Using Location Modifiers

  • Waypoint locations for routes can be modified using heading or side_of_road parameters to refine route calculations.

  • heading guides vehicle direction at waypoints (0-359 degrees, like compass directions) and is compatible with Drive and Two-wheeler travel modes.

  • side_of_road biases the route towards the waypoint's side of the road and is only compatible with the Drive travel mode.

  • heading and side_of_road parameters cannot be used together for the same location.

Locations may include modifiers to change how routes are calculated.

Using the Heading Parameter

When you specify waypoints (origin, destination, and intermediates) for a route, you can specify the direction you want the vehicle to head when it arrives at each waypoint. You can use this feature to ensures that the vehicle arrives on the same side of the road as the consumer waiting to be picked up. When you don't specify a heading, the vehicle can arrive on the wrong side of the road.

Specifying a heading for a waypoint

Heading values are whole numbers that align with the compass directions, and therefore range from zero to 359. For example, a value of 0 indicates a heading direction of due North.

Example

The following example demonstrates how to set a heading for a waypoint.

{
  "latLng": {
    "latitude":37.419734,
    "longitude":-122.0827784
  },
  "heading": 127
}

Using the Side of Road Parameter

When specifying a waypoint, you can request that the route go through whichever side of the road the waypoint is biased towards by using the side_of_road parameter.

Example

The following example demonstrates how to set side_of_road for a waypoint.

"location": {
  "latLng": {
    "latitude":37.419734,
    "longitude":-122.0827784
  },
}
"sideOfRoad": true