Map Settings – Route Map Settings, Layers And Overlays
For an enterprise business managing dozens or even hundreds of routes, the Routes Map is one of the most effective tools for last mile optimization. It gives dispatchers and route planners a visual way to monitor stops, drivers, and route progress in one place. With Map Layers, you can customize exactly what appears on the map, from destination markers and ETAs to vehicles, territories, and traffic. This guide explains each option so you can build the view that best fits how your team works.
Table of Contents
Routes Map Overview – Customize Your View Of Route Activity
The Routes Map gives dispatchers and route planners a live visual of route activity, showing where stops are located, how routes connect, and how work is distributed across your team.
Because different teams look at the map for different reasons, you can customize what appears on it. Whether you’re checking route progress, spotting congestion, or comparing coverage areas, you can show only the information you need.
Map settings apply only to your own account, so any changes you make won’t affect your sub-users, who have their own settings and can customize their view independently. NOTE: Learn more about using the Routes Map.
Map Layers overlay contextual and operational data on the map, including locations, orders, vehicles, and other critical elements. They work the same way on every map in Route4Me, including the Routes Page and the Route Editor.
To use them, click the Gear Icon on the map to open the Settings panel. Under “Map Layers”, select one or multiple layers to display, then adjust each layer’s options to show only the information you need.
Every map starts with a “Default” preset, but you can save your own combinations as new presets so you can return to the same view anytime. Use the “Preset” dropdown to switch presets, save changes, save a new preset, reset changes, or delete a preset.
Map Layers – Overlay Locations, Vehicles, Facilities, And More
Facilities Layer – Route Depot Information And Coordinates
The Facilities layer shows depot locations as map markers, each with a name label that you can show or hide using the “Labels” checkbox. You can also display a performance metric next to each facility, as detailed in the table below.
To choose which facilities appear, click “Filter” to open the facility list, then select, deselect, or search for specific facilities. You can also filter by “Facility Type” or “Status” (Active or Archived).
Hover over any Facility Icon to view its details. Use the three-dot menu in the pop-up to insert the facility into a route.
Facility Map Metrics
Locations Layer – Clustering And Heat Maps
The Locations layer lets you view location clusters, a density heat map, or both to see where routes are concentrated. Clustering activates automatically for large datasets, with the heat map highlighting high-density areas to help you identify patterns.
Destinations Layer – View Destination Markers And Clusters
The Destinations layer displays individual destinations as markers on the map, helping you see where stops are located.
Enable “Clusters” to group nearby destinations into numbered clusters showing how many stops each contains, making large datasets easier to review. Hover over an individual destination to view its details, detailed n the table below.
Destination Details
Fuel Stations – Station Locations, Fuel Prices, And Detour Times
The Fuel Stations layer displays fuel stations as markers on the map, helping you find where to refuel near your routes.
Enable “Labels” to show each station’s name, price per gallon, and drive time next to its marker. Click any station marker to view its address, route, fuel type, price, and additional details. Click the Three-Dot Icon to add the station to a route.
Orders Layer – Visualize Distribution Across Routes
The Orders layer displays individual order locations or clusters of orders to visualize distribution across routes and destinations.
Enable “Clusters” to group nearby orders, “Marker Color by Status” to distinguish order statuses, and “Service” to label each order by Category, Name, or Code. You can also hover any order to view its details and insert it into a route.
Vehicles Layer – Track Vehicles On The Route Map
The Vehicles layer helps you track vehicles directly on the route map.
To choose which vehicles appear, click “Vehicles” to open the vehicle list, then use the “Search Vehicles” field or the checkboxes to show or hide specific vehicles. You can also select “Active Vehicles” to filter by last update time.
Enable “Labels” to display each vehicle’s Alias, and “Fuel / Battery” to show a progress bar with its current fuel and battery levels. Hover over any Vehicle Icon to view its key details.
Users Layer – Monitor Assigned Team Members
The Users layer displays assigned Field Team members and Drivers on the map, improving visibility into workforce allocation and route assignments. Enable “Labels” to display each User’s name next to their marker.
To choose which Users appear, click “Users” to open the user list, then use the “Search Users” field or the checkboxes to show or hide specific team members. Hover over any User Icon to view their key details.
Assets Layer – View And Filter Asset Locations
The Assets layer displays Asset icons on the map, showing you where your Assets are located. Enable “Labels” to display each Asset’s name next to its icon. Hover over any Asset Icon to view its key details.
To choose which Assets appear, click “Filter” to open the asset list, then use the “Search Assets” field or the checkboxes to show or hide specific Assets. You can also use the Filter menu to narrow visible Assets by “Type” or by “Asset Origin“.
Territories Layer – Display And Manage Route Coverage Areas
The Territories layer shows all configured territories on the map, helping you ensure that route planning aligns with assigned coverage areas.
To choose which territories appear, click “Filter“, then use the “Search Territories” field or checkboxes to show or hide specific territories. Right-click any territory on the map to open an actions menu with options for managing it, detailed in the table below.
Territory Actions Menu
Regions Layer – View Regional Boundaries And Performance
The Regions layer displays configured regions as shaded areas on the map, helping you see geographic boundaries and compare how routes perform across them.
Enable “Labels” to display each Region’s name on the map. Hover over any Region to view its details and performance metrics, such as Sequence Adherence, Performance Score, and Total Time.
Avoidance Zones Layer – Ensure Compliance And Safety
The Avoidance Zones layer displays all defined restricted areas on the map, helping ensure that routes comply with operational or regulatory constraints.
To choose which zones appear, click “Filter“, then use the “Search Avoidance Zones” field or checkboxes to show or hide specific zones. Right-click any Avoidance Zone to open an actions menu with options for managing it, detailed in the table below.
Avoidance Zone Actions Menu
Truck Restriction Layer – View Commercial Vehicle Constraints
The Truck Restrictions layer lets you view commercial vehicle constraints and designated truck routes directly on the map.
Enable “Vehicle Restrictions” to display icons for restrictions such as height, weight, length, width, and hazardous materials limits.
Enable “Truck Preferred Roads” to display designated or recommended commercial truck corridors. These are highlighted in purple. Major truck corridors appear with a wide highlight while secondary designated truck roads appear as a thin line.
Icon style and units vary by region.
In the US and Canada, most restriction signs are yellow diamonds. US maps show values in feet, inches, and tons (T). Prohibition signs (No Trucks, No Trailers, No Hazardous Materials) are round with a red slash, while specific hazmat restrictions use diamond-shaped placards. Maps in Europe and other regions show round, red-bordered signs with meters (m) and metric tonnes (t).
See the Truck Restriction Icons table below for a description of what each icon means.
Truck Restriction Icons Legend
Traffic Layer – Identify Congestion And Delays
The Traffic layer overlays current traffic conditions on the map. This helps you identify congestion and adjust route planning to minimize delays and improve on-time performance.
Weather Layer – Radar, Satellite, Wind, Storm, Snow, And Temperature
The Weather display overlays one or multiple weather-related layers on the map. View radar or satellite imagery, monitor wind patterns, track storms, see snow coverage, and display temperature to anticipate how weather will impact routes.
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About author: Daniel Archer
