Creating a Routable Network

OS MasterMap Highways contains the information needed to build network data sets taking into consideration the features that control where we can drive such as one-way streets, no entry etc. The data can be used to create routes for emergency response, refuse collection or delivering goods. Adding the Path data set extends the network capabilities allowing you to generate walking routes and look at access to services such as schools and health practices.

Tips for Success: Popular Routing Software Packages

There are a number of options for use in routing and some systems will have this built in. The most popular across the Public Sector are:

• RouteFinder – Produced by a 3rd party to provide a routing engine for MapInfo Pro. Has a translator which supports Highways.

• Network Analyst – The beta version in ArcGIS Pro provides support for Highways.

• pgRouting – An open-source routing extension to PostGreSQL/PostGIS. Results can be displayed in any software that can supports the database however QGIS has tools for this.

• CadCorp MapModeller – Has a built-in routing engine with support for Highways.

Use cases

• Emergency Service command and dispatch

• Routes to school

• Public transport planning

• Optimising waste collection

• Service reviews and optimisation

Tips for success: Popular routing software packages

There are a number of options for use in routing and some systems will have this built it. The most popular across the Public Sector are:

• RouteFinder – Produced by a 3rd party to provide a routing engine for MapInfo Pro. Has a translator which supports Highways.

• Network Analyst – The beta version in ArcGIS Pro provides support for Highways.

• pgRouting – An open-source routing extension to PostGreSQL/PostGIS. Results can be displayed in any software that can supports the database however QGIS has tools for this.

• CadCorp MapModeller – Has a built-in routing engine with support for Highways.

What You Will Need

Data

• RAMI Specification

• Roadlink

• Roadnode

• TurnRestrictions

• AccessRestrictions

• FerryLink

• FerryNode

• Hazards

• Structures

And to go one step further:

• Path Specification

• PathLink

• PathNode

• ConnectingLink

• ConnectingNode

Software

• Translation software is required to convert data from GML into your chosen format. FME workbenches are available on GitHub to help with this.

• Data storage – once translated the data will need to be stored in a format compatible with your systems, this may be on your file system as a shape file, geopackage or tab file or in a database.

• Routing application to perform the routing analysis and display the results in a meaningful way.

Steps to Success: Creating a Routable Network

1. Using your preferred method translate the GML, this will also depend on the routing application used, some have their own translators.

2. Build a routable network – your software will have tools to do this for incorporating the restrictions etc. For pgRouting a useful guide can be found here - https://github.com/mixedbredie/highways-for-pgrouting.

3. Add additional information to your network such as road speed.

Additional Steps

You can enhance this output even further with the addition of PathLinks to make a walking network. Add these to the RoadLinks to create a new data set and then use the same steps to create a network.