Network Analyst: Closest Facility

Aim:

 To create a Closest Facility Map through the use of Network Analyst toolset

Procedure:

Step 1: Map Input

A Base map or toposheet on which Roads and Facilities Point features are digitized and exported as shapefiles.

Step 2: Map Processing

·         Geo-reference the base map with known location coordinates.

·         Import the digitized Line and Point shapefiles into the target Geo-database.

·         All Line entities of road feature class, needs to be split into right-angles at junctions. Hence use the Planarize line tool from Topology tool options under Editing mode.

·         In ArcCatalog, create a Network Dataset and add Road features.

·         Enable the Network Analyst option in Extension and choose the Closest Facility analysis.

·         For Closest Facility analysis, the location of Facilities point and Incident Points are mandatory. One may choose to identify these Facility and Incident Locations manually or load point location shape file(s) created from the base map.

·         On properties of closest facility, set the Impedance to Break Values of Length in Meters.

·         Solve for Closest Facility. The  Closest Facility Route Map (In custom Break Values) will be generated for Facilities Point Location.

Step 3: Map Display

 The final Output map can be displayed with Map Elements and grid properties of Layout.

Conclusion:

A Closest Facility route Map through the use of Network Analyst toolset is created.