This tool allows us to view a bus on any one particular OASTH route.
Usage: Please follow the steps below to start using this application:
select one of the available OASTH routes from the list
select the direction of the route whether it be destination or return trip
select the view button
Helpful Functions
Route Zoom. By selecting the route zoom function, the system returns to the home view of the route on the map allowing the user to view the whole route in its entirety and centers on the midpoint of the route. This function is useful in the instance that the user loses sight of the route in the viewable display area and would like to return to the route view instantly. The route zoom function is automatically enabled the first time the map is viewed.
Zoom on the bus. By selecting this function, the system returns to the largest map view possible allowing you to view all buses currently on the route. In the instance where there are no buses available in the destination that has been inputted by the user, the system will notify the user accordingly.
Maintain Zoom Level. This function is enabled by selecting the checkbox. When we refresh the map with the new options selected but we want to also maintain the original map view, this is when we choose the Maintain Zoom Level function. This will result in the map maintaining its zoom level and central point at all times.
View Bus Stops. This function is enabled by selecting the checkbox. By enabling this function, the Bus Stops will be displayed along with their name on the map. This function may be useful when the icons of the buses are not clear and may provide a clearer view.
MAP SCALE
Before we discuss the zoom function, we must understand how the zoom is function is scaled. The scaling on the civil maps is 19. This means that we can zoom in 18 times.
HOW DO I CHANGE TO SATELLITE IMAGE, MAP VIEW, TERRAIN VIEW OR HYBRID VIEW
To change the type of map that I want to view, I use the buttons available on the map.
The first button, MAP allows us to view it in the CIVIL map view.
The second button, SATELLITE, is to view the satellite map.
The third button transforms the view into a satellite image but with civil map features such as cities, streets etc shown on the view.
HOW DO I CHANGE THE ZOOM LEVEL
To change the zoom level or scale of the map we can use one of 6 different methods, each one with its own advatages.
Zoom by double clicking (left click)
One method is to double click on the location on the map that we wish to zoom in on. This is the most direct and accurate method as far as being able to centre on the position that you want to zoom in on.
Zoom by using the mouse scroll button.
The quickest method zoom in on the map is to use the mouse scroll button. By scrolling forward we zoom in and by scrolling back we zoom out of the map.
Using the zoom bar.
By using the zoom bar (as pictured below) we can zoom in on the map according to the levels specified on the bar itself.
The highest point on the bar being the highest level of zoom and the lowest point being the lowest level of zoom.
We click and drag the level bar to the point of zoom we require and it sets the map to that zoom level accordingly.
Navigating on the map can be done using the following methods:
By clicking and holding down the left mouse button and dragging the map to the position you require. When the mouse pointer is positioned over the map the pointer changes to a hand icon showing us that we may drag the map to the required postion. When we click and hold the mouse button, the icon changes to a fist showing that we may now move the map to the required position. An alternative method to navigating the map is to use the directional buttons found on the zoom bar as pictured below.
Pressing on the right arrow moves the map to the right, pressing on the left button moves the map to the left and so on. By pressing the middle button, it returns the map to the original position as it was when starting the application.
To zoom in using the magnifying glass, follow the steps below:
We click on the magnifying glass icon and this in turn changes color to yellow showing us that the magnification function is now enabled. The mouse pointer has now changed icons to resemble cross hairs and it allows us to select any point on the map. By holding down the left mouse button and dragging it to the point that we want to magnify, results in a blue box on the area that we have selected to be magnified.
Once we release the mouse button, the map then changes scale and zooms in on the area that has been selected.
Additionally, on the map directly under the zoom button, a new button appears labeled BACK. The BACK button allows us to return to the view we were at prior to magnification. If the zoom button is continually used, the back button remembers all previous levels of zoom that have been viewed and will revert to them as the BACK button is pressed.