Creating a Network Dataset with Public Transit Data

In order to include public transit schedule data in a network analysis, we need to create a network dataset that includes the public transit data. This video walks you through that process. We start with GTFS public transit data, convert that to the public transit data model, prepare street data and connect the transit data to the streets, create the network dataset, build it, and then test it out.
Download the slides for these presentations at esriurl.com/TransitVideoDownl.... Download Network Analyst tutorial data from links.esri.com/NetworkAnalyst....
ArcGIS Pro written tutorial: pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/lat....
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0:00 Introduction
0:47 What is the Network Analyst Public Transit Data Model?
2:08 Create a file geodatabase and feature dataset
4:22 Create data model feature classes and tables
5:37 Prepare your street data
13:18 Connect data model feature classes to streets
16:51 Create the network dataset using the provided template
19:59 Build the network

[@ICcasts]

I'm an undergrad doing research on job accessibility in Chicago - this series is so incredibly helpful. Thank you!

[@Nadav_Sharify]

From all recent videos I checked, you helped the most. Thanks

[@user-ok1go3cl9n]

so helpful. Thanks!

[@lauraaguilera9885]

Hi thank you so much for this explanation. I have a street layer for a statewide network and I'm having trouble setting up the elevation field. What is the best way to set up connectivity for a road layer to distinguish overpass and underpass?

[@esri_arcgis]

This documentation page includes some information about setting up connectivity with elevation fields: pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/analysis/networks/understanding-connectivity.htm. However, I suspect the actual problem you’re experiencing is the fact that you cannot change the vertical elevation type after creating a network dataset, and the provided template sets no elevation. You can manually create your network dataset from scratch and set it to the policy you want. TH-cam comments aren’t a great way to provide tech support, so if you have further questions, you should either reach out to Esri Support or the distributor for your country, or post a question on the Esri Community in the Network Analyst section: community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-network-analyst-questions/bd-p/arcgis-network-analyst-questions. I may be able to provide a modified template (if this is, indeed, your issue), but I can’t do so through this channel.

[@nashrougvie3691]

Thank you for this tutorial! An odd problem that is stopping me from moving forward is that the street dataset I am using does not have a RestrictPedestrians field, and I cannot add it manually because of the character limit for new fields being limited to 10. Do you know if there is a workaround for this?

[@esri_arcgis]

The character limit for field names is 10 only for shapefile datasets. You should copy your data into a file geodatabase feature class first (which you need to do anyway for use in the network dataset), and then you will be able to create the RestrictPedestrians field.

[@fredericmalo3694]

Hello, thanks for this tutorial, I have recreated it for a project I'm doing in school.
Only thing is when I set the Network Analysis to route, it does not tell me whe walk time and the total wait and all the variables related to that are . Is there a way to fix this ? thank you !

[@esri_arcgis]

Sorry this response might be coming too late for your school project. It sounds like your network attributes aren't configured correctly, but without further detail, it's hard to say exactly what the problem might be. If you still need help with this, please post it, with more detail, in the Esri Community forums at community.esri.com/t5/public-transit-questions/bd-p/public-transit-questions or call Esri Support.

[@dcthomp]

can you use multiple GTFS files for a metro area like New York which might not be one whole dataset? Is it possible to merge different GTFS together?

[@esri_arcgis]

Yes, the GTFS To Public Transit Data Model tool allows you to use more than one input GTFS dataset.

[@siegward-of-catarina]

Hei, thanks a lot for this very nice tutorial. One question: Did I interpret "TransitNetworkTemplate.xml" correctly, that the field ROAD_CLASS needs to be populated with 1 (explicitly wheelchair accessible) 2, (explicitly not wheelchair accessible) and any other value for "accessible and NOT restricted"?
Thx a lot and best regards

[@esri_arcgis]

Hello, I think you may be confusing two different concepts. The ROAD_CLASS field in the Streets feature class describes the type of road - highways, local roads, etc. There is a table of the supported road class values here: pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/analysis/networks/setting-directions.htm. Your Streets feature class needs to have a field called ROAD_CLASS or it will not work with the provided "TransitNetworkTemplate.xml" template correctly. If you don’t know the road class for the streets you can just calculate them all to 1 to treat them as local roads. The wheelchair codes you’re referring to are in the Stops and StopsOnStreets feature classes, as described in the public transit data model: pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/analysis/networks/transit-data-model.htm. The GWheelchairBoarding fields are usually populated from the input GTFS data automatically, and they use the 0, 1, and 2 code values you mentioned. See also the GWheelchairAccessible field in the Runs table. If you want to restrict certain features in the Streets feature class as inaccessible for wheelchair users, you will need to manually configure this, as it is not included by default in the provided template. The provided template only handles wheelchair restrictions in the transit stops and lines and not on the streets. If you need further help, contact Esri Support or leave a question in the Esri Community forums: community.esri.com/t5/public-transit-questions/bd-p/public-transit-questions

