** route points
  * display **route segment** details with the option for recalculation in a different profile:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan51.gif?nolink |}}

===== No-go points =====
If you know a place on the route you can not go through but which is not reflected by the map or routing data - e.g. temporary roadblock, wood harvesting in the forest, flooded area, etc., **tell the route planner to avoid it**.
  * shift the cursor on the spot you want to block and select **Add no-go** from the route menu:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan32.jpg |}}
  * if necessary, set the **means of transport** the no-go area is valid for, the area **radius** (25, 50, 100, 500, 1000 m) and **time of validity** (tap the no-go area on map):\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan34.jpg |}}
  * route planner makes **detours** around the no-go areas:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan35.jpg |}}
  * to **delete** a no-go area, tap the **...** menu:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan42.jpg?nolink |}} 
  * the route **without detours**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan33.jpg |}}
===== Warnings =====
<wrap info>Available with [[manual:user_guide:functions:navigation:settings#lorouter_online|LoRouter]] only</wrap>\\ 
Route planner marks **potentially dangerous places** on the route (challenging terrain, heavy traffic, barriers, tunnels, unprotected railway crossings, and so on). They are specific for each routing profile, e.g. cobblestones are marked as a "demanding surface" when using a road bike profile. If a warning concerns entire sections of the route, e.g., challenging surfaces or heavy road traffic, it also has a **zonal variant**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:functions:navigation:warn03.jpg?nolink |}}\\ Warnings are displayed on the route on the map. During navigation along the route, the symbols also appear under the main navigation window:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:functions:navigation:warn04.jpg?nolink |}}\\ If you tap on any warning symbol on the map, a **list of all warnings** on the route opens, sorted by distance. The length is also displayed for zonal sections. By tapping, you center the selected place or section on the map.\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:functions:navigation:warn05.jpg?nolink |}}
Warnings are also accessible from the **route menu**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:warn06.jpg?nolink |}}
<WRAP center round tip>
  * If you are an adventurous type and you don't need any warnings, you can **[[manual:user_guide:settings:points_tracks#route_warnings|turn them off in the app settings >>]]**
  * **[[manual:faq:how_to_navigate_offline#warnings:|More about warnings >>]]**
</WRAP>

===== Route recalculations =====
==== Segments ====
If you changed your mind and you want to **use a different activity** for a part of the planned route, OR the automatically drawn segment doesn't suit your purposes, you can have it **recalculated**:
  * tap the selected **segment point** on the map or in the itinerary
  * tap **recalculate** and select another activity
  * **confirm**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan40.gif?nolink |}}

==== Recalculate all ====
You can also recalculate the whole planned route for a different activity:
  * plan or open a route
  * open the drawing mode selector and **choose a new routing profile**
  * tap **Recalculate all**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan41.jpg?nolink |}} 
===== Automatic round trip =====
<wrap info>Available only with **[[https://www.locusmap.app/premium|Premium Gold]]**</wrap>

Locus Map can create your round trip automatically, based on defined **distance** and **direction**.
  * place the **starting point** on the map and tap **Suggest a new round trip** in the route menu\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan45.jpg |}}
  * select **activity** or means of transport (service is provided by GraphHopper only)\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan46.gif |}}
  * set **direction and distance**\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan47.jpg |}}
  * tap **GENERATE**\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan56.jpg?nolink |}}
===== Reverse route direction =====
This command quickly **reverses the whole route** and recalculates its stats - elevation gain, ETA, etc.
===== Stats, charts, weather and estimated travel time =====
  * **quick check the distance, estimated time on the route, and the elevation gain** - see the bottom bar. The ETT is just approximate.
  * **elevation chart** - <wrap info>Available only with **[[https://www.locusmap.app/premium|Premium]]**</wrap> slides up when you tap the chart button:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan2.jpg |}}\\ Tap the chart to see the position on the route on the map.
  * **way types and surfaces** - <wrap info>Available only with **[[https://www.locusmap.app/premium|Premium Gold]]**</wrap> further help to fine-tune your route. They are displayed only when LoRouter is set up. Detailed progress of way types along the route is under the **?** button:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan63.jpg?nolink |}}\\ Also the surfaces are ordered in a detailed list:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan64.jpg?nolink |}}\\ <WRAP center round tip>
**The chart dynamically changes according to your route edits** (adding points, moving them...)
</WRAP>

