Release date: July 8, 2024
Routing Enhancements
The PC*Miler routing algorithm is improved with every version release. Highlights for version 38 include:
53-foot routing enhancements are now standard in PC*Miler 38
PC*Miler 38 includes enhancements that generate more direct (and sometimes shorter) routes for 53-foot trailers as the routing algorithm takes into account state-by-state exceptions to the requirement that 53-foot trailers be routed along the U.S. National Network.
In PC*Miler 37 and lower, 53-foot routes could be calculated when National Network routing was selected in the route settings or the pcmserve.ini configuration file.
In PC*Miler 38 and higher:
- The installed user interface now requires settings related to a vehicle's dimensions in order to calculate 53-foot routes.
- If you integrate with PC*Miler Connect or PC*Miler Spreadsheets, the National setting can still be used to calculate 53-foot routes. However, when possible, we recommend giving users the option to select more specific vehicle dimensions.
Below are the possible updates needed for each platform:
PC*Miler Installed User Interface
The Road Network drop-down setting has been disabled in Route Options > Routing Preferences. If a vehicle's length is greater than 48 feet or if its width is greater than 96 inches, then the Road Network will automatically be set to State + National Network. With a length of 48 feet or less or a width of 96 inches or less, the setting is automatically None.
As a result of the Road Network change, vehicle dimensions need be specified in one of two ways in order to calculate 53-foot routes.
- In a route window, select the Heavy Duty Semitrailer routing profile from the drop-down. That profile automatically sets the vehicle length to 53 feet and width to 102 inches.
- Or, under Route Options > Vehicle Dimensions, set the Length to 53 feet and Width to 102 inches. Select Save to finish.
PC*Miler Connect DLL and PC*Miler Spreadsheets
PC*Miler Connect is a locally installed DLL that a client application, such as a TMS, uses to retrieve PC*Miler distances, driving times, state-by-state mileage breakdowns, and detailed driving instructions. PC*Miler Spreadsheets is an add-on to Microsoft Excel.
Option 1
Many Connect and Spreadsheets customers likely require no changes. If you have been using the following setting in the PCMSERVE.INI configuration file, PC*Miler 38 automatically sets the vehicle length to 53 feet and width to 102 inches.
[Defaults] CalcType=National or CalcType=FiftyThree
This assumes you have not set a vehicle routing profile (Option 2 below) or specific vehicle dimensions (Option 3 below). Those settings override the .ini setting.
Similarly, these API settings in PC*Miler Connect 38 also automatically set the vehicle length to 53 feet and width to 102 inches.
PCMSGetCalcType() is called with RTTYPE_NATIONAL or RTTYPE_FIFTYTHREE PCMSSetCalcTypeEx() is called with RTTYPE_EX_OPT_FIFTYTHREE or RTTYPE_EX_OPT_NATIONAL
Option 2
(Connect only. Software changes to your application are likely required.)
While it will likely require software changes, a preferred option is to give users the ability to directly select a Vehicle Routing Profile. Profiles are passed when building a route by calling the PCMSSetRoutingProfileName API prior to running a trip. The 53-foot profile is called Heavy Duty Semitrailer. In the Connect API call, it looks like this:
PCMSSetRoutingProfileName(TripID, Heavy Duty Semitrailer)
Option 3
(Software changes to your Connect application are likely required.)
Connect
A final option is to give users the option to directly set four vehicle dimensions: Length (which should represent Trailer Length), Width, Height, and Weight. Dimensions are set in PC*Miler Connect by calling the PCMSSetVehicleConfig function prior to running a trip. To set a 53-foot trailer, the Connect API call would be:
PCMSSetVehicleConfig(TripID, 0, 0, 162, 102, 53, 80000, 5, 0)
Spreadsheets
Vehicle dimensions can be set directly in Excel when calculating distances.
Estimated travel time (ETT) enhancement
The Trimble routing algorithm has been updated to provide more accurate estimated travel times (ETT) in applications. The ETT update is not included by default in the installed (Connect, user interface) release of PC*Miler. Customers, however, can contact us if they would like to add the update to their installation.
Map Data Enhancements
Our road map data in North America is updated with every PC*Miler version release. Some highlights for version 38 include:
- 345 new construction road projects were added
- Over 32,700 new POIs were added to the Places Database
- Over 27,600 new site locations were coded, including distribution centers, retail storefronts, manufacturing plant, and truck stops and service centers
- More than 2,800 miles of new highway-level network was added to the United States
- Truck through-travel restrictions were updated within over 1,000 city limits
- More than 10,600 customer-reported issues were fixed
For more details, please see our North America map data release notes. (PC*Miler 38 includes all of the map data updates starting at Q2.1 2023 and ending with Q2 2024.)
Other Updates
Discount toll programs added
Three new discount programs can be used in toll cost calculations:
- V-Toll on the Ohio Turnpike.
- The AVI sticker ticket system for Pharr International Bridge in Texas.
- The Express Card program for Hammock Dunes Bridge in Florida.
To apply a discount program, be sure it is checked in Application Settings > Tolls.
Hazmat routing in web services spreadsheets
A new argument was added to PC*MILER Web Services spreadsheets that allows you pass hazmat categories that should be applied to the routes created for mileage calculations.
Bug Fixes
Fixed an issue that could cause an Out of Memory error on startup of PC*Miler Connect.
Notes
Automatic License Activation
Automatic license activation may be blocked by cybersecurity client applications. To complete activation, you can briefly disabled the cybersecurity app, or complete Manual Activation.