HGVSOLUTIONS.COM – QUICK START
GUIDE DOWNLOAD
STEP 1: A quick intro to using Low Bridge POI
Step 2: Checklist
of software and equipment needed
Step 3: Using tomtom HOME and choosing the Low Bridge POI
Files
Step 4: Starting the tomtom and checking new files are
installed
Step 5: Using the tomtom to find the Low Bridges on your
routes
Step 6: Using the tomtom to avoid Low Bridges on your
route
Installing Other Transport Data
STEP 1: A quick intro to using Low Bridge POI
There are 6 easy steps to using this Landis Media
Ltd – Fleet and Low Bridge Data Download with your tomtom. If you get stuck
then refer to the TROUBLESHOOTING section on the download.
This first step
introduces you to using Low Bridge POI data and an overview of the system in use.
Make sure you read this step because the background given will help you decide
which POI files you will need later. We give two EXAMPLES to demonstrate how in practice Low Bridge POI warnings
work.
NOTE: The maps below are just for
illustration purposes and not taken from a tomtom unit. You can see similar
style maps on your tomtom device and this is demonstrated later.
Example 1: You have a 15ft 4inch cab height and your vehicle
can’t fit under the 14ft 7inch
Step By Step follow what happens on the picture above:
You follow the route
that the tomtom has planned (shown by the BLUE arrows)
You are 2km from the
Bridge at Point 1 – you hear and see
the POI alert for the All_Low_Bridges_Data POI
This warning tells you
that a bridge is coming up and that you need to listen out carefully for
further warnings over the next 2 KM. You continue to drive
You are 1.5km from the
Bridge at Point 2 – you hear and see
15ft 4inch Low Bridge POI warning (for your cab height). You know your vehicle
won’t fit under the Bridge ahead and that you will need to choose a new route.
You choose an
alternative route using the tomtom (shown by the RED arrows) and divert off the
old route at Nut Hill roundabout. This takes you down
You rejoin the planned
main route (BLUE arrows) at Griggs Hill and continue your journey as planned.
Example 2: You are now in a truck with a 13ft 2inch cab
height. You can easily fit under the 14ft 7inch
Step By Step follow what happens on the picture
above:
You are 2km from the
Bridge at Point 1 – you hear and see
the POI alert for the All_Low_Bridges_Data POI
This warning tells you
that a bridge is coming up and that you need to listen out carefully for
further warnings over the next 2 KM. You continue to drive
You are now 1.5km from
the Bridge at Point 2 – this time
you don’t hear or see any warning, why not ? Your cab
height isn this example is 13ft 2inches and so will
fit easily under the 14ft 7inch railway bridge ahead. Since you don’t hear any
warning you can keep driving confidently following the planned route (Blue
arrows)
You are now 100m from
the Bridge at Point 3 – you then
hear and see the Alert_Low_Bridge_Close POI warning. This tells you that you
are 100m away from the Bridge and should reduce speed
This warning is used as
a safety feature in case of fog, bad road conditions, corners or temporary
bridge height reductions (local council put scaffolding up)
You drive under the
bridge and continue on your planned route
USER TIP: These examples show that just 3 POI files contain all
the information needed to avoid every
Step 2: Checklist of software and equipment needed
Please make sure that
you have the following;
A PC laptop or desktop
running Windows XP
TomTom device (whichever
model you use) charged up
USB cable to connect the
tomtom device to the PC
The LANDIS MEDIA Ltd -
Fleet &
A note of your UNLOADED
cab height
You need the latest copy of TomTom HOME software
installed on your PC. TomTom HOME is tomtom’s update
program that runs on your PC and makes sure everything is up to date. It also
makes backups and installing and removing POIs easy.
Even if you already have
TomTom HOME installed, make sure that it’s at least Version 1.5 It can be downloaded it from here; http://www.tomtom.com/plus/service.php?ID=17
.
