Hello, this is the Customer Success team at GeoTechnologies Inc.
As we receive various questions daily at the MapFan API support desk, we often realize, "We could have explained this more clearly..."
Therefore, we've looked back at the questions received in the second half of fiscal year 2025 and compiled the TOP 3 most frequently asked questions.
We hope this will be helpful to you.
#3: "Which road information can be obtained from which API?" — Road Information Acquisition Guide
Q. Questions we received:
"Which API can I use to get gradient and number of lanes?"
"I want to obtain elevation values and intersection names from latitude and longitude..."
"Where can I get speed limit information?"
"Can I get the elevation of bridges over water?"
MapFan API provides various APIs to obtain road information, but the question "Which road information can be obtained from which API?" ranked third.
A. Road Information Available from MapFan API
MapFan API can retrieve various types of road information.
In this article, we'll introduce the following frequently asked about data:
- 🏔️ Road Elevation
- 🛣️ Number of Lanes
- 🚗 Speed Limit
- 🚦 Intersection Names
🏔️ Road Elevation
Available API: Route Search API (calcroute) with elevation option
How to obtain:
- Execute a route search by specifying the origin and destination
- Set the elevation parameter
Response format: Latitude/longitude and elevation values are returned as a set after the route search information
Important notes:
✅ An optional contract is required
⚠️ Road elevation values cannot be obtained for points without route shape points, such as straight sections
⚠️ Elevation values cannot be obtained for all roads (e.g., when elevation data maintenance is not completed)
⚠️ Due to data quality, incorrect steep gradients (30% or more) may be returned (approximately 0.1% overall)
🌉 Bridge Elevation
✅ When route shape points are assigned on the bridge:
→ Elevation values at those points can be obtained
⚠️ For bridges without route shape points:
→ If you want to obtain elevation values near the center of the bridge, you need to perform proportional calculations using the elevation values at the bridge entrance and exit
*Please note that the calculated elevation values may differ from actual elevation values
🛣️ Number of Lanes
Available API: matching API
How to obtain: Input GPS trajectory data and execute matching
🚗 Speed Limit
Available API: matching API
How to obtain: Input GPS trajectory data and execute matching
🚦 Intersection Names
Intersection names can be obtained when they are available in the data.
However, obtaining intersection names is somewhat complex, with multiple methods, each having its own considerations.
Method 1: matching API ⭐ Recommended
- Condition: GPS trajectory must pass through the intersection
- Note: Cannot be obtained with a single GPS coordinate
Method 2: Route Search API (calcroute)
- Condition: Must create a route that passes through the intersection
Method 3: nearroadinfo API
- Advantage: Can be obtained with a single latitude/longitude point near the intersection
- Note: May not be obtainable if road links are divided into small segments before the intersection
⛰️ [Supplement] Gradient
MapFan API cannot directly obtain gradient information.
Alternative method:
Based on the elevation values of route shape points, you can simply calculate the gradient by determining how many meters you ascend over a distance from shape point A to shape point B.
*Please note that the calculated gradient may differ from the actual gradient.
📚 How to check detailed specifications of each API
Details about "which API has what specifications" are documented in the MapFan API Technical Specifications.
Downloading the MapFan API Technical Specifications:
- Current subscribers: From 'Downloads' on MapFan Developers Support *Account and login required
- Non-subscribers: From 'Download the specifications' on the GeoTechnologies official website
💬 From the Support Team:
We can provide individual consultations on optimal API selection based on your actual operational scenarios.
If you have questions such as:
- "I want to confirm if this usage is correct"
- "I want to obtain this information, but I don't know how"
Please feel free to contact our support team anytime.
✅ Summary: The Support Team is on your side
The content introduced today consists of actual questions we've received from many customers.
You may have thought, "I wonder if it's okay to ask about something like this..." but please feel free to contact us with any question, no matter how small.
The Support Team will do everything we can to support you in using MapFan API smoothly.
Check out the other top questions:
#1: "Tell me about Authentication IDs and API Keys" – カスタマーサクセスサイト
#2: "What is the Third-Level Genre Code?" – カスタマーサクセスサイト