How to ensure MAP&GUIDE and xServers return equal results?

[Bernd Welter]

Hi there,

every once in a while users compare the output of various PTV software products such as
- MAP&GUIDE Internet (here)
- MAP&GUIDE Desktop (here)
- TLN Planner (here)
- xServer Internet 1(here, tomtom)
- xServer Internet 2 (here)
and want to know how to make the results compareable, typically
- routing driving times
- distances
- toll prices

Let me use this thread to collect the prequisites and other valuable information to provide optimal information at a central space.
One first info:
It is possible to export a routing profile from MAP&GUIDE INTERNET for later use in xRoute (admin forum: requires you to be logged in)

Prerequisites
Check whether both products are based on the same subsystem:

• MAP&GUIDE Desktop is based on MapServer
• MAP&GUIDE Internet (MGI) and TLN Planner are based on xServer 1 with HERE maps (1.3.2021)
• xRoute 1:1 routing with 1:N
• xRoute 1:1 Conventional with HighPerformanceRouting

So in my eyes comparing MGI with xServer makes sense. On the other hand comparing MG Desktop with xServer probably leads to differences due to the engines (and how they are configured). In some cases the cause for the differenes is the routing algorithm itself. That's a bit too much science to handle it in the forum

So next level is the data itself:
Do both products use the same data? This means
- same map provider (TOMTOM versus HERE)
- same map version (e.g. 2020.1 versus 2019.1)
- same map detail level : "Europe City Premium" (detailed) versus "Europe" (transit)
- same additional map content (TruckAttributes, TollUpdates, ...)

Now it is time to look at ther function call itself:
- are the same coordinates in use
- the same routing profiles
- the same timestamps (e.g. toll tarifs could differ due to "when did you call the service?")
- Update 1.3.2021: Another important topic is the newly invented detailed toll which has been set to standard in xServer2 in v2.22 (december 2020). The Detailed Toll is more precise than the old Standard toll, e.g. it has an improved handling of time dependent toll.

If you ensured that all these values are compareable and the results still differ get in touch with your primary technical consultant at PTV and we will explore the cause for the gaps.

Best regards,
Bernd

[Bernd Welter]

added this:

- Update 1.3.2021: Another important topic is the newly invented detailed toll which has been set to standard in xServer2 in v2.22 (december 2020). The Detailed Toll is more precise than the old Standard toll, e.g. it has an improved handling of time dependent toll.