Download the TomTom HOME
software, save onto your desktop and then run the installer. If you have any
problems please contact TOMTOM directly who will help. If you use a version of
TomTom HOME that came on the disk you bought with your tomtom, we still suggest
checking you have Version 1.5
When you first start
TomTom HOME and you haven’t used it before – you may get a number of update
windows and requests. This is normal see our TROUBLESHOOTING section for
details. Finally please ensure you use TomTom HOME to make a backup – should
anything go wrong then you can always restore.
Step
3: Using tomtom HOME and choosing the Low Bridge
Connect your tomtom
device using the USB cable to your PC and then turn it on.
Make sure that you have
UNZIPPED the
If you choose to unzip
to another location you will have to locate wherever you placed the contents
yourself when prompted by the BROWSE box in later steps. For this manual we will
assume you have unzipped to the C: drive.
Now start up TomTom HOME
– it may auto start or you may have to start it.
Click on Explore 
icon (highlighted in
blue below) to connect your tomtom device to the software.
The example shown here
uses a tomtom 700 – your units number will be shown if different. Your contents
in the windows may also differ, depending on what you have installed.
LOCATE THE
To locate the Low Bridge
POI data files on your hardisk (C: drive) where you
unzipped them earlier – click the File menu and select Preferences
The Preferences Window will open up as shown below
Please click on the Advanced TAB – (it turns green when
selected) and the windows content changes
Now carefully click on
the BROWSE button next to the line
that says Extra Content:
a Browse For Folder window will now open up
You will use this window
to locate the “Extra Content:” in this case its Low
Bridges Data POIs and later on the Transport Data POIs.
Click inside this window
on My Computer (you can expand its contents using the + sign to its left)
Now click on the
Now click on the Low_Bridges_Data folder that’s inside the
Finally check all these
details and then click OK
NOTE: In our picture we have
used C: drive. You can of course use any location but please if you do know
what you are doing. When you first see this screen the contents of My Computer,
Fleet & Low Bridge and other folders may be “wrapped up” – to expand them
just use the + sign that’s next to the folder to see its contents.
If you selected the
correct folder a long list of Low Bridge POIs will now appear in the middle
window of TomTom HOME.
As explained in Step 1: you will only have to install 3
The third and final POI file needs to be chosen from the list of 85
different
SPECIAL
NOTE:
You only need your cab height – the
Alert and All Low Bridge POI contain every
The example below shows
a selected Cab Height of 13ft 2inch with the Alert and
Check the Green Arrow at
the top indicates 3 Items (these are -
Once you have completed
installing these three POIs, close down TomTom HOME. Turn OFF your tomtom
device and unplug the USB cable.
Step 4: Starting the tomtom and checking new files are installed
NOTE: In this section are
actual SCREENSHOTS from the tomtom device and these show
Version 6 of the tomtom software. Where necessary we illustrate the entire
screen, however in other places we just use the ICON you need to click.
Turn on the tomtom
device – it may take a little while to start (a blue and yellow line and the
words wait may also appear). This is perfectly normal the tomtom is loading up
the new software and POI you have added, just be patient, it can take up to 2
minutes if you have updated the tomtom firmware.
CHECKING LOW BRIDGE POI HAVE BEEN INSTALLED CORRECTLY
From the tomtom
front/start screen – click to get the Main
Menu 1 of 3 Screen
Select Change Preferences option and go to the
Preferences 1 of 7 screen
Select the Enable/
disable POIs option
The POI category screen shows a list of installed POIs, check for the just
installed Low Bridge POIs.
Typically they will
appear at the top of the list, if not then scroll through to locate them.
Ensure all new POIs have a TICK
beside them and any other POI you want to use. When ready click Done
SETUP LOW BRIDGE WARNINGS AND ALERTS
YOU now need to setup
the warnings/alerts that flash the screen and sound an alert when you near a
From the start screen –
click into Main Menu 1 of 3
then into Preferences
1 of 7 screen. Now use the right arrow 
to move through the Preferences screens to Preferences
2 of 7 screen.
