Network Data Set

Question

Hi,

I am a student trying to do a Vehicle Routing Problem for Municipal Solid Waste Collection using ArcGIS Network Analyst. This is for my term project. I have went 
through the Network Analyst tutorial and the on-line VRP training offered by ESRI. However, I am getting stuck on the step involving creating Network Dataset. Also, I went through the forum trying to see if there are any related topics and go from there. I tried to create one on my own but it did not work. My questions are:

-Is there a ready Network Dataset for any of Canadian cities?
-My second option is to do it for any US city with the available Network Dataset, if there are any available?
-Is there a source for Street/Roads Network Datasets that you could suggest?

I hope my questions were not confusing (I am just a student). I would greatly appreciate any tips/help. Thank you very much.

AnarJofaryv · Answer

Robert,

Thank you very much. I am looking at that option now as well. Have a great day.

RobertGarrity · Answer

One other option to add to Alexey's list is the standard (non-premium) StreetMap data, which is available to ArcGIS users at no additional cost on the Data and Maps media. This StreetMap network doesn't have as many options and isn't as current as the premium version, but it covers North America (or Europe) and should be sufficient for what you want to do.

If you don't find Data and Maps on your GIS lab's computers, maybe you can ask your lab manager to download it from the Esri Customer Care site or get the DVD, which he/she may already have, and install it.

Best,
Robert

AnarJofaryv · Answer

Alexey,

I appreciate you taking time to answer my questions. I think I might as well use the Network Analyst example from the tutorial data that came on the CD or the VRP example from the ESRI's training. The on-line training course is called Network Analysis Using ArcGIS 10 offered through http://training.esri.com
which is an example from Florida.
       I think by trying to do an example from scratch I am going over my head for a beginner. I'll use San Francisco as an example. Spasibo.