When generating a route, you will see icons at the top of your screen that represent the different vehicle routing modes available to you.
First, choose between emergency and non-emergency at the top and the route will be generated accordingly. The Emergency mode is the default option and enables you to make use of all legal exemptions typically granted to blue light drivers. This includes:
- No motor vehicle access (e.g. Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and School Streets)
- No left/right turns
- Bus/taxi access only
- Emergency access only
If there are physical barriers (e.g. bollards or locked gates) blocking the road, the route will not try to take you through them.
Then, ensure the correct vehicle mode is selected. Your most recent choice will be selected by default. They're not specific to type of emergency service, but vehicle characteristics.
The icons are shown in greyscale when unselected, and colour when
selected. Tapping between the icons will automatically re-calculate the
route.
Response Car
For response vehicles with a standard car chassis.
Large Response Vehicle
This mode is designed for vehicles such as Ambulances and Police carriers/vans.
It will avoid roads with restrictions that are narrower than 2.5m, the typical width of ambulances and police personnel carriers, as well as check for height restrictions less than 3m.
Emergency/Non-Emergency
modes apply as normal. For example, if there is both a width
restriction and a wider lane designed for buses through the middle (as
below), Emergency mode functionality will expect you to travel through
the wider bus lane. If Non-Emergency mode is selected, this road would
be avoided.
Smooth Ambulance Ride
This mode is designed for ambulances with a patient on board. In addition to the 'Large Response Vehicle' characteristics, it will try to avoid speed bumps and rough road surfaces as much as possible.
Fire Appliance
This mode is designed for vehicles that are 3m wide and 4m high (the upper limit of most fire appliances).
It will also try and find routes that avoid too many turns on smaller roads, and reduce the number of sharp turns.