Trip Planning And Map Reading The primary learning outcomes desirable from this lesson are as follows: 1)Become knowledgeable concerning the various planning strategies necessary for trouble free trips. 2)A basic understanding of the essential vehicle and home preparations before embarking on a long trip. 3)An understanding of important items to include in the vehicle in case of roadside emergencies. 4)A realization that the driver(s) also need to be fully prepared and appropriate plans in place for rest and rotation. 5)An understanding of strategic planning in respect to seasonal and traffic patterns.

Trip Planning and Map Reading

Advance Considerations Pick a route using local roads or Interstates. Pick a time and date to leave. Are there rush hours or construction areas to avoid? Check the weather in the places where you will be traveling. Make advance reservations if you plan to stay overnight.

Vehicle check-up Exhaust System: There must be no leaks in system. Steering System: Wheels should be aligned, shock absorbers should be ready, tires should have ample tread and properly inflated. Engine System: All fluids, belts, and hoses need to be ready. Engine should be tuned. Air conditioning coolant should be checked. Braking System: Make sure all parts are in good working order.

Vehicle check-up Check: transmission fluids, wiper fluid, air filter, tire pressure and tread, spare tire Make sure your jack for the tire spare is properly working. Other checks:

Vehicle check-up Within a week of leaving: Get an oil change Make sure all lights and wipers work. Have a full tank of gas. Give your car a through inside cleaning

What to bring with you…just in case oil, windshield fluid fire extinguisher first-aid kit flashlight battery jumper cables spare fuses tools: screwdriver, pliers, etc. flares or reflectors Take with you in the vehicle

What to bring with you…just in case Rain Gear Whistle, for emergency Water bottle, Full Pocket knife Matches, in waterproof container Emergency trail food Take with you in the vehicle

What to bring with you…just in case Extra windshield wiper First-aid kit Extra set of car keys Antifreeze Compass Small trash bag

Take with you in the vehicle What to bring with you…just in case Cell phone Black electrical tape Blankets, mittens, hats Food, snacks Coins for tolls Telephone numbers for motor club and road emergency Travelers checks, credit cards and calling cards

Before Leaving Before living on a trip make sure that you give all travel information not only to the people or places you’ll be staying at, but several close family and friends where you live.

Go to a copy machine, take everything out of your wallet, put in on the copy machine and copy it (front and back) twice. Leave one at home and store the second in a secret place in your suitcase. If your wallet is ever stolen, you will know exactly what you have lost and will have all the telephone numbers to call to cancel credit cards, credit cards number, etc. at you finger tips. Before Leaving

Make sure you cancel all newspapers. Pay all your bills before you go Get someone to look over your house. Ask someone to pickup your mail If possible, park a car in your driveway. Before Leaving

Lock doors and windows. Notify police of your absence. Arrange pet care. Have a well lit house with timers on the lights. Unplug electrical appliances such as computers, T.V.’s, and stereos.

Bring music with you. Have alternate driver with you. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Know your exact destination. Preparation of Driver Good night sleep before leaving. No alcohol in your system. Go over maps and route you are taking.

Loading your vehicle Avoid heavy loads if possible. Do not exceed the highest load your tires can carry. Use the highest tire pressure listed in owner’s manual. Don’t put heavy objects in roof carrier. Don’t carry a filled fuel can. Make sure nothing is blocking your view. Keep loose and heaviest items in the trunk of the car.

Traveling with a trailer Double time and space you need to accelerate, slow, and turn. Cuts fuel economy in half. Check trailer lights. Make sure you have appropriate hitch, safety chains, and extended mirrors on both sides.

Figure out how many miles you would like to drive. A good average is 400 miles in an 8 hour day. (but rotate drivers) Take breaks every 2 or 3 hours. (Solo driver) Eat light….heavy meals make you sleepy. Drive only during the hours you are normally awake. Keep fresh air circulating. Maintain focus on driving, traffic, and confusing situations. Stay alert. Keep eyes moving. Day time driving

Night time driving If you feel at all sleepy, pull over and rest for a while or go to a hotel. Use low-beam lights, if there are on-coming cars Keep your windows clean. Do not look directly at the oncoming traffic headlights. Look at the right edge line. Temporary stay awake measures: open windows for fresh air; play music; talk with passengers; use caffeine sparingly.

Winter driving You can travel in any season as long as you are prepared. Bring: Shovel, water, warm clothes, warm blankets, sleeping bags, bag of salt, tire chains or purchase snow tires, winter scraper and snow brush, tow line, high energy foods and sand for extra traction. If you drive during holidays you might want to leave a little earlier because traffic could be heavier.

Strategic traveling Allow Time You should leave a little before scheduled time or you may not reach your destination on time. Listen to Weather and Traffic Reports Weather and traffic reports will help you better plan your trip. Choose the Best Time to Travel In many cities normal rush hour traffic will test your patience and and waste time and fuel. If possible travel when traffic is light.

Map Reading Know where you are and where your exact destination is on the map. Use the legend to figure out what various signs and symbols mean on the map. Use the scale to figure out how many miles you will be traveling. To find a city: Locate the letter and number of the city in the index and find the same number and letter on the edge of the map. Next, intersect the lines horizontally and vertically. The spot where those lines meet is the approximate location.

Map Reading Using an Internet service such as MapQuest is an easy way to plan and chart your travel.

Review time… How much do you remember?

5) Before embarking on the trip, a good precaution would be to ___________everything in your wallet in case it’s stolen. 1) Before a longer road trip, it’s important that your vehicle has a _____________ to be sure it’s in good running order. 3) Since many road trip are of substantial mileage, it would be a good idea to change the ______ before starting out. 4) In case of trouble on the road trip, the best communication device would be a ______________. 2) True or False: It’s a good idea to bring with you an assortment of tools in case of some minor car trouble. __________ 6) Also before leaving, have someone pick up your _______ and occasionally _______their car in your driveway

7) True or False: Use the highest recommended tire pressure listed in your owners manual. _______ 9) Perhaps the most important preparation for the driver is to get a good _____________before the departure time. 8) Also before leaving home, it’s a good idea to have selected lights inside the house set on _________ 10) True or False: In case you run out of gas in some remote area, it’s a good idea to have a filled fuel can. ________ 11) It’s not a good idea to overload your vehicle. Be especially aware of not putting too much on ___ of the car.

17) When traveling eat light…heavy meals make most people ___________ 12) True or False: If you are traveling with a trailer, be sure to double the time and space needed to accelerate, slow down and turn. ______ 14) If driving by yourself, take a break about every ______hours. 13) If there is more than one driver, a good average mileage for one day of travel would be _________ 15) True or False: When driving at night, look at the right edge line instead of the on-coming headlights. _________ 16) True or False: As a good stay-awake measure, have a cup of coffee or caffeine beverage every hour. ________

23) Using an _____________service is an easy way to plan and chart your travel. 18) True or False: Traveling in the winter requires extra considerations such as: blankets, shovel, water, sand, scraper and snow brush. ________ 20) When passing through large cities, try to avoid the _______ hours as the heavy traffic will test your patience as well as wasting time and fuel. 19) You should leave a little ________ your scheduled time because of possible adverse weather or heavy ________ 21) On a map, use the _________ to figure out what various signs and symbols on the map mean. 22) True or False: To find a city on a map, locate it’s letter and number and intersect them to the approximate location. _______

Happy Traveling!