Dec 05 2009
Vector Maps vs Raster Maps
A vector map is a database that describes the road network, i.e. the information needed for a route planning system to ‘know’ how to find the route through a road system.
Example of vector map
A raster map is a picture. This gives only image information and can not be used for computerised planning tools in any useful way. The only applications that can have a meaningful usage of raster maps is the Tracking system that can use them to display vehicles and a vehicle scheduling system to put co-ordinates on customers manually by pointing in the map. The solution providers on the market are doing their best to confuse the user in this case. There are actually vehicle scheduling systems on the market using raster maps, which means that the system shows a good looking map with roads, coastlines, mountains etc, but cannot actually provide any useful vehicle scheduling calculations beyond ‘crow-fly’ distances.
Example of raster map