  * check **more details about the route** - Route menu > Route detail:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan18.jpg |}}
  * **Tools**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan19.jpg |}}
  * **[[manual:user_guide:functions:weather|Weather]]** - forecast for the route for 16 days ahead
  * **Compute area** - area covered by the route 
  * **Estimated travel time**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan21.jpg |}}\\ Detailed time prediction. You can select the route **activity** - 3 types of walk, 9 types of bike and 3 of cross-country skiing.
\\ {{  :manual:user_guide:tracks:trtime02.jpg  }}\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan22.jpg |}}\\ <WRAP center round tip>
The ETT is calculated from a combination of various parameters. These include distance, elevation profile, estimated speed, estimated elevation gain/loss per hour or a certain amount of break time specific for particular activities.
</WRAP>
===== Instant navigation/guidance =====
You can start [[manual:user_guide:functions:navigation:along-route|navigation along the planned route]] or [[manual:user_guide:functions:guidance#guidance_along_a_route|guidance]] right from the route planner:
  * open **route menu**
  * tap **Navigation/guidance**\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan23.jpg |}}
  * select the option you need and set additional parameters:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan65.jpg?nolink |}}
===== Share planned route =====
{{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan62.jpg?nolink |}}
You can quickly share a URL of the planned unsaved route. The shared data contains only shaping points, waypoints and the routing profile and the resulting route is generated on [[https://web.locusmap.app|web.locusmap.app]].
===== Save route =====
When you are done with all edits, **save your route!**
  * tap the saving button in the topbar:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan24.jpg |}}
  * route saving dialog opens:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan25.jpg |}}
  * add **name** of the route (optional - Locus usually inserts names of the route start/end places automatically)
  * add **description** (optional)
  * set **activity** - good for overall statistics
  * select **folder** - tell Locus Map where to store the route
  * set **style** - color, thickness, pattern... Usually, it is not necessary, the folder style is pre-selected.
  * tap **SAVE**

If you are dissatisfied with your planning or for whatever reason you want to abort all planning, tap **Clear planner** in the route menu:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan26.jpg |}}
<WRAP center round important>
**"Clear planner" does NOT erase No-go areas.** These are kept active even out of route planner, e.g. for navigation. To delete them, tap each no-go area and delete them individually.
</WRAP>

===== Settings =====
Route menu contains a **submenu of setting options**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan27.jpg |}}
==== Line style ====
{{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan31.jpg |}}
Here you can set the color, width, pattern and other graphical aspects of the route line:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan36.jpg |}}
<WRAP center round tip>
To **avoid too steep hills** you can set route color to dynamic slope style <wrap info>Available only with **[[https://www.locusmap.app/premium|Premium]]**</wrap> and define an unacceptable range of the slope angle, i.e. 10%-30%. Locus will highlight such places for you:</WRAP>
{{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan37.jpg |}}\\ so you can re-plan the route:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan38.jpg |}}

==== Retaining unsaved plan ====
By default, route planner **retains your unsaved plan** and **offers to continue your work on it when restarted**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan39.jpg |}}\\ If you want a **new route plan** each time you use the planner, **uncheck the option**.
==== Quick drawing ====
To **turn off adding shaping points by tapping the map screen**, uncheck this option.\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan28.jpg |}}
==== Measuring area ====
{{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan29.jpg |}}
Do you want to measure area of your property? Check this option in the menu (or long-press the distance box in the bottom bar), Locus will color the area on map and display the area value in the bottom bar:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan30.jpg |}}\\ <WRAP important round>**Measuring areas works correctly only when convex areas are drawn!**</WRAP>
==== Long tap on + ====
Here you can define the action after long-pressing the **+** button for adding points:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan54.jpg?nolink |}}
==== Via points as default ====
When this option is checked, the route is created from **[[manual:user_guide:tracks:planning#via_points:|viapoints]]** only:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan53.jpg?nolink |}}
==== Allow edit of navigation points ====
With this option checked, you can add points with navigation commands or change shaping/via points into them:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan55.jpg?nolink |}}
==== Keep manual segments ====
When turned on (default) the [[manual:user_guide:tracks:planning#manual_mode|manually entered segments]] are excluded from the route recalculation.
==== Zoom buttons ====
If you don't need them on the route planner screen turn them off (you can still zoom in/out by pinching or double-tapping/shifting).
==== Show magnifier ====
A convenient tool especially for those with weaker eyes - the magnifier always emerges when you move any part of the route. 
<WRAP center round important>
This setting turns the magnifier on/off also in the **[[manual:user_guide:tracks:editing#edits|track editor]]**.
</WRAP>

===== Using tracks as routes =====
Tracks can be turned into routes when they are intended for navigation or guidance:
  * select a track in **My library** or tap it on the map
  * select **Navigate** or **Guide On** or **Guide On reverse**
  * **[[manual:user_guide:functions:navigation:along-route|more about navigation along a route >>]]**
  * **[[manual:user_guide:functions:guidance#guidance_along_a_route|more about guidance along a route >>]]**

===== Web planner =====
Visit [[https://web.locusmap.app|web.locusmap.app]] or **[[manual:user_guide:webplanner:planning|read more info >>]]**