Make Closest Facility Layer—Help

Available with Network Analyst license.

Summary
Usage
Syntax
Code sample
Environments
Licensing information

Summary

Makes a closest facility network analysis layer and sets its analysis properties. A closest facility analysis layer is useful in determining the closest facility or facilities to an incident based on a specified network cost.

Note:

The Find Closest Facilities and Make Closest Facility Layer tools are similar, but they are designed for different purposes. Use Find Closest Facilities if you are setting up a geoprocessing service; it simplifies the setup process; otherwise, use Make Closest Facility Layer.

To create a closest facility geoprocessing service using Find Closest Facilities, you only need to set up one tool, and you can publish the tool directly as a service. In contrast, you need to create a model with the Make Closest Facility Layer tool, properly connect it to various other tools, and publish the model to create a closest-facility geoprocessing service. See Overview of the Network Analyst geoprocessing service examples to learn how to set up a closest facility service using tutorial data. One other option to consider is the ArcGIS Online Closest Facility service. It is a service that runs like a geoprocessing tool within ArcMap, can be accessed from other applications, and includes high-quality road data for much of the world.

Usage

After creating the analysis layer with this tool, you can add network analysis objects to it using the Add Locations tool, solve the analysis using the Solve tool, and save the results on disk using the Save To Layer File tool.
When using this tool in geoprocessing models, if the model is run as a tool, the output network analysis layer must be made a model parameter; otherwise, the output layer is not added to the contents of the map.

Syntax

MakeClosestFacilityLayer_na (in_network_dataset, out_network_analysis_layer, impedance_attribute, {travel_from_to}, {default_cutoff}, {default_number_facilities_to_find}, {accumulate_attribute_name}, {UTurn_policy}, {restriction_attribute_name}, {hierarchy}, {hierarchy_settings}, {output_path_shape}, {time_of_day}, {time_of_day_usage})

