Download data first!
FIND BEST ROUTE
With the slcroads.shp theme active,
Network > Find Best Route
Arcview Network Analyst now adds a route theme to your view and presents you with a new dialog box.
You now have two options to add the stops for which you want to calculate a route, either by interactively selecting stops graphically from the view, or by loading a point theme that holds the stops. First, let’s try to select them graphically.
SELECTING STOPS INTERACTIVELY
Click the Add Location icon in the menu bar:
Then click in the view to select stops.
These are added to the dialog box as you click them.
You can change the order of stops by highlighting (clicking) them, and then use the arrow buttons; you can also delete stops by clicking the delete “X” button. In addition you can use the check boxes to choose whether you want Arcview Network Analyst to find the best order of stops, and/or whether you want to return to the origin (the first stop in the list). Properties allows you to choose the shortest path based on shortest distance (default) or least cost (minutes or other cost units).
Just add a couple of stops, then click the Solve icon:
Arcview Network Analyst will now build the topology and run the analysis. Be patient! When done, Arcview Network Analyst will add a display the route in your window.
Click Directions.
This gives you turn-by-turn directions for the entire route.
Click Done.
With the dialog box still open, check the Find best order box, then click the Solve icon again.
Did the route change?
With the dialog box still open, click Properties, select Minutes as your Cost field, click OK, click the Find Solve icon. Did the route change?
If you want to save the different alternatives as different routes, you need to save them separately:
Make the calculated route active in the View window.
Theme > Convert to Shapefile > Select a name and a folder > Accept to add the theme to the view.
When done running and saving the different alternatives you want to display, delete the default route theme:
Make the default route theme active,
Edit > Delete Theme
SELECTING STOPS FROM A STOPS THEME
Make the road theme active,
Network > Find Best Route > Load Stops > Select stops.shp .
Try the same variations as before.
SETTING RESTRICTIONS
If you select one (or more) arc(s) prior to Solve, this prohibits travel on this arc. Try it out! This is an easy way to model restrictions without editing the attribute table.