Now click on Manage POIs which will take you to the Manage POIs screen
Click now on 'Warn
when near POI' 
you
will be prompted to choose the POI category you want a warning for. In this
example we choose the Cab Height POI ( 13ft 2in in our
example below)
Once selected the Warn when closer than: screen option
opens up. Warning distances from the POI are setup here. In the case of the Cab
Height POI (whatever its height) this will be 1500 metres, just enter this,
when completed click DONE.
USER TIP: As you get used to this
system you may decide to “tune” these warning distances for your own personal
preference. For now just use the values suggested here until you get the hang
of things.
Finally make sure the “Warn only if POI is on route” box is
ticked. This makes sure that you don’t get an incorrect warning for a
SPECIAL
NOTE:
If you have setup these POI warnings on the tomtom before – you will be used to
choosing a warning sound ? In tests with drivers we
found the default bells, whistles, klaxons etc didn’t help people remember
their meanings. Landis Media Ltd have now improved the
system by replacing these noises with real spoken voice warnings which clearly
inform you what’s happening.
You need to repeat the
above steps from 'Warn when near POI' and
set warnings for both of the other Low Bridge POIs. The only difference will be
that the warning distances vary, rather than 1500m they should be set at:
“WARN WHEN CLOSER THAN:”
100m
“WARN WHEN CLOSER THAN:” 2000m
Step 5: Using the tomtom to find the Low Bridges on your routes
What all drivers want is
to locate any Low Bridges on their planned route, with the heights and locations
so they can plan to avoid them. So our drivers agree that the single most
useful feature is being given a list of bridges on the route, with heights and
being able to zoom in on their location. Whether they use a map or the tomtom
to re-plan the route this is the “must have” feature.
To use this feature
select the route planning option from the Main
Menu 1 of 3 Screen and click on the 'Navigate
to' icon. Choose a route as per normal – but pause when
you reach the route summary screen (shown below). Instead of clicking “Done” as you would normally, click “Details” instead.
On the
On the screen above
click “Find” then on the next screen
select the Point Of Interest you
want to find
This will take you to
the following screen “Find…” where
you select “POI along route”
A list of categories will
appear. If at first you see only a few of them use the right arrow to see the full list like that shown below.
Scroll through the list and select the POI you want to see on your planned
route, the two useful POI are
Select this POI to see every
Select this POI of Cab Height (example 13ft
2in) to see Low Bridges of the Cab Height or lower. These are in fact all the
Low Bridges that you will have to avoid
Whatever Low Bridge POI
you choose you will then get a route summary with all the Low Bridges and their
heights (in metres and feet) shown in a list
Drivers find this screen
extremely useful because the heights of every bridge on route is shown as well
as being able to click on a bridge and see the a map
and location. A quick note on what the icons to the left of the descriptions
mean:
= Low Bridge POI is on your route
= Low Bridge POI is near to your route and a small
diversion will reach it
= Low Bridge POI is not on your route, a large
diversion will be needed to reach it
Only the straight green
arrows will
directly cause a problem, as they are
Depending on the last “zoom” you used will depend on the scale you see. You can use
the “zoom” bar slider on the right to “zoom” into the chosen Low Bridge POI as
needed
All the info about the
USER TIP: When planning a complex
route its sometimes easier to turn off all the POI you
won’t be using for planning. This can make seeing the
Step
6: Using the tomtom to avoid Low Bridges on
This method is very
useful for avoiding Low Bridges on your route as you are driving. As you
approach a
USER TIP: Some drivers turn off
at the next major road when they hear this warning. This is surprisingly
effective and an easy way to avoid bridges. The tomtom calculates a new route
almost immediately and this generally avoids the bridge. This is of course not
foolproof but is worth mentioning as many drivers use this method. The tomtom
is very effective and not telling you to “turn round” and will normally select a new road.
