OpenStreetMap for Network Analyses in ArcGIS

The usage of free geodata like OpenStreetMap (OSM) is becoming more and more popular because there are many fields of application. For the first time, there is an application which converts OSM data to ArcGIS transportation networks. These transportation networks can be used in ArcGIS to perform network analyses with the extension Network Analyst. This application was developed by Eva Peters for her bachelor thesis in Cartography and Geomatics in collaboration with ESRI Deutschland GmbH.

This program “OSM2NetworkDataset” was designed to generate transportation networks for any mode of transportation and any region. The generated networks use OSM attributes such as restrictions, one-way roads, turn restrictions, point barriers, and maximum speed. The path can be chosen with user defined average speed settings based on the shortest distance or shortest time. The user can generate network datasets based on individual settings, which is a big advantage and opens many fields of application.

First, the application builds a geodatabase which contains a network dataset. Then a map document is created. This map document is ready to perform network analyses.

The application was written in Java and uses the Java library ArcObjects. It can be used on ArcGIS 9.3.1 and ArcGIS 10.

By using the Network Analyst of ArcGIS, a route can be calculated on the generated transportation network. Furthermore, service areas and location studies can be performed.

The created networks are comparable with other network analysis services. The data is adequate for applications like car, bicycle, and pedestrian routing. This is due to the fact that the data is collected in the perspective of motorcar drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

In April 2011, the application will be published on 52North in the community “Geoprocessing”. Everyone who is interested in further developing the application is invited to join the community.