How to use the Propagation tab

This is the tab where calibration becomes operational.

The earlier calibration tabs help you decide whether the calibration looks believable.

The Propagation tab is where you decide what the trip should actually use.

The main question here is:

Do I want this trip to use the standard defaults, a saved calibration profile, or a temporary preview of my current workspace?

What this tab is for

Use the Propagation tab to:

• choose what the current trip should use
• preview the current workspace settings on the current trip without committing them
• save the current workspace settings as a reusable calibration profile
• update or delete an existing saved profile
• choose what new trips should start with by default

The key mental model is:

• preview is temporary
• saved profile is reusable
• trip assignment is what makes the current trip actually use a saved profile

Step 1: Start with the top status area

Always start by reading the top of the tab.

It tells you what the planner appears to be using right now and whether you are looking at a saved state or a more temporary one.

The most practical takeaway from this area is simple:

• confirm what you think is active before you change anything
• do not assume that reviewing the tab has already applied a change

Step 2: Choose the Trip Calibration Source

The first major section is Trip Calibration Source.

This is the main decision point in the tab.

Your options are:

• System default
• Calibration profile
• Workspace preview (unsaved)

Option A: System default

Choose System default when you want the current trip to stop using any calibration-specific setup and go back to standard planner behavior.

Use this when:

• you want a clean before-and-after comparison
• you are no longer confident in the saved or previewed calibration
• you want to reset the trip to a simpler baseline

Option B: Calibration profile

Choose Calibration profile when you want the current trip to use a saved, reusable calibration profile.

This is the normal long-term path when you have a saved profile you trust.

Use it when:

• you have a profile you want this trip to use
• you want reproducible behavior you can come back to later
• you are done previewing and ready to use a saved configuration

Option C: Workspace preview (unsaved)

Choose Workspace preview (unsaved) when you want to test the current workspace settings on this trip without saving them into a reusable profile first.

Use preview when:

• you want to compare behavior before committing
• you are still evaluating the calibration
• you are not ready to save or overwrite a profile yet

This is usually the safest way to test a calibration on a real route.

Step 3: Verify what the planner is actually using

After changing the source, always check the line that tells you what is currently loaded in the planner.

This is important because a common mistake in this tab is thinking you changed the trip when you only changed the selection state.

If the "currently loaded" line does not match what you intended, pause and re-check before moving on.

Step 4: Use Manage Calibration Profiles carefully

The next major section is Manage Calibration Profiles.

This section is about the calibration profiles themselves, not just the current trip.

This is where you can:

• load an existing saved profile into the workspace
• save changes back into a loaded profile
• create a new saved profile from the current workspace
• delete a saved profile

Load Calibration Profile

Use this when you want the workspace to open a saved profile so you can inspect or edit it.

Important caution:

• loading a profile can replace unsaved workspace changes

Save Changes to Loaded Profile

Use this only when you intentionally want to overwrite an existing saved profile with the current workspace state.

This is powerful because it changes a reusable profile, not just the current trip.

Save as New Calibration Profile

This is usually the safest save option.

Use it when:

• you want to keep the current workspace state
• you do not want to overwrite an existing saved profile
• you want a new variant for comparison

Delete Calibration Profile

Use this only when you are certain the selected profile is no longer needed.

Treat this as destructive.

If you are unsure, keep the profile and clean up later.

Step 5: Use “Default for New Trips” sparingly

The Default for New Trips section controls what future new trips will start with.

This does not mean every current trip changes automatically.

It means future trips will start from that profile unless you later override them.

Use this when:

• you have one calibration profile you trust as your normal starting point
• you want future trips to begin there by default

Do not use it casually if:

• you are still experimenting
• the profile only makes sense for one unusual trip type
• you are not yet confident that this should become your normal default

Step 6: Treat Advanced Diagnostics as interpretation help

The Advanced Diagnostics section can help you understand what is active and whether the route seems well-supported by the current calibration.

Use it as a confidence and interpretation layer, not as the main control surface.

If the diagnostics look concerning, that is a reason to slow down and review your choices.

It is not a reason to skip the basic question of what the trip is actually set to use.

A safe order of operations

For most users, the safest sequence is:

1. Decide whether you want standard defaults, a saved profile, or a temporary preview.
2. Use Workspace preview first if you are still evaluating.
3. If the preview looks good, save it as a new profile or intentionally update an existing one.
4. Assign the saved profile to the current trip.
5. Only after that, decide whether it should become the default for new trips.

Common mistakes this tab helps avoid

Watch out for these:

• assuming a preview was saved when it was only previewed
• overwriting an old profile when you really meant to create a new version
• setting a default for new trips before you trust the profile
• forgetting to confirm what the current trip is actually using

What to do next

After using the Propagation tab, continue with:

• Apply calibration to a route
• Saved calibration profiles versus preview
• Compare route outputs before and after calibration