Error Message while Using Intersect Tool

[TomVo]

Hello,

I have been receiving error message during intersecting process (picture). I am trying to intersect between these two layers: 1) city boundaries and 2) buffers of those cities. Have anyone face this issue before? Please let me know how to solve it.

Thanks in advance!

Tom.

[TomVo]

Dan,

I am trying to calculate the job accessibility based on distance from the centroid of census tracts. By doing intersect, I can be able to calculate the proportion of the census tracts.

Thanks,

Tom

[SepheFox]

Hmmm, perhaps a better way to do this is to use the Near tool from the proximity toolset. You can set a search radius equivalent to your buffer.

[DanPatterson_Retired]

Ahhh... but it still isn't working for me, since you are using straight-line distance, hence a buffer (circle), and from that trying to estimate the proportion (of population?) of the census tract.  I presume that this is some standard measure that has been used by others...if so fine.  If not, I would suggest using network distance to delineate a 'service area' from the centroid to obtain the geometry for intersection...which is going to make your situation perhaps slightly better if the ngon has fewer sides than a circle.  

I think a picture, not obliterated by circles, and some proposed calculations may be in order to simplify your dilemma and demonstrate the measure you are actually after.

[Sol_Wuensch]

I agree with Dan, I need either a visual and/or more details to understand exactly what you're trying to accomplish.

Strange how this thread is evolving, there is still the dilemma of what is causing the error with the geoprocessing tool (I can't help but wonder what the root cause of that was) but if there is a least cost path to the solution you are looking for then that kind of becomes a moot point.  In hindsight, it might have been a good idea to ask more about the details of the solution you are trying to achieve in the very beginning.  However, it's hard to determine in advance which will be more helpful, asking the user what their goal is and working from their or answering the specific problem they are stuck on in the middle of their project.