How to use the Propagation tab

This is the tab where calibration becomes active in the planner.

The earlier tabs help you build and review a calibration. The Propagation tab decides what the current trip and future trips will actually use.

The main question here is:

Should this trip use System default, a saved Calibration profile, or Workspace preview (unsaved)?

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 distinction is:

Workspace preview (unsaved) is temporary
a saved profile is reusable
the line Calibration profile currently loaded in Trip Planner is the final check for what is active

Step 1: Start with the top status area

Start by reading the header and the status area at the top of the tab.

This area shows whether the planner is using a saved profile, workspace preview, or system defaults.

Use this area to confirm two things before changing anything:

what source is currently selected
whether the planner is already using that source

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 trip to stop using calibration-specific settings and return to the planner defaults.

Use this when:

you want a before-and-after comparison against defaults
you want to stop using the current preview or saved profile
you want the trip back on the standard planner baseline

Option B: Calibration profile

Choose Calibration profile when you want the trip to use a saved profile from the dropdown.

Use it when:

you want repeatable behavior you can load again later
you are done testing a workspace preview
you want the trip tied to a named saved profile

Option C: Workspace preview (unsaved)

Choose Workspace preview (unsaved) when you want the current trip to use the workspace draft without saving it as a profile first.

Use preview when:

you want to compare route behavior before saving
you are still reviewing a draft calibration
you do not want to overwrite or create a profile yet

Step 3: Verify what the planner is actually using

After changing the source, read the line:

Calibration profile currently loaded in Trip Planner

This is the most important confirmation in the tab.

If that line does not match what you intended, do not move on yet.

Step 4: Use Manage Calibration Profiles carefully

The next section is Manage Calibration Profiles.

This section changes saved profiles, not just the current trip assignment.

This is where you can:

load a saved profile into the workspace editor
overwrite the currently loaded saved profile
save the current workspace as a new profile
delete a saved profile

Load Calibration Profile

Use Load Calibration Profile when you want the workspace editor to open a saved profile.

Important: loading a profile can replace unsaved workspace edits.

Save Changes to Loaded Profile

Use Save Changes to Loaded Profile only when you want to overwrite the loaded saved profile with the current workspace state.

This changes a reusable profile, not just the current trip.

Save as New Calibration Profile

Use Save as New Calibration Profile when:

you want to preserve the current workspace state
you do not want to overwrite an existing saved profile
you want a second profile for comparison

Delete Calibration Profile

Use Delete Calibration Profile only when the selected saved profile is no longer needed. This is destructive.

Step 5: Use “Default for New Trips” sparingly

The Default for New Trips (Advanced) section controls what new trips start with.

This does not change every existing trip.

It sets the starting profile for future trips unless you override them later.

Use this when:

you have one saved profile you want to use as the default starting point
you want future trips to begin with that profile automatically

Do not set this yet if:

you are still testing variants
the profile is only for one route type or one use case
you do not want every new trip to start from it

Step 6: Treat Advanced Diagnostics as interpretation help

The Advanced Diagnostics section explains the current propagation state and route-support details.

Use it to interpret the current setup, not as the first thing to change.

If the diagnostics raise a concern, re-check the selected source and the loaded planner state before changing profiles.

Recommended order

Use this sequence:

Choose the trip source in Trip Calibration Source.
Confirm the result in Calibration profile currently loaded in Trip Planner.
Use Workspace preview (unsaved) first if you are still evaluating.
Save as a new profile or intentionally update a loaded profile only after the route preview is acceptable.
Set Default for New Trips (Advanced) only after you want new trips to start from that profile.

Common mistakes this tab helps avoid

Watch out for these:

assuming a workspace preview was saved
overwriting a saved profile when you meant to create a new one
setting a global default too early
not checking the planner-loaded line after changing the source

What to do next

After using the Propagation tab, continue with: