Create a route from line features

The Make Route tool creates a route from selected line features. You can specify the start point, the target feature layer, the method by which m-values are obtained, and a multiplier if you need to convert units. This tool is available in the Modify Features pane.

Note:

Routes are used by linear referencing systems (LRS) to model linear distances and related events. They are created as PolylineZM centerline features with m-values at each vertex that store a measure value independent of the line geometry.

To create a route from line features, complete the following steps:

1. On the Edit tab, choose your snapping preferences, and open the Modify Features pane.
   1. In the Snapping group, click the Snapping drop-down menu and enable your snapping preferences.
   2. In the Features group, click Modify .
2. In the pane, expand Route, and click Make Route .
   • To exit the tool, press Esc.
   • To preview the new route on the map before you create it, check Show Preview.

   

3. Click Select , and select the line features with the geometry you want to copy to create the route.
   • To refine the selection, right-click a feature in the tree view, and click Unselect or Only Select This .

     

4. Click the Template arrow and choose a target layer.
5. Set the Starting Point value using one of the following methods.

   The start point is where the route measure values will begin.

   • Click Specify the start point and click a point on the map.

     The start point automatically snaps to one of the selected feature's endpoints.

   • Click Use coordinate priority and choose lower left, lower right, upper left, or upper right.

     These coordinate priorities are determined using the minimum bounding rectangle around the selected set of linear features. The endpoint from the selected features that is closest to the chosen coordinate priority will be where the measures start.

6. Choose a method by which the measure m-values are to be obtained.

   Note:

   If you choose to have noncontinuous measures, the gap for nondistance is calculated using the units of the target layer's coordinate system. This may cause unexpected measure values; for example, you will get unexpected measure values if the target layer's coordinate system units are meters and you are using a field that stores mileage values to accumulate the measure.

   • Geometric Length —Obtains measure values from the length of selected features in the target layer's coordinate system.
     • Start Measure—Specifies a start measure value other than 0.
     • Multiply Measures by—Specifies the multiplication factor to be applied to measures before the selected lines are merged to create a route. Multiplying measures is useful for converting measure units.
     • Ignore spatial gaps—Creates continuous measures for disjointed routes.
   • Measure Field —Accumulates measure values from the input layer's field value.
     • Start Measure—Specifies a start measure value other than 0.
     • Measure Field—Specifies the field from which measure values for the new route are obtained.
     • Multiply Measures by—Specifies the multiplication factor to be applied to measures before the selected lines are merged to create a route. Multiplying measures is useful for converting measure units.
     • Ignore spatial gaps—Creates continuous measures for disjointed routes.
   • From/To —Interpolates measure values between start and end measure values.
     • From Measure—Specifies the start measure value of the new route.
     • To Measure—Specifies the end measure value of the new route.
     • Ignore spatial gaps—Creates continuous measures for disjointed routes.
7. Click Make Route.

   Once the new route has been created, the selected set of input linear features is unselected and the new route is selected.