The “proper” technique below is actually useful in a number of
situations.
Perhaps you need to avoid the
Perhaps a route has been planned that you're not happy
with?
Perhaps you have been routed via a busy junction?
Perhaps you spot road works up ahead?
Perhaps you really wanted to go 'via' one particular
location?
When you hear the Cab
Height warning (Point 2 in STEP 1: ) this means you must divert from the planned route
because you will not fit under the
Click into “Main
Menu 1” and select the “Find
Alternative “icon which opens
This
is a very useful screen, the option we will be using here is the 'Avoid
roadblock' 
click it
SPECIAL
NOTE:
To save time (when you're driving), there are four presets for “Avoid Roadblock”. You estimate how far
ahead the “Blockage” is, then select the relevant option '100m', '500m',
'2000m' or '5000m' . This diverts you
off the planned route to a point ahead of the chosen distance avoiding the
“roadblock” in the middle.
Since the
Cab Height warning is set at 1500m (1.5km) from the
USER TIP: After
choosing the roadblock option, look for a “turn off” almost immediately. If you
continue into what is the 'blocked' area you may have to use 'Find
alternative...' and then 'Avoid roadblock' again, to recalculate
taking into account your new position.
Installing Other Transport Data
This is a very simple
task – make sure that you have read through Steps 3 to 4. You will follow almost exactly the same steps used to
install Low Bridge POIs onto your tomtom.
Go to Step3: and under the sub heading LOCATE THE LOW BRIDGE POI FILES follow the
instructions until you get to the point where you Browse For Folder. Here you will select the “Transport-Data” folder
instead of the “Low_Bridges_Data” folder. The correct
selection is shown below
The text by the Folder:
box needs to show “Transport_Data” rather than “Low_Bridges_Data”
Click OK and the Transport
Data will load and replace the
These like the Low
Bridge POIs appear in the middle window. Just follow the same Install procedure
used for Low Bridges. Select the POI you require by clicking the small box on
the left and turning it grey. When you have selected the ones you want click
the Install arrow (in the example we show all 17 items being installed).
As with Low Bridge POI
you can check the right hand window to see all the POI now on your tomtom.
There should be 3 Low Bridge POI from earlier and the new transport POIs just
installed. When completed, exit TomTom HOME, turn off the device and unplug the
USB cable.
Turn on the tomtom and
repeat Steps 5: Sub heading CHECKING LOW BRIDGES HAVE
BEEN INSTALLED, of course this time you will make sure that the new
transport POI you just added have ticks next to them.
You can any time you
want turn POIs on and off using this icon. You can also install POI from this
list whenever you want, as well as swapping back to the other
Troubleshooting
We have an extensive troubleshooting guide on the download.
It covers more complex queries such as ;
My TomTom HOME looks
different to your how do I know what version I am using ?
I Loaded up TomTom HOME
but I get lots of strange messages about updates and things like that and cant
get past them ?
My TomTom has frozen
while trying to connect it to TomTom HOME what can I do ?
What version of the
TomTom software am I using / my TomTom looks different to the screenshots in
the manual why is this ?
I am a contract driver
and drive many different height vehicles what do I do ?
Why cant I get special
voice warnings for the Other Transport POIs ?
Where can I get some
more POI from you ?
How can I plan
alternative routes with the TomTom to avoid bridges rather than using the roadblock ?
Where do I get my
I use TomTom Navigator –
I can’t use TomTom HOME with this what do I do ?
What do I do when I need
to update my Low Bridge POIs ?
How do I uninstall/delete or backup my
POI ?
I like my distances in
metres/yards – how do I swap this over ?
I am used to the “old”
method of installing POIs using .OV2 and .BMP files what should I do ?
If you have a more
complex query or are getting stuck at a particular point we would suggest that
you try this section first for help. You can always contact us at helpdesk@tomtompoi.net