Make Route Layer (Network Analyst)

ArcGIS Pro 3.4 | | Help archive

Summary

Makes a route network analysis layer and sets its analysis properties. A route analysis layer is useful for determining the best route between a set of network locations based on a specified network cost.

Legacy:

This is a deprecated tool. This functionality has been replaced by the Make Route Analysis Layer tool.

Usage

  • After creating the analysis layer with this tool, you can add network analysis objects to it using the Add Locations tool, solve the analysis using the Solve tool, and save the results on disk using the Save To Layer File tool.

  • When using this tool in geoprocessing models, if the model is run as a tool, the output network analysis layer must be made a model parameter; otherwise, the output layer is not added to the contents of the map.

Parameters

LabelExplanationData Type
Input Analysis Network

The network dataset on which the route analysis will be performed.

Network Dataset Layer
Output Layer Name

Name of the route network analysis layer to create.

String
Impedance Attribute

The cost attribute that will be used as impedance in the analysis.

String
Reorder Stops to Find Optimal Route
(Optional)
  • Checked—The stops will be reordered to find the optimal route. This option changes the route analysis from a shortest-path problem to a traveling salesperson problem (TSP).
  • Unchecked—The stops will be visited in the input order. This is the default.
Boolean
Preserve Ordering of Stops
(Optional)

Specifies the ordering of stops when Reorder stops to find optimal route parameter is checked.

  • Preserve first and last stopsThe first and last stops by input order will be preserved as the first and last stops in the route.
  • Preserve first stopThe first stop by input order will be preserved as the first stop in the route, but the last stop can be reordered.
  • Preserve last stopThe last stop by input order will be preserved as the last stop in the route, but the first stop can be reordered.
  • Reorder all stopsThe first and last stops will not be preserved and can be reordered.
String
Use Time Windows
(Optional)

Specifies whether time windows will be used at the stops.

  • Checked—The route will consider time windows on the stops. If a stop is arrived at before its time window, there will be wait time until the time window starts. If a stop is arrived at after its time window, there will be a time window violation. Total time window violation is balanced against adding impedance when computing the route. This option is enabled only when the impedance is in time units.
  • Unchecked—The route will ignore time windows on the stops. This is the default.
Boolean
Accumulators
(Optional)

A list of cost attributes to be accumulated during analysis. These accumulation attributes are for reference only; the solver only uses the cost attribute specified by the Impedance Attribute parameter to calculate the route.

For each cost attribute that is accumulated, a Total_[Impedance] property is added to the routes that are output by the solver.

String
U-Turn Policy
(Optional)

Specifies the U-turn policy that will be used at junctions. Allowing U-turns implies that the solver can turn around at a junction and double back on the same street. Given that junctions represent street intersections and dead ends, different vehicles may be able to turn around at some junctions but not at others—it depends on whether the junction represents an intersection or a dead end. To accommodate this, the U-turn policy parameter is implicitly specified by the number of edges that connect to the junction, which is known as junction valency. The acceptable values for this parameter are listed below; each is followed by a description of its meaning in terms of junction valency.

If you need a more precisely defined U-turn policy, consider adding a global turn delay evaluator to a network cost attribute or adjusting its settings if one exists, and pay particular attention to the configuration of reverse turns. You can also set the CurbApproach property of your network locations.

  • AllowedU-turns are permitted at junctions with any number of connected edges. This is the default value.
  • Not allowedU-turns are prohibited at all junctions, regardless of junction valency. However, U-turns are still permitted at network locations even when this option is specified, but you can set the individual network location's CurbApproach property to prohibit U-turns there as well.
  • Allowed at dead ends onlyU-turns are prohibited at all junctions, except those that have only one adjacent edge (a dead end).
  • Allowed at dead ends and intersections onlyU-turns are prohibited at junctions where exactly two adjacent edges meet but are permitted at intersections (junctions with three or more adjacent edges) and dead ends (junctions with exactly one adjacent edge). Often, networks have extraneous junctions in the middle of road segments. This option prevents vehicles from making U-turns at these locations.
String
Restrictions
(Optional)

A list of restriction attributes that will be applied during the analysis.

String
Use Hierarchy in Analysis
(Optional)
  • Checked—The hierarchy attribute will be used for the analysis. Using a hierarchy results in the solver preferring higher-order edges to lower-order edges. Hierarchical solves are faster, and they can be used to simulate the preference of a driver who chooses to travel on freeways rather than local roads when possible—even if that means a longer trip. This option is active only if the input network dataset has a hierarchy attribute.
  • Unchecked—The hierarchy attribute will not be used for the analysis, and the result will be an exact route for the network dataset.

The parameter is inactive if no hierarchy attribute is defined on the network dataset used to perform the analysis.

Boolean
Hierarchy Rank Settings
(Optional)

Legacy:

Prior to version 10, this parameter allowed you to change the hierarchy ranges for the analysis from the default hierarchy ranges established in the network dataset. At version 10, this parameter is no longer supported. To change the hierarchy ranges for the analysis, update the default hierarchy ranges in the network dataset.

Network Analyst Hierarchy Settings
Output Path Shape
(Optional)

Specifies the shape type that will be used for the route features that are output by the analysis.

Regardless of the output shape type specified, the best route is always determined by the network impedance, not Euclidean distance. This means that only the route shapes are different, not the underlying traversal of the network.

  • True lines with measuresThe output routes will have the exact shape of the underlying network sources. The output includes route measurements for linear referencing. The measurements increase from the first stop and record the cumulative impedance to reach a given position.
  • True lines without measuresThe output routes will have the exact shape of the underlying network sources.
  • Straight linesThe output route shape will be a single straight line between the stops.
  • No linesNo shape will be generated for the output routes.
String
Start Time
(Optional)

The start date and time for the route. Route start time is typically used to find routes based on the impedance attribute that varies with the time of the day. For example, a start time of 7:00 a.m. can be used to find a route that considers rush hour traffic. The default value for this parameter is 8:00 a.m. A date and time can be specified as 10/21/05 10:30 AM. If the route spans multiple days and only the start time is specified, the current date is used.

Configure the analysis to use one of the following special dates to model a day of the week or the current date instead of a specific, static date:

  • Today—12/30/1899
  • Sunday—12/31/1899
  • Monday—1/1/1900
  • Tuesday—1/2/1900
  • Wednesday—1/3/1900
  • Thursday—1/4/1900
  • Friday—1/5/1900
  • Saturday—1/6/1900

For example, to specify that travel should begin at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, specify the parameter value as 1/2/1900 5:00 PM.

After the solve, the start and end times of the route are populated in the output routes. These start and end times are also used when directions are generated.

Learn more about how dates and times are used and interpreted in a network analysis

Date

Derived Output

LabelExplanationData Type
Network Analyst Layer

The newly created network analysis layer.

Network Analyst Layer

Environments

Licensing information

  • Basic: Yes
  • Standard: Yes
  • Advanced: Yes

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