| Abstract: |
At 9.3, ArcGIS offers two potential solutions for working with vehicle routing. ArcGIS Network Analyst is a powerful extension that provides network-based spatial analysis including routing, travel directions, closest facility, and service area analysis. Using the sophisticated network data model in ArcGIS Network Analyst, users can easily build networks from their geographic information system (GIS) data and dynamically model realistic network conditions. ArcLogistics is a stand-alone end user application designed to solve vehicle routing and scheduling problems, enabling users to create and manage sets of routes for their fleets of vehicles. ArcLogistics can be used to geocode stops; optimize routes and schedules; and output maps, directions, and reports. ArcLogistics assigns customers to vehicles and determines the optimal stop sequences to minimize costs and honor time windows. Routes are built based on actual network drive times (not straight-line distances), several vehicle characteristics, and characteristics of customer orders. Recommended for users with vehicle routing and analysis needs. |