Hey there Newtracs community!
I've just begun using this app and have so many questions and suggestions to make this a little more user friendly. I'm also not very thorough at searching so please advise if I have overlooked any questions or information.
Firstly, I couldn't find any more in depth track information until reading through the forums. I was wondering what the solid red line through the tracks and the yellow markers meant. I only discovered this when I read through the Billy Goats Bluff Feedback forum. This information should be readily available on the app in the area where it explains different track difficulties.
Secondly, can someone please clarify what the following means; in the below photo, it shows Mount Margaret Track with a black (difficult) rating, however it has 6 next to medium (blue), 4 next to difficult (black) and 1 next to very difficult (red). What does all this mean? does it mean that 6 cars that have been assessed to only be suitable for medium tracks have conquered this? does it mean that 6 people have have assessed it as medium, 4 as difficult and 1 as very difficult?
Also, if the numbers are indeed the vehicle rating that have conquered the track (which I think I have just noticed), why is it rated as a difficult track if majority of the vehicles to have driven it only have a medium rated car? Is this a 'better to be safe than sorry' scenario, for users to over prepared rather than under prepared?
Thanks in advance everyone! I am VERY excited to use this app to map and track any future adventures, and I like to be as prepared as possible.
Hi there
The traffic information shows how many cars have visited a track within the past 6 months, split by their vehicle capability. In your example, 6 Blue rated cars have visited Mount Margaret Track in the last 6 months, 4 Black rated, etc.
This traffic information (alongside average speed) is very useful when trying to judge whether to attempt a track, by understanding the breadth of vehicles that have attempted before you. In addition, be sure to check the "last trip logged" date, as track ratings can be updated infrequently in remote areas. If for example, only highly capable Red rated vehicles have gone down a track, you might be more cautious to attempt it, especially if the last trip logged date is over a year ago.
You can find out your vehicle capability by completing a Vehicle Profile in app (Account > Vehicle Profile). (PS You will need to be online to complete or update your vehicle profile.). This will give you an understanding of how the platform rates your vehicle setup, to see where you sit amongst those who have attempted a track before you.
Of course, this should be treated as a guide to help inform your route - 4wd tracks and their obstacles are unique and constantly changing. If you come across an obstacle you arent sure of, you should not attempt it regardless what the app says.
Note that the users do not assess track difficulty, this is done automatically by the platform, by analysing your trip logs. Users can provide feedback to allow us to adjust difficulty ratings, but this is fairly rare. The track rating is automatically determined based on many factors, including how well vehicles performed up the track. In this way, even if a track has been visited by only highly capable cars (e.g. Double black diamond rated), the track could still be graded as Easy / Green based on their performance up the track.
The solid red line through the tracks denotes difficult sections, where other users have travelled at low speed.
The yellow markers identify major obstacles as identified by the platform, where users have had considerable difficulty passing through. This could be a fallen tree trunk, a rocky obstacle, bog hole, etc. At present, the platform cannot determine the type of obstacle, but we are building functionality for users to input this additional detail in future.
You can find answers to most of these questions on our website => www.newtracs.com.au/important-info
You can also access this info in app by clicking the 'Important Info' link when selecting a track. You will need to be online to access it.
Let me know if anything is missing and we will happily add more info.
thanks
James