Tuesday, April 13, 2010

4/13 Update

I visited Ken today to help me with ArcGIS. Below are my notes for setting up a route between 2 points using ArcMap.

-Download files from PASDA->open in ArcCatalogue->drag the file into 'layers' in ArcMap

-Use the select tool to select part of the map (the whole map will take too long to process)

-In the layer window->selection tab:
Right click
Create layer from selected features
Clear selected features(this is a button on the right toolbar)
To save this, right-click -> data -> export data

-Create address Locator
A.L.Style: US Streets w/ zone
Ref. Data: teststreet
Role: Primary table ->press OK

-Geocode Addresses
Input table->we need to make one
New excel file: 2 columns, address + zip. Enter 2 rows, arbitrary values
Save as CSV (we called it adds.csv)
*Note: don't share data files between programs. ArcGIS doesn't like that
Refresh ArcCatalogue (right click)
Drag adds file to layers (under source tab)
Right click->open
Back to geocode address->input table = adds
Input Address Locator the one we made -> has 2 points from the 2 rows in adds.
Use the 'i' tool to identify

Note: you can use Tools->geocoding->rematch addresses if adds are out of date

Network Analyst
Toolbar(view->status bar->networkanalyst)
To turn on: tools->extensions->check the box next to 'network analyst'

For more info: click Help->network analyst->workflow description

In catalog: street test-> new network dataset
Impedance = length
Click OK->creates a streetstest_ND file
Move the 2 ND files from catalog to streetfile layer
New route->route->load locations->add ouradds
Finally click the solve button

Just plotting down 2 points and creating a route between them took over 40 minutes. This was without python scripting, or moving the dots at all.

Screenshot:

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Progress Report 4/12

-Received 2 documents from Ken about Agent Analyst. I have a pretty clear idea on what Agent Analyst does now, it's just the implementation part that I'm still a bit lost on. The tutorials I've worked on give a basic sense of how to create an agent, but I haven't found any that would help my figure out how to create agents that visibly move across a map. These are the ones I've been working through. The Schelling GIS tutorial seems close to what I am looking for, since it involves agents on a map, but they aren't displayed individually, and the tutorial provides a pre-made file to load rather than guide the user in creating the agents and their movements. So far I've only found 3 tutorials---it seems that support for AgentAnalyst is quite limited, which is a bit frustrating.

I was able to download a world street file from the esri website (here), so it seems that PASDA will not be needed for now.

If Agent Analyst does not work, I've compiled some other programs to consider:

1. Attempt to place object on a layer in ArcMap, and manipulate it along a street using Python script. I've emailed Ken about the probability of this alternative. Right now I'm waiting on a reply.

2. I found a version of Repast that integrates with eclipse (Repast Symphony). It seems like there is a lot more support for it than Agent Analyst. I'm already looking through tutorials. This is probably the best alternative if the above does not work.

Friday, April 9, 2010

4/9 Progress Report

-Got Agent Analyst/Repast to work with ArcMap by using the Legacy version.
-Worked through tutorials to familiarize with the program
-Currently I got Agent Analyst to run within ArcMap and modify its map contents (see below)



Simple vector model of Chicago in Schelling tutorial by Arika Ligmann-Zielinska, Ph.D. Associate, San Diego State University


-It is possible to create agents using RepastPy, but making them display on the map is still in question (most likely possible though)

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

selfnote: http://www.institute.redlands.edu/agentanalyst/tutorials.aspx

Sunday, April 4, 2010

4/2 Meeting Recap

-Simulation will be one which people exit building during a fire drill.
-Blockades will be place along routes in order to force agents to navigate detours.
-Possibility of redefining my part of the project if Python scripting for ArcGIS doesn't work out


Some updates:

-Emailed Ken about executable jar file error for Agent Analyst/Repast. Seems like
it is indeed an incompatibility issue. He might be able to find version 9.2 for ArcGIS (which should run with Repast/AA)

-Links to check out:
http://repast.sourceforge.net/
http://forums.esri.com/Thread.asp?c=93&f=983&t=288747

Happy Easter!!