Turn by Turn Navigation Instructions - Any Standards

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Psamathe
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Joined: 10 Jan 2014, 8:56pm

Turn by Turn Navigation Instructions - Any Standards

Post by Psamathe »

We have some good'ish data exchange standards for routes and tracks and waypoints (.gpx) so routes/tracks/waypoints created on one system can be transferred and work on a different system.

Are there any similar standards for exchange of route directions (turn by turn navigation) - such that a route created under one system (maybe a specialist cycle routing web app) can then be transferred to some sort of GPS that can issue the relevant turn by turn instructions.

To me it seems that turn by turn navigation goes beyond a standard .gpx route and would need either a completely different file format/data or need the .gpx to be extended to include additional data.

I tend to only use .gpx for recorded track data (and occasional waypoint use) so maybe I've overlooked turn-by-turn app capabilities. But at the moment my (maybe incorrect) impression is that you have to use closed systems (e.g. Garmin's routing for turn-by-turn navigation on Garmin devices, Lezyne routing apps for use with Lezyne GPS devices, etc.) - so your choice of device determines how good (or bad) your routing is.

Ian
Richard Fairhurst
Posts: 2030
Joined: 2 Mar 2008, 4:57pm
Location: Charlbury, Oxfordshire

Re: Turn by Turn Navigation Instructions - Any Standards

Post by Richard Fairhurst »

In theory TCX can do it. It has 16 PointTypes, including "Left", "Right", and "Straight" (plus "Summit", "Hors Category", "Spring" etc.). But it's pretty rudimentary and I wouldn't really describe anything invented/used by Garmin as a standard, as they tend to make arbitrary decisions outwith the spec about what they'll support. It would be nice if there were something fuller featured and widely supported.
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cycleruk
Posts: 6065
Joined: 17 Jan 2009, 9:30pm
Location: Lancashire

Re: Turn by Turn Navigation Instructions - Any Standards

Post by cycleruk »

I use TCX downloaded from RidewithGPS on my Garmin 810. You can pre-set the distance before the turn for when you want the warning. (beep tone) The turn instruction is then repeated at the junction by tone and direction arrow.
I presume that any mapping/routing App will work if it allows TCX downloads.
I have downloaded and transferred routes from "Plotaroute" to RidewithGPS and then into the Garmin in TCX mode.
Whether other manufacturers use TCX I don't know?
You'll never know if you don't try it.
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