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Bug

The Vehicle Routing Problem service REST API call does not respect the default_date parameter.

Last Published: February 10, 2015 ArcGIS Online
Bug ID Number BUG-000084649
SubmittedJanuary 21, 2015
Last ModifiedOctober 8, 2025
Applies toArcGIS Online
Version found3.5
Operating SystemN/A
Operating System VersionN/A
StatusAs Designed

Additional Information

The "default_date" parameter on the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) service is only used to select a date. According to the documentation, “Only the date portion of this value will be used; the time-specific portion of the value will be ignored.” Refer to the documentation for more information. To control the actual route start time, specify "EarliestStartTime" in the routes parameter. Refer to the documentation for more information. The "EarliestStartTime" in the routes works together with the "default_date" parameter to control the start time for each route (vehicle). The purpose of the "default_date" parameter is to allow the same set of routes to be reused without having to adjust the "EarliestStartTime" daily to match different dates. When the routes start at the same time each day, the same "EarliestStartTime" can be set for each route. By updating "default_date" for each day, the analysis can be executed for different dates without modifying the routes themselves. Another important point is that the VRP service uses a time-neutral Origin–Destination Cost Matrix (OD) to determine route assignment and sequencing. The values from this time-neutral OD are used to populate the time and distance costs for the out_stops and out_routes fields, ensuring consistency with the optimization logic. Once the sequence of stops and depot visits is finalized for each route, the Route solver generates directions based on the actual starting time of the route. This allows the directions fields to include more accurate arrival times that account for traffic. To observe these differences, use the "out_directions" output.

Steps to Reproduce

Bug ID: BUG-000084649

Software:

  • ArcGIS Online

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