od cost matrix

Question

Hi

I have created a python script that runs an OD cost matrix over five years, from 1999 to 2004. I have set up an OD cost matrix for each year, which I think is very cumbersome. Is there someone who can show me how I do this with a loop in python (arcpy) instead of setting up the OD cost matrix for each year. 
In my orgins and Destinations I also have a field called HOSPITALS. In the OD cost matrix, this field should be connected to each other so there will only be an analysis of each orgins to Destination.
How can i do this?

OD_Cost_MatrixTEST.py.zip

BradShore1 · Answer

With a route layer, you can load multiple features into it to be able to solve the route. If you define the RouteName field in the route layer (in your case you could use the Hospital ID), you can solve routes between Members and the Hospital they were seen at. The only downside to this is getting the data set up correctly.

You will need 2 features to do this, a Member feature and a Hospital feature. Here's the catch, in the hospital feature, there needs to be a record for every Member. So, if you have 20 Members total, 10 are seen at Hospital a, and 10 were seen at Hospital b, the Hospital feature will need 20 record total (10 Hospital a and 10 Hospital b). You can then load each feature into the stops of the Route Layer with the RouteName field defined on Hospital ID and it will calculate the distance between each Member and the Hospital they were seen at.

There are quite a few threads in the Network Analysis forums about how to use the RouteName field. I hope this makes sense and helps out.

Tom_AndersEngebakken · Answer

Hey Brad

I did not quite understand what you meant how to do it with the route layer. Can you please explain it a little better to me?

Tom Anders

BradShore1 · Answer

Look into using a Route layer instead of an OD Cost Matrix. You can you the ROUTENAME field in the Route layer to link the stops (orgins and destinations) based on Hospitals field.