104 What is RUT Behaviour

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Getting Stuck in a Repeating U-Turn Loop

Description RUT - is a term that I coined to describe an odd behaviour that I sometimes encounter after using the Skip feature: In the event of having to leave the plotted magenta line - sometime later - the Zumo insists on taking me back to the place where I first left the route.

If U-turns are allowed:
  • The XT will issue very frequent demands to perform a U-turn.
If U-turns are not allowed:
  • The XT will use side roads to turn me back - if possible.
  • If no side roads are available, it will navigate ahead until there are - then it will turn me back.
From observations in both of these scenarios, the XT seems to want to take me to the closest point on its route. If U-turns are allowed, then the closest point is usually behind - starting from the last point it asked me to perform a U-turn.

The behaviour stops either if I give in to its instructions, or I get close enough to the plotted magenta line for it to continue to navigate ahead. If U turns are allowed - from observations, this is usually when the plotted route is less than a mile ahead.
U-Turn demands do not mean a RUT situation has developed.
In Pic 1, I was approaching Askern from the North - using the A19. The XT had plotted the magenta line to continue on the A19 to Doncaster. I preferred a quieter route and headed East.

The 'Balance Point' is marked by the red disc. It is about this point where it becomes faster to continue in the direction that I am heading than it is to turn back to Askern and follow the original route.

Until I reach this point, any demands for a U-Turn to be expected and are entirely reasonable.

After this point however, the way that I am travelling becomes the faster route.


RUT Behaviour on the Map
Pic 1 shows the location of the bike. The satnav has demanded a number of U-turns, which I have ignored and the screen shows that my position at the side of the road - it has already turned the bike icon around, although I am actually facing south ! I am about 4 miles from the chequered flag, and the XT is trying to route me back the way that I have travelled to rejoin the A19 at Askern. That is about 16 miles.
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The information on these pages has been acquired from personal experience of using and testing the behaviour of Basecamp and my Zumo XT. I have no links with Garmin, and these pages should not be regarded as instructions. They are presented for interest only. The contents of these pages must not be shared, copied, transmitted, redistributed or re-published in any form without my permission. (C) JHeath 2021.