Dispatch Areas – Boundary Management

The Problem

Users need a way to create and edit jurisdictional boundaries. These boundaries will be called dispatch areas, and allow drivers to be dispatched to shipment drop locations within the boundary. The boundary creation process is done via polygon drawing on the map within the UI.

The Goal

Give the users a drawing feature that enables a polygonal drawing tool from the map menu UI. Through this feature users will be able to draw accurate boundaries and be able to save custom names to them. Within the larger system, users can assign drivers to the created dispatch areas. A minimal user flow allows the creation and deletion of dispatch areas when it is enabled on the map. Boundaries will snap within the edge of the geographic areas to which a city service center serves.

Research

This feature’s user testing and feedback responses were gathered to validate the usability and location within the map toolbar. The trigger for the dispatch areas was ordered within the toolbar to give the proper hierarchy to it. Users felt the option fit best within expanded part of the map toolbar since it was used more seldom than other options. Utilizing Google’s Material Angular framework, the capability to draw polygons came easy for the users. Working with the pre-baked functionality allowed customizing to be had early in the testing phase.

Drawing with Polygons

Customizing a boundary is very rapid once the user has made a boundary. A unique feature also forces dispatch areas to be configured in any way they do not overlap. Dispatchers have total control over what areas their drivers adhere to.

User Confidence

Smart use of the service center boundary coordinates allows a dispatch group to auto-crop within the geographical area.

Dispatch Areas – Boundary Management

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