Traverse network with multiple travel modes

Question

Hello, I have been trying to determine if there is a way to use travel modes to route somewhere by using multiple modes in one route. For example, if I want to route from a major hwy (drivable) to a trail(walkable), is there a way for the routing to using automobile, then switch to walking once it gets to a location where a vehicle is no longer usable. @MelindaMorang. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Melinda Morang · Answer

Since your trails are in a separate feature class, as mentioned above, you could construct a single cost attribute that calculates the travel time on roads using driving speeds and on trails using walking speeds.  So technically you could get this to work.  You just need to set up the evaluators for your cost attribute correctly.

Documentation for cost attributes: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/analysis/networks/cost-attributes.htm

Documentation for evaluators: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/analysis/networks/types-of-evaluators-used-by-a-network.htm

The limitation with this model is that the solver can't track whether or not the traveler currently has their car.  So, you could potentially get a route where the traveler drives to a trailhead, walks on the trail, emerges at a different point, and continues driving, even though they left their car at the other end of the trail.  But if you're just trying to find the best way to get to some point deep in the woods from your headquarters or something like that, it shouldn't be an issue.

melisahansen · Answer

Our trails are a separate feature class and their costs are calculated based on a walking speed. Our goal would be for the network to be smart enough to say you can get to X point via automobile, then continue by walking. However, it sounds like this is not possible, and there are no plans to make it possible, correct? This would be very beneficial for public safety responses.

Melinda Morang · Answer

In general, no, that's not possible in the same analysis.

If you're creating your own network dataset and you have a separate source feature class for the trails, you could configure a travel time cost attribute to calculate the travel time differently for the streets vs  the trails.  However, this would preclude a traveler from walking on streets (because as soon as they're on streets, the travel time assumes driving).  Maybe that's fine for your purposes.