Tailoring the directions to your specific needs

by leveraging the avoidHighwayTypes and excludeHighwayTypes parameters.

This is a continuation of the Directions Service article

Navigating within buildings and complexes can be a challenge, especially when considering various obstacles and preferences. The new avoidHighwayTypes and excludeHighwayTypes parameters empower you to customize your indoor routes to suit your specific needs, ensuring a seamless and accessible journey.

Supported Highway Types:

The avoidHighwayTypes and excludeHighwayTypes parameters support a range of path types commonly found within venues, allowing you to fine-tune your route to your preferences: 'ramp', 'stairs', 'ladder', 'escalator', 'travelator', 'elevator', 'unclassified', 'residential', 'footway', 'wheelchairramp', and 'wheelchairlift'.

Avoiding Specific Path Types:

The avoidHighwayTypes parameter allows you to specify path types that you prefer to avoid within a venue. For instance, if you're pushing a stroller or carrying heavy luggage, you might want to avoid stairs and escalators. To do so, simply add the path types you wish to avoid to the avoidHighwayTypes parameter when calling the getRoute method.

Example:

miDirectionsServiceInstance.getRoute({
  origin: { lat: 38.897389429704695, lng: -77.03740973527613, floor: 0 },
  destination: { lat: 38.897579747054046, lng: -77.03658652944773, floor: 1 },
  avoidHighwayTypes: ['stairs', 'escalator']
});

Excluding Path Types Entirely:

The excludeHighwayTypes parameter takes customization a step further, allowing you to completely exclude certain path types from your route. This means that the DirectionsService will never consider these path types as part of your journey, ensuring that your route aligns with your preferences.

Example:

miDirectionsServiceInstance.getRoute({
  origin: { lat: 38.897389429704695, lng: -77.03740973527613, floor: 0 },
  destination: { lat: 38.897579747054046, lng: -77.03658652944773, floor: 1 },
  excludeHighwayTypes: ['stairs', 'escalator']
});

Accessibility Considerations:

The avoidHighwayTypes and excludeHighwayTypes parameters are particularly useful for individuals with accessibility needs. For example, if you are unable to use stairs or escalators, you can add excludeHighwayTypes: ['stairs', 'escalator'] to your getRoute call. This will ensure that the DirectionsService provides you with a route that doesn't include these obstacles.

The avoidHighwayTypes and excludeHighwayTypes parameters take priority over avoidStairs

The avoidStairs parameter will be disregarded if either avoidHighwayTypes or excludeHighwayTypes is specified. This approach stems from the fact that avoidHighwayTypes and excludeHighwayTypes provide a more granular level of control over which path types to exclude.

Example:

miDirectionsServiceInstance.getRoute({
  origin: { lat: 38.897389429704695, lng: -77.03740973527613, floor: 0 },
  destination: { lat: 38.897579747054046, lng: -77.03658652944773, floor: 1 },
  avoidStairs: true,
  excludeHighwayTypes: ['wheelchairramp']
});

Unrestricted routes

To get a route that isn't restricted in any way, assign an empty array to either avoidHighwayTypes or excludeHighwayTypes

Example:

miDirectionsServiceInstance.getRoute({
  origin: { lat: 38.897389429704695, lng: -77.03740973527613, floor: 0 },
  destination: { lat: 38.897579747054046, lng: -77.03658652944773, floor: 1 },
  excludeHighwayTypes: []
});

With these new parameters, you have the power to tailor your indoor routes to your specific needs and preferences, whether it's avoiding stairs for easier access, prioritizing accessibility, or simply navigating through a venue with ease.