Geocoding and distance calculation data providers

To use both geocoding and distance calculations, you must decide on the data provider(s) you want to use. Data providers implemented as Web Services require internet connectivity while you are geocoding. Once the data is populated in your tables, the internet connection is not required.

The information returned from geocoding is dependent on the geocoding data provider(s) you select. You can select one or more providers to search for valid data.

The following table summarizes the available data providers.

Geocoding data provider Description
Bing Web Service

Bing is a transactional geocoding service provided by Microsoft that is useful in address and feature searches. It can also be used for distance calculation and calculating detailed paths.

When calculating distance with Bing, the route is calculated to minimize the time (fastest route). Traffic information is not used.
Baidu

The Baidu service is specifically useful for sites in China. You can use Baidu for geocoding, distance calculation and calculate detailed paths.

When calculating distance with Baidu, it does not use high speed and it looks to reduce toll charges.
PTV XServer Internet

You can use PTV XServer Internet for geocoding, distance calculation and calculating detailed paths. PTV XServer Internet is also an isoline provider for Service Area Map layers.

When using PTV X Server Internet for distance calculation, it is weighted to use the fastest (as compared to shortest) route. For Matrix routing, the TruckFast default is used.
PC*Miler PC*MILER is routing, mileage and mapping software by ALK Technologies, Inc. If installed and licensed, it provides accurate geocoding, routing, and distance calculation for the Region specified in Application Settings. If you have PC*MILER and PC*MILER|Connect installed, it will be recognized as a valid provider.
Mapbox You can use Mapbox for geocoding, distance calculation and calculating detailed paths.
T map

You can use T map for geocoding, distance calculation, and generating detailed paths for locations in Japan. T map is meant to be used with local language(s), such as Japanese. As a result, addresses in English may not return results.

When calculating distance with T map, the default of "Passenger Car" is used.
Zenrin

You can use Zenrin for geocoding, distance calculation, and generating detailed paths for locations in Japan. Zenrin is meant to be used with local language(s), such as Japanese. As a result, addresses in English may not return results.

When calculating distance with Zenrin, the default of "Ordinary passenger car" is used.
Straight Line Plus Circuity

Rather than calling a data provider, Straight Line Plus Circuity performs calculations based on the origin and destination latitude and longitude values. Once a base distance is calculated, the Transportation Circuity Factor defined in Model Settings is applied to determine the final distance.

See Straight line plus circuity distance calculation for detailed calculation information.

Straight line plus circuity distance calculation

When you use Straight Line Plus Circuity as the method to calculate distance and travel time, calculations are performed based on the Latitude and Longitude values of the source and destination locations. These calculations return a base distance. The value populated in Transportation Circuity Factor in Model Settings is then applied to the base distance to determine the final distance.

The distance calculation is performed using miles, then converted (if necessary) to the distance unit of measure defined for the model in Model Settings.

The straight line plus circuity distance calculation is as follows:

  1. Calculate distance in miles:

    1. Convert the origin Latitude and Longitude to radians

    2. Convert the destination Latitude and Longitude to radians

    3. Calculate A = SIN(origin.Latitude) * SIN(destination.Latitude)

    4. Calculate B = ABS(origin.Longitude - destination.Longitude)

    5. Calculate C = COS(origin.Latitude) * COS(destination.Latitude) * COS(B)

    6. Calculate D = A + C

    7. Calculate DistanceInMiles = 3959 * ACOS(D)
      If the DistanceInMiles is found to be NaN (Not a Number), 0 is returned for the distance in miles

  2. If (circuityFactor > 0) then
    DistanceInMiles = DistanceInMiles * (1 + (circuityFactor / 100))

  3. The DistanceInMiles is converted to the model's base distance unit of measure and rounded to 2 places

3959 is the earth's radius in miles.

Last modified: Wednesday May 15, 2024

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