[@dcthomp]

after creating the ND from the template, i got an output but the entire area is also covered by a "dirty area" polygon

[@esri_arcgis]

That is correct. When you create or edit a network dataset, the edited area is “dirty” until you run the Build Network tool to incorporate the changes. The video was created with ArcGIS Pro 2.9, and we made some changes to the network dataset symbology in subsequent releases of ArcGIS Pro. We did not previously have a way to see dirty areas, but now they appear by default. So, you’re seeing the correct behavior, even though it may look a little different from the video.

[@amirhoseinshabrang3408]

I don't have a template xml file for my case and I don't know what should I do to build my network dataset .. could you please help me ?

[@MrAgreeandDisagree]

You'll find it in the data which is provided as part of the written tutorial: pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/analysis/networks/create-and-use-a-network-dataset-with-public-transit-data.htm

[@kiwiflix954]

Hi, where I can find TransitNetworkTemplate.xml template?

[@saraford4112]

Where do you find the xml template to use this feature?

[@esri_arcgis]

The template is included in the Network Analyst tutorial data, which you can download from links.esri.com/NetworkAnalyst/TutorialData/Pro.

[@siegward-of-catarina]

Hi, is there also the opportunity to add polygons (e.g., lakes) as areas to Access?

[@esri_arcgis]

If I understand your question correctly, you would like to do a Service Area analysis (or other network analysis) to calculate access to polygon facilities, like lakes, or maybe parks. Network Analyst requires the inputs to be points, so you need to convert your polygon to a representative point. You could use the centroid, or if it's large, use several points to represent points of access. TH-cam comments aren't a great place to give detailed support for a question like this, so if you need further help or if I haven't understood your question correctly, please post it, with more detail, in the Esri Community forums at community.esri.com/t5/public-transit-questions/bd-p/public-transit-questions or call Esri Support.

[@jackyaoliangli8691]

How do I create a restrictpedestrains field ?

[@esri_arcgis]

To create a field, you can use the Add Field tool (pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/tool-reference/data-management/add-field.htm) or use the Fields View (pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/data/geodatabases/overview/create-modify-and-delete-fields.htm). If you’re asking how to populate the field with appropriate values, that really depends on what data you have. You should put a value of “N” if the feature is not restricted to pedestrians (pedestrians are allowed) or a value of “Y” if the feature is restricted (pedestrians are not allowed). If you don’t have any more specific information, you could make a good guess by calculating the field using a road class field. Pedestrians typically can’t walk on highways, but they can walk on local roads.

[@nadiaqamilla4872]

Hi Team, thanks for providing the tutorial, it surely is helpful. However i have an error as i perform the Network Dataset From Template tool using the provided xml template on the tutorial page. After i run the tool, it shows error note:
ERROR 030168: The network dataset cannot be created from template xml file.
Need help to resolve this issue as I have followed each step corresponding to the tutorial. Thanks!

[@nadiaqamilla4872]

In the Message, it says that:
The following network sources are missing in the given output feature dataset:
Streets

[@esri_arcgis]

@@nadiaqamilla4872 In order to use the provided template, you must have a feature class in the feature dataset called “Streets”. Please add that feature class or rename your feature class if it has a different name, and the template should work.

[@nadiaqamilla4872]

@@esri_arcgis thanks! It works now. I'm currently doing the Service Area analysis and set the cutoffs with 30 and 60 mins. However, looking at the polygon result, it seems that it's significantly different as what I'm experiencing using the corresponding service (Transjakarta in Jakarta, Indonesia). I assume that I could reach further distances in given timeframe. May I know the logic behind this? Is it because of the waiting time due to headway, or is it based on vehicle speed and can I make changes to this? I didn't find anything mentioning the vehicle speed on the tutorial. Thanks in advance -- kindly awaiting for your response.

[@esri_arcgis]

@@nadiaqamilla4872 Sorry for the delay in response. It’s hard for us to provide detailed technical support here because we don’t receive notification of new comments and have to jump through some hoops to post responses. For transit-based service areas, the analysis results are highly dependent on the time of day used for the start time (and if no time of day is used, you’ll get a walking-only result). It’s also possible that your street connectivity isn’t configured correctly or something else is wrong. If you need more detailed help, please reach out to Esri’s tech support or post a comment in the Esri Community forum at community.esri.com/t5/public-transit-questions/bd-p/public-transit-questions.