Quick start: location → source → scan → report¶
Goal: Set up a minimal data pipeline from a physical site to a viewable report.
Time: ~30–45 minutes (first time)
Requires: Engineer or admin authority (Sources, Scans, Reports). A running RD Analytics instance and at least one video file or stream to attach as a source.

This guide walks through the core workflow in the order shown in the application sidebar: Locations → Sources → Scans → Reports.
Tip
Merging is optional and used when you need to combine outputs from multiple scans. Skip it for this quick start.
Before you begin¶
- Sign in to RD Analytics (see Sign in and sign out).
- Confirm you see Locations, Sources, Scans, and Reports in the sidebar. If not, see User roles and access.
- Have a sample video file ready (or a configured stream URL), and note a name for your demo site (for example,
Demo Site).
Step 1 — Create a location¶
A Location represents a physical or logical site (for example, a junction or facility). Sources are associated with locations.
- Open Locations in the sidebar.
- Create a new location (use Add or the create action on the list page).
- Enter a Name (for example,
Demo Site) and fill required fields. - Save the location.
Verify: The location appears in the Locations list and opens on the details page when selected.
Step 2 — Add a source and upload media¶
A Source is a video input tied to your deployment (file upload, stream, or type-specific configuration).
- Open Sources in the sidebar.
- Create a new source and assign it to the location from Step 1.
- Complete source-specific fields (type, name, connection details as required).
- If the source type uses file media, open the source Details page and use the Files tab (
/sources/{id}?tab=files) to upload your sample video. - Wait for upload and processing indicators to finish before continuing.
Verify: The source appears in the Sources list with the correct location. The Files tab shows your uploaded media when applicable.
Step 3 — Create and configure a scan¶
A Scan defines how video is analyzed (geometry, settings, and processing). You can open scans from the global Scans list or from a source.
- Open Scans in the sidebar (or open your source and select the Scans tab).
- Create a new scan linked to your source.
- Open the scan configuration workspace (
/sources/{sourceId}/scans/{scanId}). - Review Scan settings (schema-driven fields for your pipeline).
- In the Geometry editor, draw or adjust lines, areas, or zones on the video frame as required by your use case.
- Use the video player and timeline to confirm the frame and time range look correct.
- Set scan status to PENDING when configuration is ready, then start processing when prompted.
Verify: Scan status moves through QUEUED / PROCESSING to COMPLETED. If status is FAILED, open the error hint on the list or see Scan failed and video preview.
Step 4 — View and build a report¶
Reports display widgets (tables, charts, filters) backed by scan data.
- Open Reports in the sidebar.
- Create a new report or open an existing one.
- Open Report details (
/reports/{id}/details) to set metadata (name, linked scans, and related options). - Open the report view (
/reports/{id}/view). - Set filters and the time range if the report provides them.
- Select Apply to load widget data.
- To change layout: enter edit mode, add widgets by type (table, chart, image scan, and others), then Save the layout.
Verify: After Apply, data widgets show values for your completed scan and selected time range.
What you built¶
flowchart LR
LOC[Location] --> SRC[Source]
SRC --> SCAN[Scan]
SCAN --> RPT[Report]
| Entity | Role in this guide |
|---|---|
| Location | Where the source is deployed |
| Source | Video input and media |
| Scan | Analysis configuration and processing |
| Report | Visualization and export of results |
Next steps¶
- Configure scan geometry in depth
- Edit report layout and widgets
- Class groups — map detector classes to report labels (admins)
- Glossary
Troubleshooting¶
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Missing sidebar items | Check User roles and access |
| Upload fails | Confirm disk space and file format; retry from Files tab |
| Scan stays FAILED | See Scan failed and video preview |
| Report shows no data | Confirm scan COMPLETED, time range includes processed data, then Apply |
| Yellow bar: real-time disconnected | See Real-time connection disconnected |