What to expect with Truck Routing

Question

This is a weird and very general question, but I don't know who else to ask so anyone with feedback is welcome and appreciated!! I'm trying to convert Bing Maps Enterprise to Azure Maps, and I'm a little concerned. The truck route that Azure is spitting out is totally different than the truck route that Bing gives me, with the same way points and parameters provided. For example, a truck route from Mississippi up to Idaho and back to Alabama is 3873 miles in Bing and 5141 miles in Azure. I know they are different providers and Azure takes different units of measurement than Bing does, but that's a big difference. Is this what I can and should expect - that the routing could be so different? I would have expected them to be more similar, so I'm trying to do a sanity check here before I really go down the troubleshooting rabbit hole. Thank you again!

Answer 1

Hello Larissa Taylor,

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A and thank you for posting your questions here.

I understand that you are trying to convert Bing Maps Enterprise to Azure Maps and the truck route that Azure is spitting out is totally different than the truck route that Bing gives you.

It's natural to be concerned when you notice a significant difference in routing results between Bing Maps Enterprise and Azure Maps. Here are some important points to keep in mind:

1. Bing Maps and Azure Maps rely on distinct algorithms and data sources for routing. This can result in variations in the routes they calculate, particularly for complex routes like those used by trucks. - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-maps/migrate-bing-maps-overview
2. Make sure all routing parameters are correctly configured in Azure Maps. Factors such as vehicle dimensions, cargo type, and restrictions (like avoiding tolls or ferries) can greatly influence the route that is calculated. - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-maps/migrate-calculate-truck-route
3. Azure Maps allows you to specify a geographic scope, which can impact routing. Ensure that the geographic scope is set appropriately for your needs. - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-maps/migrate-calculate-truck-route
4. There are notable differences between the truck routing APIs of Bing Maps and Azure Maps. For instance, Azure Maps supports up to 150 waypoints per request, whereas Bing Maps supports a maximum of 25. This could affect the route calculation if your route includes many waypoints. - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-maps/migrate-calculate-truck-route
5. Given the significant mileage difference, it’s worth double-checking the waypoints and parameters used in both services to ensure they are identical. Small discrepancies in input can lead to large differences in output.

If you continue to experience large discrepancies, it might be beneficial to contact Microsoft support for more detailed assistance.

I hope this is helpful! Do not hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions.

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