This project is a modern MVP web application for visualizing and comparing shortest routes on a road network using React, Leaflet, GeoServer, and a Node.js backend powered by PostgreSQL/PostGIS/pgRouting.

• Interactive map with OpenStreetMap basemap
• Road network and shortest path layers from GeoServer (WMS)
• Select start and end points on the map
• Calculate shortest route using both Dijkstra and A* algorithms
• Visual comparison of Dijkstra and A* results (distance, edge count)
• Modern UI with responsive design, loading spinner, and route details panel

1. Backend: Start the Node.js backend in backend/ (node index.js).
2. Frontend: Start the React app in frontend/ (npm start).
3. GeoServer: Ensure GeoServer is running and WMS layers (network:grid_lines, network:mv_short_path, network:mv_astar_path) are published.
4. Database: PostgreSQL with PostGIS and pgRouting must be set up for network data.

• Click "Select Start" and choose a start point on the map.
• Click "Select End" and choose an end point.
• Click "Calculate Route" to compute and display shortest paths using both algorithms.
• View route details and comparison in the panel on the map.

• Node.js, npm
• GeoServer with published WMS layers
• PostgreSQL/PostGIS/pgRouting
• React and Leaflet for frontend mapping
• Express for backend API

For details on shortest path calculation using PostgreSQL, PostGIS, and pgRouting, see postgresql_postgis_pgrouting_shortest_path_pipeline.md.

Below is a sequence diagram illustrating the shortest route calculation process in general:

• Ensure CORS is handled properly between frontend and backend.
• Adjust GeoServer WMS URLs as needed for your setup.
• This MVP can be extended with more algorithms, advanced UI, and error handling.