| Label | Explanation | Data Type |
Input Features
| The input asset features. | Feature Layer |
Output Blind Spot Buffer | The output blind spot buffer features. | Feature Class |
Buffer Type
| The distance around the input features that will be buffered. Distances can be provided as either a linear distance or a field from the Input Features parameter value that defines the individual ranges and units to buffer each feature. | Linear Unit; Field |
Range
Unit (Optional) | Specifies the linear unit that will be used when the chosen Buffer Type parameter value does not contain the unit of distance.
| String |
Start Time Field
(Optional) | The field containing the start date and time the asset is available. | Field |
End Time Field
(Optional) | The field containing the end date and time the asset is no longer available. | Field |
Summary
Creates a proximity buffer for input Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) or patrol assets for use in the Generate Blind Spot Areas tool.
The output should be considered the areas that are being observed by the assets for the given input locations for the specified time periods. For example, the output can represent the areas visible to a guard as they move from post to post for given time periods at each post.
Usage
If you have several input asset data sets, run this tool once for each data set. Use the Merge tool to combine output layers into a single data set for use in the Generate Blind Spot Areas tool.
Negative buffer distances may cause unintended outputs. It is recommended that you use only buffer distances greater than zero.
The tool requires time ranges to be used, not single-time instances. Both or neither the Start Time Field and End Time Field parameters must be set.
The tool adds time_start and time_end fields to the Output Blind Spot Buffer parameter value. These fields are only added if the Start Time Field and End Time Field parameters are specified.
Parameters
arcpy.intelligence.GenerateCoverageAreas(in_features, out_feature_class, buffer_type, {range_unit}, {start_time_field}, {end_time_field})| Name | Explanation | Data Type |
in_features | The input asset features. | Feature Layer |
out_feature_class | The output blind spot buffer features. | Feature Class |
buffer_type | The distance around the input features that will be buffered. Distances can be provided as either a linear distance or a field from the in_features parameter value that defines the individual ranges and units to buffer each feature. | Linear Unit; Field |
range_unit (Optional) | Specifies the linear unit that will be used when the chosen buffer_type parameter value does not contain the unit of distance.
| String |
start_time_field (Optional) | The field containing the start date and time the asset is available. | Field |
end_time_field None (Optional) | The field containing the end date and time the asset is no longer available. | Field |
Code sample
The following script shows how to use the GenerateCoverageAreas function.
import os
import arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace = r"c:\ws\texas.gdb"
asset_fcs = ["td_towers", "td_localpd", "td_flt01"]
to_merge = []
out_merged = os.path.join(arcpy.env.workspace, "td_combined_buffers")
buffer_field = "vis_range"
start_field = "starttime"
end_field = "endtime"
for fc in asset_fcs:
in_fc = os.path.join(arcpy.env.workspace, fc)
out_fc = os.path.join(arcpy.env.workspace, "{}_b".format(fc))
arcpy.intelligence.GenerateCoverageAreas(in_fc, out_fc, buffer_field, "",
start_field, end_field)
to_merge.append(outfc)
arcpy.Merge_management(to_merge, out_merged)Environments
This tool does not use any geoprocessing environments.
Licensing information
- Basic: No
- Standard: Yes
- Advanced: Yes