Parameter	Explanation	Data Type
in_network_dataset	The network dataset on which the closest facility analysis will be performed.	Network Dataset Layer
out_network_analysis_layer	Name of the closest facility network analysis layer to create.	String
impedance_attribute	The cost attribute to be used as impedance in the analysis.	String
travel_from_to (Optional)	Specifies the direction of travel between facilities and incidents. TRAVEL_FROM —Direction of travel is from facilities to incidents. TRAVEL_TO —Direction of travel is from incidents to facilities. Using this option can find different facilities on a network with one-way restrictions and different impedances based on direction of travel. For instance, a facility may be a 10-minute drive from the incident while traveling from the incident to the facility, but while traveling from the facility to the incident, it may be a 15-minute journey because of different travel time in that direction. Fire departments commonly use the TRAVEL_FROM setting since they are concerned with the time it takes to travel from the fire station (facility) to the location of the emergency (incident). A retail store (facility) is more concerned with the time it takes the shoppers (incidents) to reach the store; therefore, stores commonly use the TRAVEL_TO option.	String
default_cutoff (Optional)	Default impedance value at which to stop searching for facilities for a given incident. The default can be overridden by specifying the cutoff value on incidents when the TRAVEL_TO option is used or by specifying the cutoff value on facilities when the TRAVEL_FROM option is used.	Double
default_number_facilities_to_find (Optional)	Default number of closest facilities to find per incident. The default can be overridden by specifying a value for the TargetFacilityCount property on the incidents.	Long
accumulate_attribute_name [accumulate_attribute_name,...] (Optional)	List of cost attributes to be accumulated during analysis. These accumulation attributes are purely for reference; the solver only uses the cost attribute specified by the Impedance attribute parameter to calculate the route. For each cost attribute that is accumulated, a Total_[Impedance] property is added to the routes that are output by the solver.	String
UTurn_policy (Optional)	The U-Turn policy at junctions. Allowing U-turns implies the solver can turn around at a junction and double back on the same street. Given that junctions represent street intersections and dead ends, different vehicles may be able to turn around at some junctions but not at others—it depends on whether the junction represents an intersection or dead end. To accommodate, the U-turn policy parameter is implicitly specified by how many edges connect to the junction, which is known as junction valency. The acceptable values for this parameter are listed below; each is followed by a description of its meaning in terms of junction valency. ALLOW_UTURNS —U-turns are permitted at junctions with any number of connected edges. This is the default value. NO_UTURNS —U-turns are prohibited at all junctions, regardless of junction valency. Note, however, that U-turns are still permitted at network locations even when this setting is chosen; however, you can set the individual network locations' CurbApproach property to prohibit U-turns there as well. ALLOW_DEAD_ENDS_ONLY —U-turns are prohibited at all junctions, except those that have only one adjacent edge (a dead end). ALLOW_DEAD_ENDS_AND_INTERSECTIONS_ONLY —U-turns are prohibited at junctions where exactly two adjacent edges meet but are permitted at intersections (junctions with three or more adjacent edges) and dead ends (junctions with exactly one adjacent edge). Oftentimes, networks have extraneous junctions in the middle of road segments. This option prevents vehicles from making U-turns at these locations. Tip: If you need a more precisely defined U-turn policy, consider adding a global turn delay evaluator to a network cost attribute, or adjusting its settings if one exists, and pay particular attention to the configuration of reverse turns. Also, look at setting the CurbApproach property of your network locations.	String
restriction_attribute_name [restriction_attribute_name,...] (Optional)	List of restriction attributes to apply during the analysis.	String
hierarchy (Optional)	USE_HIERARCHY — Use the hierarchy attribute for the analysis. Using a hierarchy results in the solver preferring higher-order edges to lower-order edges. Hierarchical solves are faster, and they can be used to simulate the preference of a driver who chooses to travel on freeways over local roads when possible—even if that means a longer trip. This option is valid only if the input network dataset has a hierarchy attribute. NO_HIERARCHY —Do not use the hierarchy attribute for the analysis. Not using a hierarchy yields an exact route for the network dataset. The parameter is not used if a hierarchy attribute is not defined on the network dataset used to perform the analysis. In such cases, use "#" as the parameter value.	Boolean
hierarchy_settings (Optional)	Legacy: Prior to version 10, this parameter allowed you to change the hierarchy ranges for your analysis from the default hierarchy ranges established in the network dataset. At version 10, this parameter is no longer supported and should be specified as an empty string. If you wish to change the hierarchy ranges for your analysis, update the default hierarchy ranges in the network dataset.	Network Analyst Hierarchy Settings
output_path_shape (Optional)	Specifies the shape type for the route features that are output by the analysis. TRUE_LINES_WITH_MEASURES —The output routes will have the exact shape of the underlying network sources. Furthermore, the output includes route measurements for linear referencing. The measurements increase from the first stop and record the cumulative impedance to reach a given position. TRUE_LINES_WITHOUT_MEASURES —The output routes will have the exact shape of the underlying network sources. STRAIGHT_LINES —The output route shape will be a single straight line between each paired incident and facility. NO_LINES —No shape will be generated for the output routes. No matter which output shape type is chosen, the best route is always determined by the network impedance, never Euclidean distance. This means only the route shapes are different, not the underlying traversal of the network.	String
time_of_day (Optional)	Specifies the time and date at which the routes should begin or end. The interpretation of this value depends on whether Time of Day Usage is set to START_TIME or END_TIME. If you have chosen a traffic-based impedance attribute, the solution will be generated given dynamic traffic conditions at the time of day specified here. A date and time can be specified as 5/14/2012 10:30 AM. Instead of using a particular date, a day of the week can be specified using the following dates. Today—12/30/1899 Sunday—12/31/1899 Monday—1/1/1900 Tuesday—1/2/1900 Wednesday—1/3/1900 Thursday—1/4/1900 Friday—1/5/1900 Saturday—1/6/1900 For example, to specify that travel should begin at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, specify the parameter value as 1/2/1900 5:00 PM.	Date
time_of_day_usage (Optional)	Indicates whether the value of the Time of Day parameter represents the arrival or departure time for the route or routes. START_TIME —Time of Day is interpreted as the departure time from the facility or incident.When START_TIME is chosen, Time of Day indicates the solver should find the best route given a departure time. NOT_USED can be chosen if a value isn't specified in the Time of Day parameter. END_TIME —Time of Day is interpreted as the arrival time at the facility or incident. This option is useful if you want to know what time to depart from a location so that you arrive at the destination at the time specified in Time of Day. NOT_USED —When Time of Day doesn't have a value, NOT_USED is the only choice. When Time of Day has a value, NOT_USED isn't available.	String

