## Route Creation

| Menu path |
|-----------|
| {{ menu }} → {{ menu_routes }} → {{btn_add_route}} |

```{important}
Before creating a route, **make sure** to configure the **Vessel Dimensions** section. Vessel dimension parameters are used as defaults when creating a route: cross-track distance, turning radius, and average speed.

It is required to configure the **route check** criteria: RMS and CATZOC values are taken into account when checking the route for navigational safety. The minimum permissible XTD value is calculated **automatically**.

When compass data is unavailable, the drift angle is not considered in the maneuvering band calculation.
```

### Route plotting

| № | Action | Description | Image |
|---|--------|-------------|-------|
| **1** | **Create route** | Press **Create route** in the **Routes** window<br>The **Route planning** window will open<br>The window is identical to the **Edit route** window | {{btn_add_route}} |
| **2** | **Route name** | Enter the **name** of the route in the corresponding field<br>The default name is **"New route"** | ![Name field](images/route-name-field.png) |
| **3** | **Configure criteria** | Configure navigational safety criteria and route check parameters<br>Set safety parameters according to navigation conditions | ![Safety criteria](images/safety-criteria.png) |
| **4** | **Add waypoints** | Add waypoints using any method:<br>**Tabular** — press **Create WP**, enter WP coordinates in the **LAT/LON** fields. To enter coordinates, position the cursor in the input field, enter the value, and press **Enter** to confirm<br>**Graphical** — left-click at the desired location on the map (coordinates can be refined later in the route table)<br>**Graphical with touch screen** — tap at the desired location on the map (coordinates can be adjusted as described above)<br>When creating waypoints, the route is displayed on the map, and the route table is filled synchronously. Route points are connected only sequentially, in the order of creation | ![Planning table](images/route-planning-table.png)<br>![Coordinate input dialog](images/waypoint-input-dialog.png) |
| **5** | **Leg geometry** | **Leg geometry** — selection of the geographic line type:<br>**RL** (Rhumb Line) or **GC** (Great Circle)<br>Change by clicking the field of the selected WP<br>Default: **RL** | ![Geometry settings](images/leg-geometry-settings.png) |
| **6** | **Direction of travel** | **Direction of travel** on a river:<br>**↑** — against current<br>**↓** — with current<br>Change direction by clicking the arrow in the table<br>When plotting a river route, ECDIS automatically determines the current direction if it is encoded in the ENC | ![River direction](images/river-direction-settings.png) |
| **7** | **Waypoint names** | **Waypoint names**<br>It is recommended to assign names to the start, end, and important waypoints<br>Start and end WP names will be used as departure/arrival points | ![Point names](images/waypoint-names.png) |
| **8** | **Deviation parameters** | **XTD PORT**, **XTD STBD** are set to the {doc}`default value </sections/vessel-settings/vessel-dimensions/index>`<br>**Turn Radius** and **Speed** are filled with default values<br>Values can be changed if necessary<br>When permissible values are exceeded, fields are highlighted in color | ![XTD parameters](images/xtd-parameters.png) |
| **9** | **Calculated parameters** | **Leg length** and **Leg bearing** are calculated automatically when waypoint coordinates are changed<br>These fields are **non-editable** | ![Leg parameters](images/leg-length-bearing.png) |
| **10** | **Save route** | **Save** — apply changes and save the route<br><br>All entered data is saved in the route database | ![Save button](images/save-button.png) |

```{tip}
When editing a route, **batch selection and editing** can be used. For details, see {doc}`**Tables** </sections/data-input-control-devices/tables/index>`.
```

### XTD Calculation
 1. After plotting the route, enter the speed of travel for each route leg
 2. Press **Calculate XTD**
 3. ECDIS will calculate the **minimum cross-track distance (XTD)** for each route leg. The calculation is performed based on the planned speed on the leg and the maximum **CATZOC** value under the route leg

```{note}
If XTD was entered manually, the values will not be preserved when recalculating the **minimum cross-track distance (XTD)**. It is recommended to modify XTD values after calculating the **minimum cross-track distance (XTD)**.

It is not recommended to reduce the XTD value below the calculated one.
```

### Automatic turn check

When plotting a route, an automatic check is performed to verify that turns with the specified turning radius are feasible.

**Indication of problem areas:**
- Turn points that failed the route section check will be highlighted in **red**
- Sections where a turn with the specified turning radius is impossible are **crossed out**
- In such cases, it is recommended to change the position of the turn points

![Turn feasibility check](images/route-turn-validation.png)

```{note}
For precise waypoint positioning, use graphical input followed by coordinate adjustment in the planning table.
```

![Turn feasibility check](images/Route_4.png)

```{tip}
When plotting WPs, note that ECDIS performs the navigational safety check not along the WPs but along the route centerline and within the XTD zone.

For long turns, the turning radius should be used. In this case, the WP may be located both outside the XTD and beyond the shoreline. Such a WP position is not an error.
```

### Planning recommendations

**Preparation stage:**
1. Ensure vessel dimensions are up to date
2. Configure route check criteria for the navigation area
3. Verify availability of current ENCs along the planned route

**Route creation:**
1. Assign a meaningful name to the route
2. Plot waypoints taking navigational hazards into account
3. Use correct leg geometry (RL for legs shorter than 50 nautical miles, GC for legs longer than 50 nautical miles)
4. Check XTD and turn radii

**Checking:**
1. Perform a full navigational safety check of the route
2. Verify that all turns are feasible
3. If necessary, correct problem areas and re-run the safety check

```{important}
After completing the planning, be sure to perform a navigational safety check of the route. Only checked routes can be activated for track monitoring.
```
