how to build street network map and measure directed distance?

[alexlam]

I am currently working on routing problem and collected 90 location points, how can I build the road network map and insert data to it  as well as calculate the directed distance (not displacement ) ? 

[ChrisDonohue__GISP · Accepted solution]

If you have access to the Network Analyst Extension, you can create a Network Dataset and then use Network Analyst to do the routing.

Here's some starting points:

ArcGIS Help 10.1 - Designing a Network Dataset

ArcGIS Help 10.1 - Creating a Network Dataset

Note that if you have not created a Network Dataset before, creating a Network Dataset be a major undertaking.  There's lots of data out there that at first seems ready-made for turning into a Network Dataset for Network Analysis but unfortunately turns out to have many issues that require cleanup, ranging from many tiny gaps that prevent connectivity to incorrect attribute information.

An alternative to creating your own Network Dataset is to use an existing one.  Some are sold commercially.  Here in the United States, if you work for a government, one can sometimes get one from another government agency.

Another factor to be aware of - If you have not used the Network Analyst Extension before, it takes a bit of learning to use it effectively.  It's an odd extension that takes a while to figure out.

Chris Donohue, GISP