topic Re: Cannot Use Manually Created Junctions in Network Dataset in ArcGIS Network Analyst Questions

Cannot Use Manually Created Junctions in Network Dataset

SZG909 — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 20:57:24 GMT

Hi all,

I am trying to use a network dataset based on a custom road dataset for route analysis. However, when I built my network, many intersection's junctions were missing.

My solution was to create my own junctions data and manually import it into my network. I used the Intersect tool to create these junctions. I then imported the intersect points into my network feature class. However, when I create a network, there is the option to input my roads feature class under Source Feature Classes, but not my intersect points feature class.

How can I use these intersect points as junctions in my network?

Re: Cannot Use Manually Created Junctions in Network Dataset

MelindaMorang — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 21:07:15 GMT

Are you using the Streetmap Premium Custom Roads dataset? I think that's what you mean by "custom road dataset".

If you're using Streetmap Premium Custom Roads, you can load your own junctions into the Custom_Streets_Overrides feature class.

Re: Cannot Use Manually Created Junctions in Network Dataset

SZG909 — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 14:09:39 GMT

Thanks for your response. I am just using manually digitized roads that I created in a part of the world where no road network data exists.

My feature dataset contains both my manually digitized roads and intersect points. When I create a network I have the option to select the roads feature class, but not the digitized points feature class.

Re: Cannot Use Manually Created Junctions in Network Dataset

MelindaMorang — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 14:50:06 GMT

Okay, thanks for the additional details. That helps me narrow in on the problem.

The first problem you mentioned was that intersection junctions were missing in your network. It sounds like that's the real problem, and any problems with adding a junction feature class to your network are secondary problems with something you're trying to do to correct the first. Is that right?

The most common issue when creating a network with manually digitized roads relates to connectivity. There are a couple of geometry problems and network dataset settings that can cause roads to be disconnected at intersections where they should connect:

Geometry problems - The digitized streets aren't snapped together at intersections. There are little gaps and dangles, and the streets don't meet up neatly and cleanly at the intersection points. To correct this, you need to edit the street features.
No vertices or end points at intersections - The digitized streets are long lines that cross other lines, but they don't have vertices or end points at the locations where they intersect. These are treated as underpasses/overpasses instead of intersections. You can run the Integrate tool to generate vertices at the intersection points (but make a backup copy of your data first because Integrate can mangle it).
Incorrect connectivity policy. The streets aren't connected at intersections because you're using End Point connectivity, but the street features don't end at intersections (they just have vertices). You can fix this by switching to Any Vertex connectivity. Documentation for connectivity: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/analysis/networks/understanding-connectivity.htm

When you build the network dataset, vertices should automatically be created at connected intersections. If no vertex was connected, it means that the geometry and/or network dataset settings do not see that intersection as properly connected.

To help you debug the problem, try using the Explore Network tool to click on the street features near the problem area to see how they're connected (or disconnected). Documentation for Explore Network: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/analysis/networks/explore-network.htm

If none of that solves your original problem and you still want to include your own junctions in the network, you should be able to select a point feature class as a source feature class of the network in the Create Network Dataset tool or manually in the network dataset properties. The point feature class must be in the network's feature dataset.

Re: Cannot Use Manually Created Junctions in Network Dataset

SZG909 — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 19:42:05 GMT

Yes, you are correct. Thanks for these options. Number 3 - updating the connectivity policy to include any vertex seems to have done the trick!

Re: Cannot Use Manually Created Junctions in Network Dataset

MelindaMorang — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 22:58:29 GMT

For anyone looking at this issue in the future: The ArcGIS Pro documentation now includes a guide for troubleshooting unexpected network analysis results and problems with user-created network datasets: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/analysis/networks/troubleshoot-network-analysis-problems.htm.