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Better route detection

Last updated: June 10, 2026 | 3 minutes read

Monitor traffic conditions and automatically evaluate alternative routes for optimal navigation. This feature provides real-time route adjustments, reducing travel time and improving efficiency in dynamic traffic environments.

What you need​

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Prerequisites:

  • Route computed with specific RoutePreferencesObject settings
  • Active traffic data on the route
  • Significant time gain (over 5 minutes) for alternative routes

Step 1: Configure route preferences​

Configure the RoutePreferencesObject with the following required settings:

  • setTransportMode — RouteTransportModecar or RouteTransportModeLorry
  • setAvoidTraffic — TrafficAvoidanceAll or TrafficAvoidanceRoadBlocks
  • setRouteType — RouteTypeFastest
let preferences = RoutePreferencesObject()
preferences.setRouteType(.fastest)
preferences.setAvoidTraffic(.all)
preferences.setTransportMode(.car)

let navigationContext = NavigationContext(preferences: preferences)
navigationContext.delegate = self

Add additional settings to RoutePreferencesObject during route calculation, provided they don't conflict with the required preferences above that are needed to test for better route detection.

Additional requirements​

Traffic data:
Traffic must be present on the active navigation route for callbacks to trigger.

Time savings threshold:
Alternative routes must offer time savings exceeding five minutes to be considered. This ensures meaningful route adjustments.

warning

❌ Better route detection will not function if the required conditions above are not met.

Step 2: Register notification callbacks​

Implement the following NavigationContextDelegate methods to receive better route notifications:

  • navigationContext(_:onBetterRouteDetected:branchingCoords:travelTime:delay:timeGain:) - Triggered when a better route is identified. Provides the new route, the branching coordinates, total travel time, traffic-induced delay, and time savings compared to the current route. A timeGain value of -1 means the original route has roadblocks and time gain cannot be calculated.
  • navigationContext(_:onBetterRouteInvalidated:) - Triggered when a previously detected better route is no longer valid. Occurs if the user deviates from the shared trunk, a new better alternative appears, or traffic conditions change.
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You must manually manage and switch to the recommended route. The navigation context does not automatically switch routes.

func navigationContext(_ navigationContext: NavigationContext,
                       onBetterRouteDetected route: RouteObject,
                       branchingCoords: CoordinatesObject,
                       travelTime: Int,
                       delay: Int,
                       timeGain: Int) {
    print("Better route detected — travel time: \(travelTime) s, delay: \(delay) s, time gain: \(timeGain) s")
    // Store the better route and present it to the user for acceptance
}

func navigationContext(_ navigationContext: NavigationContext,
                       onBetterRouteInvalidated state: Bool) {
    print("Previously found better route is no longer valid")
}

Step 3: Switch to the better route (optional)​

To switch navigation to the detected better route, stop the current navigation and restart it with the new route:

func acceptBetterRoute(_ betterRoute: RouteObject) {
    navigationContext?.cancelNavigateRoute()

    navigationContext?.navigate(withRoute: betterRoute) { success in
        print("Switched to better route: \(success)")
    }
}
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