Route optimization is (sort of) here

[mvl]

I've been playing with app 10.500, and for a while I kept wondering why it randomly put multi-waypoints at the beginning or end of a trip.

After a while, I realized something. The multi-waypoint function does attempt to optimize your trip when you add a waypoint. Each new waypoint is auto-loaded in the sequence in the trip that creates the smallest detour.

So, when you add a series of waypoints, Tomtom essentially auto-optimizes them. (you can always change the sequence if you like)

It's strange that Tomtom never bothered to advertise this new feature. Now that I know it's there, I've found it to be very helpful.

 

[dhn]

Which might explain, in part, why there is such a low limitation to the number of waypoints that can be added to a route.

 

[canderson]

Which might explain, in part, why there is such a low limitation to the number of waypoints that can be added to a route.

Which doesn't explain why TomTom was keeping this such a deep, dark secret.

I had not noticed this since I have been intentionally adding points in best routed order - as I suspect most people do when they know what makes sense for a short itinerary, and so nothing was being modified. I'll have to try a nonsensical ordering when I enter the additional points to see whether it modifies the sequence.

 

[dhn]

But there is to consider as well:
Route Optimization vs Route Sorting GPS Review

or this (trust me, you'll be the only person who can understand it ):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travelling_salesman_problem

 

[canderson]

Having not checked to see what the new 10.500 firmware is doing, I wouldn't hazard a guess as to which is being accomplished. That said - and without reading those links yet...

If indeed the 10.500 code is resolving short "traveling salesman" problems by producing an optimal order and routing for a selected group of waypoints, that would be major news. In those cases, you enter desired 'stops', and the unit optimizes the entire route for you, typically using your selected start and end points, and figuring out all in between. In other circles, this is called "least cost routing".

If 10.500 is merely creating new routes between waypoints based upon any added waypoints using Travel Via, and is able to display a projected route for all points before you start (unlike the old 'itinerary' planning), that was happening for me before. That's what Travel Via does/did before.

My impression from mvl's post was that it was that it was resequencing points, though. He said " Each new waypoint is auto-loaded in the sequence in the trip that creates the smallest detour.", which would indicate that it is indeed attempting to solve the 'traveling salesman problem' on at least the small scale that is provided with the few waypoints that Travel Via allows.

Will have to see if it is only auto-sorting or whether this is the real deal. Requires some testing.

 

[techguy378]

So is this new route optimization better than what Garmin uses for multi point routes?

 

[mvl]

So is this new route optimization better than what Garmin uses for multi point routes?

It is only 4 waypoints, and you have to enter destinations one-at-a-time via touchscreen, so it isn't as good as Garmin from a capacity and interface perspective.

I'm still trying scenarios, to see if IQroutes is taken into account. If it is taken into account, then I'd say the ultimate result should be better than Garmin.

 

[doctormstein1]

announces waypoints

I don't know if anyone noticed that as you travel it announces the way-points. It may say you are approaching your way-point in a quarter of a mile

 

[techguy378]

So is this new route optimization better than what Garmin uses for multi point routes?

It is only 4 waypoints, and you have to enter destinations one-at-a-time via touchscreen, so it isn't as good as Garmin from a capacity and interface perspective.

I'm still trying scenarios, to see if IQroutes is taken into account. If it is taken into account, then I'd say the ultimate result should be better than Garmin.

I was just curious strictly in terms of routing performance which is better. Is Garmin actually using route optimization like TomTom apparently is? Or does Garmin use one of the other methods like route sorting or waypoint sorting?

 

[gatorguy]

Garmin uses route optimization, first offered about 3 years ago. Magellan began offering route sorting at about the same time (but calling it optimized), while HP came along next with route optimization, tho less effective than what Garmin offered.

 

[Andy_P]

route optimization....
route sorting....
waypoint sorting...

Any chance you could explain the differences between these three terms?
thanks

 

[gatorguy]

Andy, the link to our article at GPSReview that David posted earlier in the thread is a very good explanation of the differences, as well as showing a way to determine which method your PND is actually using.

Route Optimization vs Route Sorting GPS Review

 

[Andy_P]

Thanks gatorguy, I'd missed that.

 

[dhn]

Been confirmed by TomTom that Navcore 10.5 introduced Route SORTING, not OPTIMIZATION.