ArcGIS Network Analyst

and the Network Dataset

Patrick Demer
ESRI - Boston
 Agenda
• Network Analyst
• Network Dataset
• Demos
 ArcGIS Network Analyst

• Everything in ArcView GIS 3x and more

– Routing
– Directions
– Network Analysis
• Tight Integration with Geoprocessing
– Models and Scripting
– ArcToolbox tools
• New Network Dataset
– Core Geodatabase enhancement
 ArcGIS Network Analyst
• Network Analyst object model
– Extensible, support for custom applications
• Migration path for existing software
– Workstation Arc/Info Network
– NetEngine
– ArcLogistics Route
– ArcIMS RouteServer
• Framework for future development
– New solvers
– New Network Dataset enhancements
 ArcGIS Network Analyst
Integration and Migration

Arc Workstation
Arc Network module
ArcEngine
ArcGIS Server
ArcView GIS 3.x
Network Analyst extension

ArcGIS 9.1
Network Analyst
Extension
NetEngine
Continued Network
Analysis Functionality
ArcLogistics

ArcIMS
 ArcGIS Network Analyst (Desktop)
• ArcMap
– Interactive toolbar and dialogs
• ArcCatalog
– Dialogs and wizards
• Geoprocessing
– Modeling and scripting
– Toolbox
• Network Dataset
– Supports Shapefiles, PGDB, SDE, and SDC
• Network Analyst Solvers
– Pathfinding and allocation algorithms
– Extensible via ArcObjects
 Network Extension (Server and Engine)
• ArcGIS Server
– Network Extension
– Centralized computing solution
– Internet and Intranet support
– Enterprise computing environment
– Scaleable and IT compliant
• ArcGIS Engine
– Network Extension
– Embeddable components
– Lightweight applications
 Network Analyst Solvers
• Routing
– Multi-point routing (time windows supported on stops)
• Closest Facility
– Fixed and mobile asset routing
– Emergency response
• Driving Directions
– Expandable inset maps
– Auto generation capability
• Service Areas
– Complex polygon generation
– Allocation across networks
• OD Cost Matrix
– Origin and destination calculations, spatial interaction
– Custom algorithm support
Goal: Model Real World Networks

multi-modal network support

 Goal: Model Real World Networks

A
Streets

Subway
Light Rail

multi-modal network support

Network Dataset
 Network Dataset
• New network model
• Enhanced modeling capabilities
– turns / maneuvers, multi-modal networks
– advanced attribute (weight) model
• Borrows concepts from topology
– dirty areas and incremental build
• Works with Network Analyst extension
 Network Dataset

• Built from simple features

– no special features like Geometric
Network
• Features participation:
– may also participate in a topology
– may participate in either a network
dataset or geometric network
 Network Dataset
• Supports Shapefiles
– Direct use of shapefiles
• Supports Personal Geodatabase
– Desktop users
• Supports Enterprise Geodatabase
– Large Networks
– Multi-user server environments
– Scalable
• Supports direct reading of SDC
 Network Sources
• Line features
– define one or more edge elements
• Point features
– define junction elements
– Required for multi-modal network
• Turn features
– define turn elements in network
– explicitly models subset of possible transitions between
edge elements during navigation
– unspecified transitions assigned default turn attribute
value
– From-To Node tables are not supported
 Turn Features

• Turns are features

– Simple line feature class
– Model a turn as a sequence of
any number of connected lines
• Turns do not alter
connectivity, but
traversability 5
7

– e.g., U-turn restriction

3
2
4

1
 Turn Features

• Simple two-part turns

• N-part turns
• Restrictions
– based on vehicle characteristics
– legal restrictions
• Default turn penalties
– part of the network attribute model
• “All U-turns are restricted”
• “All left turns cost 30 seconds”
 Connectivity Model

• Controls how features are connected

• Simple rules-based approach
• User defines connectivity model
– used when the network is built and the
connectivity is updated
• Connectivity is consumed by tools
implementing analysis algorithms
 Connectivity Model

• Supports definition of multi-modal networks

– ocean freighter, rail, and road network
– road, highway, subway, and bus network
– water, sewer, and stormwater network
• Two typical usage patterns
– endpoint elevation – simplest (ArcView 3.X)
– midspan / multi-modal – extending the GN
model with connectivity groups
 Endpoint Elevation

• Easiest to use
– algorithmically simple for analysis
– used in ArcView 3.x Network Analyst
• Connectivity only at endpoints
• Think of elevation as a logical
connectivity group rather than a
true z elevation
 Midspan / Multi-modal

• Endpoint and mid-span connectivity

supported
– complex edge feature model
• Line classes assigned to a single group
– any number of groups permissible
– connectivity only within a group
• Point classes assigned to any number
of groups
– can be used to fuse groups together
 Point Feature Connectivity

• Point classes may span multiple

connectivity groups
– used to create connectivity between
lines in different groups
Connectivity
Group 2

Connectivity
Group 1
 Attributes

• Control navigation through the network

• May be used to accumulate information
• Associated with network elements
– “similar” to weights in a geometric network
• All elements have the same set of attributes
• Edge elements are directed
– attributes defined for the edge in either direction
 Attribute Types

• Cost – accumulated as you traverse a network

element (e.g., distance, travel time)
• Descriptor – true for the entire length of the
element (e.g., material type)
• Restriction –like a boolean condition (e.g., no
travel on one-way roads)
• Hierarchy – three level classification of edge
elements; e.g., 1 = highway
2 = major road
3 = surface street
 Evaluators

• Return the value of an attribute for a

network element
• Three provided:
– Constant
– Field
– VBScript
• Custom evaluators can be written by
third parties
Network Dataset vs. Geometric Network

Network Dataset Geometric Network

transportation utilities/natural resources
modeling modeling
pathfinding & allocation network tracing
operations functionality
turns supported turns not supported
uses simple features: uses custom features:
points and lines simple/complex edge features
and junctions
more robust attribute weights based on
(weight) model feature attributes
user controls when system managed
connectivity is built connectivity
 Network Dataset Summary

• Motivated by transportation industry

• Contain edges, junctions, and turns
• Connectivity re-established at user-
controlled times
• Multi-modal connectivity models
• Richer attribute model
• Features may participate in a topology
• Shapefile support
• Requires network analyst extension
ON TO THE DEMOS