Dynamic Tracking Visualization for SAR Operations

I have not found a way to configure live tracking so that the line type and color dynamically change based on the rate of speed. If this functionality already exists, could you please guide me on how to enable it and whether it can be preset by an admin for all team members?

If this feature is not currently available, I would like to formally suggest it for future development, specifically tailored to SAR use cases.

Use Case:

During post-search debriefings and next-day planning, it's critical to understand not just where teams traveled, but how thoroughly areas were searched. Currently, tracking must be manually toggled on and off by the searcher, which introduces the risk of:

• Forgetting to turn tracking on when beginning a grid search, leading to areas being mistakenly marked as unsearched.
• Forgetting to turn tracking off during transit, creating misleading tracks that suggest an area was searched when it wasn’t.

Proposed Functionality:

1. User-Defined Speed-Based Line Styling:

   • Allow users or team admins to define custom speed thresholds and assign specific line colors and styles (e.g., solid, dashed, dotted) to represent different search intensities or modalities (e.g., on foot, ATV, vehicle transit).

2. Modality-Specific Tracks with Custom Parameters:

   • Enable users to assign a modality (e.g., helicopter, boat, drone) to a track, with:
     • Customizable line width to represent effective search swath
     • Adjustable opacity to reflect time of search or confidence level.

3. Map Object Tree Integration:

   • Automatically group tracks by user-defined categories (e.g., speed range, modality).
   • Allow toggling visibility of specific track types (e.g., hide all tracks over a certain speed).

4. Admin Presets for Teams:

   • Allow team administrators to define and distribute default visualization settings (speed thresholds, line styles, modalities) across all team members for consistency during operations.

Benefits:

• "Turn on and forget it" tracking: Searchers can activate tracking at HQ and focus on the mission without worrying about toggling tracking on/off.
• Reduces human error and improves the accuracy of search coverage representation.
• Improves clarity during debriefs and planning by visually distinguishing between search intensities and modalities.
• Supports dynamic filtering of tracks to better identify unsearched areas.
• Enhances adaptability when new information arises (e.g., change in subject’s mode of travel), allowing teams to reassess previously searched areas more effectively.

We believe this feature would be a valuable addition for SAR teams using CalTopo and would be happy to provide further input or participate in beta testing.