7 replies to this topic

[cmdrico7812]

I've been playing around with creating a 200 mile buffer around the city for which I work. This distance, of course, is as the crow flies. I am wondering if anyone has ever tried to do a drivetime buffer; possibly using different road classes to estimate the time it would take to get to the center (i.e. state roads would take longer than interstates, etc.). Not sure if this is even possible but just wondered if anyone has any experience with or any thoughts on the subject. Thanks.

Eric

[Hans van der Maarel]

What software are you using? I think most GIS software has an option to do this. I personally use MapPoint for it (which has the disadvantage of not being able to export it it any sort of geographically-aware format...), but Manifold can do it as well as part of the Business Tools add-on.

[franciscocartographer]

There are many utilities that can calculate drive times buffers based on the road type and traffic conditions (normal, moderate, heavy...). The important thing here is the data; but if you are working in city government you should have access to the best road data possible.

I use a utility called "Freeway" for creating these. For ArcGIS you will need to have business analyst ($$$$), I think. Manifold business tools is a lot cheaper.

Here is an example of a commute Shed:
 CommuteFeb27_03.png   31.42K   145 downloads

[araki5]

Don't quote me on this one, but I think this is Network Analyst extension for ArcGIS is the one for this.

Francisco, that utility that you use, is that for Manifold or another GIS proggie that I am unaware of?

I also think some of the higher end GIS: GeoMedia and Microstation also have this built in. There is one in AutoCAD Map 3D, but I haven't messed around with it yet.

[franciscocartographer]

Francisco, that utility that you use, is that for Manifold or another GIS proggie that I am unaware of?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Freeway is a stand alone application. It will create a drive time polygon in .mif/MID format (mapinfo) which can be imported as a shapefile in ArcGIS.

[Matthew Hampton]

I have used Network Analyst (ArcGIS extension) for this type of query, but just used road classification (hwy, arterial, local road, etc.) for the analysis.

Navteq/Teleatlas data has actual drive times and would be more accurate.

[Maarten]

The program Flowmap might be useful. The educational version is freeware.
Flowmap is made at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands.

Greetings, Maarten.

[gregsd]

I also think some of the higher end GIS: GeoMedia and Microstation also have this built in. There is one in AutoCAD Map 3D, but I haven't messed around with it yet.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've got Geomedia Pro 5.1 but can't seem to locate this function. Do you know which menu this is under?

Thanks

Greg.