Creating a VRP in Model Builder - Can you create routes on the fly?

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06-20-2013 07:32 AM
JesseMorkis
New Contributor II
Hello. I was wondering if anyone knows if there is a tool to create a route for a VRP in model builder? You are able to add a route table with the "Load Locations" tool, but you cannot create one from scratch. This would be the equivalent of using the "Add Item" option when creating a new route for a VRP manually.

Thanks,

Jesse
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RobertGarrity
Esri Contributor
Hi Jesse,

If you are using the Add Locations tool, you can expose your Input Locations parameter as a model parameter. Then, in the Properties of the Input Locations parameter, set the data type to RecordSet. You'll also need to specify a schema. To do that, export a Routes feature class from an empty VRP layer you create through ArcMap, then point the RecordSet schema to that saved feature class. (Alternatively, you can create a feature class with just the necessary fields, such as Name, StartDepot, EndDepot and any other properties you want to be able to define as you add routes manually).

A second option is to use the Solve Vehicle Routing Problem tool in the Server toolset of the Network Analyst toolbox. That tool is designed for making web services but it has the Route input already set up as a record set.

A third option is to use the ArcGIS Online VRP service: http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/#/What_are_the_ArcGIS_Online_network_analysis_services.... This would be useful if you don't already have a good or comprehensive network dataset.

Best,
Robertg

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2 Replies
RobertGarrity
Esri Contributor
Hi Jesse,

If you are using the Add Locations tool, you can expose your Input Locations parameter as a model parameter. Then, in the Properties of the Input Locations parameter, set the data type to RecordSet. You'll also need to specify a schema. To do that, export a Routes feature class from an empty VRP layer you create through ArcMap, then point the RecordSet schema to that saved feature class. (Alternatively, you can create a feature class with just the necessary fields, such as Name, StartDepot, EndDepot and any other properties you want to be able to define as you add routes manually).

A second option is to use the Solve Vehicle Routing Problem tool in the Server toolset of the Network Analyst toolbox. That tool is designed for making web services but it has the Route input already set up as a record set.

A third option is to use the ArcGIS Online VRP service: http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/#/What_are_the_ArcGIS_Online_network_analysis_services.... This would be useful if you don't already have a good or comprehensive network dataset.

Best,
Robertg
JesseMorkis
New Contributor II
Thanks Robert. This is exactly what I was looking for.
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