GenerateDirectionsFeatures

Summary

Creates a feature class of route lines on the map and corresponding text directions generated by solving a network analysis layer. The output can be modified using the StreetDirectionProperties object of the network analysis layer.

Discussion

The Network Analyst Route, Vehicle Routing Problem, and Closest Facility solvers produce on-street routes as output and offer the option of creating turn-by-turn text directions describing those routes. GenerateDirectionsFeatures allows you to produce those text directions as a feature class that pairs each piece of the text direction with a corresponding line feature on the map.

You can modify the output of the directions, such as the language, style, and units, by using the StreetDirectionProperties settings on the network analysis layer.

Directions can only be generated from network analysis layers of type route, vehicle routing problem, or closest facility because only these layer types support routes and directions. Additionally, the network dataset used by the analysis layer must be configured for directions.

Syntax

GenerateDirectionsFeatures (network_analyst_layer, {catalog_path}, {schema_only}, {configuration_keyword})

Parameter	Explanation	Data Type
network_analyst_layer	A variable that references a layer object obtained from a network analysis layer. It can be derived from existing layers in a map document or by specifying the catalog path to the network analysis layer file as an argument to the Layer class. The isNetworkAnalystLayer property on the Layer object can be used to identify whether a given layer object is a network analysis layer. The analysis layer solver type must be route, vehicle routing problem, or closest facility because directions support is required. Also, the network dataset used by the analysis layer must be configured for directions.	Layer
catalog_path	The catalog path to the output directions feature class. (The default value is in_memory\Directions)	String
schema_only	Indicates whether to only generate an empty directions feature class or to also populate it with direction features. (The default value is False)	Boolean
configuration_keyword	The configuration keyword of the output directions feature class. (The default value is None)	String

Return Value

Data Type	Explanation
String	The catalog path to the output directions feature class.

Code sample

GenerateDirectionsFeatures example (workflow)

Gets a route layer object and generates directions from it.

#Get the route layer object from a layer named "Route" in
#the table of contents
RouteLayer = arcpy.mapping.Layer("Route")

#Generate directions features and save them to disk.
arcpy.na.GenerateDirectionsFeatures(RouteLayer,
                                        r'C:\Data\Directions.gdb\RouteDirections')