Network Analyst Traffic Condition

[PriyankaJain]

Hello there,

I have added streets network dataset(ESRI data) for finding the shortest route but i think it doesn't take into account the historical traffic condition. Can you tell how can i add traffic data to the network dataset.

Please guide me.

Priyanka

[JaySandhu]

The free streetmap data that comes with ArcGIS does not contain historical traffic conditions. You can buy StreetMap premium advanced data with that information. You can get some more information here: http://www.esri.com/data/streetmap/comparison.html

If you want to make your own, then you can take a look at the Tutorial data that comes with Network Analyst, specifically the San Francisco data as it has been set up with historical data.
You can read more about historical data here:
http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#//0047000000s0000000.htm

Regards,
Jay Sandhu

[PriyankaJain]

Thanks for the information.
Also, i wanted to know how can i add Excel data sheet as 'orders' for Vehicle Routing Problem. Do i need to convert it to some other format?

Thanks,
Priyanka

[JaySandhu]

Priyanka,
You can add the excel sheet to ArcMap and then right-click it to either geocode or display as XY to convert the excel sheet into a point feature class. So if you have address data you can geocode and if you have lat/long then you can use the XY option. No need to convert that to something else.

Ex 8 in the Network Analyst tutorials also shows how to geocode orders for VRP from an excel sheet called OrderPairs.xls You can see the details here:
http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/Exercise_8_Finding_best_routes_to_serv...


Regards,
Jay Sandhu