Create the LRS, networks, events, and intersections

Available with Location Referencing license.

The following information will guide you through the process of linear referenced data modeling, loading, and route editing using the ArcGIS Pipeline Referencing extension.

LRS dataset

A linear referencing system (LRS) dataset is a controller dataset in a feature dataset in the geodatabase along with all the feature classes that participate in the LRS.

Note:

You can review the hierarchy for an LRS from either the Contents pane or the Catalog pane.

Note:

The LRS dataset is visible only in ArcGIS Pro. An error message appears if a geodatabase that contains the LRS dataset is opened in ArcMap.

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 are placed in 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 in 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 in a common feature dataset. The feature dataset name can be different from the LRS name.

The LRS dataset is required to run the following tools:

• All Configuration toolset tools
• Append Events
• Append Routes
• Apply Event Behaviors
• Delete Routes
• Derive Event Measures
• Generate Calibration Points
• Generate Events
• Generate Intersections
• Generate Routes
• Remove Overlapping Centerlines

Note:

If you use the Migrate Object ID to 64 Bit tool to migrate the LRS dataset to 64-bit Object IDs, only 32-bit values will be supported. The Object ID field can be migrated; however, values must remain as 32-bit.

Upgrading to a 64-bit Object ID dataset is useful when Object ID values may exceed 2.1 billion or if data is coming from cloud data warehouses.

Learn more about migrating to a 64-bit Object ID

You can review some of the information contained in the LRS dataset using an arcpy.Describe function. To review 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

EnterpriseGDB:

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

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

To use Pipeline Referencing, your data must be in the Pipeline Referencing information model in the geodatabase. For more information, refer to the following:

• LRS data model
• Tolerance and resolution settings for the LRS
• Events data model

LRS configuration

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

1. Create and modify an LRS.

   You can use either the Create LRS or Create LRS From Existing Dataset tool to create an LRS.

   To modify an existing LRS, including the ability to enable conflict prevention in an LRS, use Modify LRS.

   Learn more about how to create and modify an LRS

2. Create LRS networks.

   You can use either the Create LRS Network or Create LRS Network From Existing Dataset tool.

   To modify an existing LRS Network, use the Modify LRS Network tool.

   Learn more about how to create and modify an LRS Network

3. Create LRS events.

   You can use either the Create LRS Event or Create LRS Event From Existing Dataset tool.

   To add derived measure fields to your event feature class, run Enable Derived Measure Fields.

   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

4. Create LRS intersections.

   You can use either the Create LRS Intersection or Create LRS Intersection From Existing Dataset 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

5. Load routes into the LRS Network.

   Once the LRS is created, routes can be loaded using the Append Routes tool. Route shapes can be regenerated using the Generate Routes tool.

   Learn more about how to load routes into an existing LRS Network

   Learn more about setting gap calibration rules for an LRS Network

6. Create calibration points.

   To add calibration points, use the Generate Calibration Points and Append Routes tools.

   Note:

   If calibration points will be appended outside the Generate Calibration Points tool, this step should be completed before loading routes into the LRS Network.

7. Prepare centerlines.

   To remove overlaps that could cause data errors, use Remove Overlapping Centerlines.

8. 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

9. Configure a derived network.

   You can use either the Create LRS Network or Create LRS Network From Existing Dataset tool with the Derive From Line Network check box checked.

   Learn more about how to configure a derived network

Realign and reroute

The following tools help realign (reroute) and maintain linear referenced data:

• Create Centerline—Determine whether 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 whether other nonderived LRS networks are affected by route edits.
• Generate Routes—Regenerate shapes for LRS networks, including the derived network.
• Derive Event Measures—Update derived network information on edited events.

Route editing workflows

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

The following table lists steps required for editing and maintaining pipeline 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 tool.	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
4	If you have a Derived Network configured, run the Generate Routes tool.	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
5	If you have a Derived Network configured, run the Derive Event Measures tool.	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y

If more LRS networks or line networks are configured, repeat the edit activity for each affected network.

Update event behaviors, route shapes, and derived network information for each affected network using the following tools:

• Apply Event Behaviors—Apply event behaviors to keep event measures in alignment with route edits.
• Generate Routes—Regenerate shapes for LRS networks, including the derived network.
• Derive Event Measures—Update derived network information on edited events.