Create the LRS, networks, events, and intersections—ArcGIS Pro

Available with Location Referencing license.

The following information guides you through the process of linear referenced data modeling, loading, and route editing using the ArcGIS Roads and Highways extension.

LRS dataset

A linear referencing system (LRS) dataset is a feature dataset containing all the LRS feature classes.

Note:

You can view the LRS hierarchy from either the Contents or Catalog panes.

The following tools create an LRS dataset, as of ArcGIS Pro 2.3:

Create LRS—The newly created centerline, calibration point, and redline feature classes will be created inside a feature dataset with the same name as the provided LRS name.
Create LRS From Existing Dataset—The existing centerline, calibration point, and redline feature classes that are not yet registered with an LRS must be inside a common feature dataset. The feature dataset name can be different from the LRS name.
Modify LRS—The existing centerline, calibration point, and redline feature classes that are registered with an LRS must be inside a common feature dataset. The feature dataset name can be different from the LRS name.

The LRS dataset is required to run the following geoprocessing tools:

You can read some of the information contained in the LRS dataset using an arcpy.Describe function. To read the LRS Metadata and Event Behavior Rules for a geodatabase with an LRS controller dataset, use the following functions:

FileGDB:

desc = arcpy.Describe("C:\\Data\\LRData\\LrsSchema.gdb\\Lrs\\Lrs")

lrsXML = desc.lrsMetadata

eventBehaviors = desc.eventBehaviorRules

SDE:

desc = arcpy.Describe("C:\\Data\\LRData\\LrsSchema.sde\\GPRefresh.DBO.LRS\\GPRefresh.DBO.LRS")

lrsXML = desc.lrsMetadata

eventBehaviors = desc.eventBehaviorRules

Writing to a file:

txtFile = open("C:\\Data\\LRData\\lrsXML.xml", "w")

txtFile.write(lrsXML)

txtFile.close()

Data modeling

Transportation professionals are routinely tasked with considering alternative routing options to ensure regulatory compliance, market, construction, and other business needs. This usually results in realigning (rerouting) a roadway. Realignment not only changes the pathways of roads, but also impacts networks and events configured in an LRS data model.

To use Roads and Highways, your data needs to be in the Roads and Highways information model in the geodatabase. For more information, refer to the following topics:

LRS configuration

The modeling and creation of your linear referencing system (LRS) can be performed using the following geoprocessing tools.

Create and modify an LRS.
You can use either the Create LRS or Create LRS From Existing Dataset geoprocessing tool to create an LRS.
To modify an existing LRS, use Modify LRS. This includes enabling conflict prevention in an LRS.
Learn more about how to create and modify an LRS
Create LRS networks.
You can use either the Create LRS Network or Create LRS Network From Existing Dataset geoprocessing tool.
To modify an existing LRS Network, use the Modify LRS Network tool.
Learn more about how to create and modify an LRS Network
Create LRS events.
You can use either the Create LRS Event or Create LRS From Existing Dataset geoprocessing tool.
To add referent fields to the event feature class, use Enable Referent Fields. This tool enables the referent fields by allowing you to register existing fields as referent fields.
To modify an existing LRS event, use Modify LRS Event.
Learn more about how to create and modify LRS events
Create LRS intersections.
You can use either the Create LRS Intersection or Create LRS Intersection From Existing Dataset geoprocessing tool.
To add intersections to your intersection feature class, run Generate Intersections.
To modify an existing LRS intersection feature class, use Modify LRS Intersection.
Learn more about how to create and modify LRS intersections
Load routes into the LRS Network.
Once the LRS is created, routes can be loaded using the Append Routes geoprocessing tool. Route shapes can be regenerated using the Generate Routes geoprocessing tool.
Learn more about how to load routes into an existing LRS Network
Learn more about setting gap calibration rules for your LRS Network
Create calibration points.
To add calibration points, use the Generate Calibration Points and Append Routes geoprocessing tools.
Prepare centerlines
To remove overlaps that could cause data errors, use Remove Overlapping Centerlines.
Load event data.
To load event records from a table, layer, or feature class into an existing event feature class, use Append Events.
Learn more about how to create and modify LRS Events

Realign and reroute

The following list is offered as process guidance for the tools required for realigning (rerouting) and maintaining linear referenced data:

Create Centerline—Determine if one or more centerlines exist for the realignment portion of a route or routes.
Event Behavior—Consider how event behavior rules will apply to your route edits.
Apply Event Behaviors—Apply event behaviors to keep event measures in alignment with route edits.
LRS Network—Determine if other LRS networks are affected by route edits.
Generate Routes—Regenerate shapes for LRS networks.

Route editing workflows

Similar workflows can be created for other route editing activities such as create, extend, realign, reassign, retire, calibrate, and cartographic realignment.

The following table and list can be used as recommendations or guidance for processes and functions required for editing and maintaining roadway data.

Route edit activity table
Step	Workflow	Create	Calibrate	Cartographic Realignment	Extend	Realign	Reassign	Retire
1	Create a centerline.	Y	N	N	Y	N	N	N
2	Perform the editing activity.	Y	N/A	N/A	Y	Y	Y	Y
3	Run the Apply Event Behaviors geoprocessing tool.	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y

If additional LRS networks are configured, repeat the edit activity for each affected network.

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