Code sample

MakeClosestFacilityLayer example 1 (Python window)

Execute the tool using only the required parameters.

network = "C:/Data/SanFrancisco.gdb/Transportation/Streets_ND"
arcpy.na.MakeClosestFacilityLayer(network, "ClosestFireStations", "TravelTime")

MakeClosestFacilityLayer example 2 (Python window)

Execute the tool using all parameters.

network = "C:/Data/SanFrancisco.gdb/Transportation/Streets_ND"
arcpy.na.MakeClosestFacilityLayer(network, "ClosestHospitals", "TravelTime",
                                    "TRAVEL_TO", 5 ,3, ["Meters", "TravelTime"],
                                    "ALLOW_UTURNS", ["Oneway"], "USE_HIERARCHY",
                                    "", "TRUE_LINES_WITH_MEASURES")

MakeClosestFacilityLayer example 3 (workflow)

The following stand-alone Python script demonstrates how the MakeClosestFacilityLayer tool can be used to find the closest warehouse from the store locations.

# Name: MakeClosestFacilityLayer_Workflow.py
# Description: Find the closest warehouse from the store locations and save the
#              results to a layer file on disk.
# Requirements: Network Analyst Extension

#Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
import os

try:
    #Check out the Network Analyst extension license
    arcpy.CheckOutExtension("Network")

    #Set environment settings
    env.workspace = r"C:/data/Paris.gdb"
    env.overwriteOutput = True

    #Set local variables
    inNetworkDataset = r"Transportation/ParisMultimodal_ND"
    outNALayerName = "ClosestWarehouse"
    impedanceAttribute = "Drivetime"
    accumulateAttributeName = ["Meters"]
    inFacilities = r"Analysis/Warehouses"
    inIncidents = r"Analysis/Stores"
    outLayerFile = os.path.join(r"C:/data/output", outNALayerName + ".lyr")

    #Create a new closest facility analysis layer. Apart from finding the drive
    #time to the closest warehouse, we also want to find the total distance. So
    #we will accumulate the "Meters" impedance attribute.
    NAResultObject = arcpy.na.MakeClosestFacilityLayer(inNetworkDataset,outNALayerName,
                                                   impedanceAttribute,"TRAVEL_TO",
                                                   "",1, accumulateAttributeName,
                                                   "NO_UTURNS")

    #Get the layer object from the result object. The closest facility layer can
    #now be referenced using the layer object.
    outNALayer = NAResultObject.getOutput(0)

    #Get the names of all the sublayers within the closest facility layer.
    subLayerNames = arcpy.na.GetNAClassNames(outNALayer)
    #Stores the layer names that we will use later
    facilitiesLayerName = subLayerNames["Facilities"]
    incidentsLayerName = subLayerNames["Incidents"]

    #Load the warehouses as Facilities using the default field mappings and
    #search tolerance
    arcpy.na.AddLocations(outNALayer, facilitiesLayerName, inFacilities, "", "")

    #Load the Stores as Incidents. Map the Name property from the NOM field
    #using field mappings
    fieldMappings = arcpy.na.NAClassFieldMappings(outNALayer, incidentsLayerName)
    fieldMappings["Name"].mappedFieldName = "NOM"
    arcpy.na.AddLocations(outNALayer, incidentsLayerName, inIncidents,
                          fieldMappings,"")

    #Solve the closest facility layer
    arcpy.na.Solve(outNALayer)

    #Save the solved closest facility layer as a layer file on disk with
    #relative paths
    arcpy.management.SaveToLayerFile(outNALayer,outLayerFile,"RELATIVE")

    print "Script completed successfully"

except Exception as e:
    # If an error occurred, print line number and error message
    import traceback, sys
    tb = sys.exc_info()[2]
    print "An error occured on line %i" % tb.tb_lineno
    print str(e)

Environments

Current Workspace

Licensing information

ArcGIS Desktop Basic: Yes
ArcGIS Desktop Standard: Yes
ArcGIS Desktop Advanced: Yes