Realign routes

Available with Location Referencing license.

During the life span of a roadway, route geometry and length can change. Route sections are updated while others are added. Major changes, such as environmental concerns or repair work, can require an update in the shape of the route's geometry and length.

ArcGIS Roads and Highways uses centerlines to do realignment. The Realign Route tool can be used to realign a single route or to realign several adjoining routes that are part of the same line.

Centerline features used to realign routes can be existing features in the centerline feature class, be digitized into the centerline feature class (using aerial photography or other basemaps for guidance), be copied and pasted from other feature classes, or be imported from CAD files or other ArcGIS-supported data sources.

The following table explains the parameters used in the Realign Route tool:

VariableContinuous Measure network

Network

The network in which the continuous routes exist.

Effective Date

The date when the realignment takes place on the ground.

Source Route: Route ID

The route where the realignment takes place.

Source Route: From measure

The measure on the source route where the realignment starts, shown by the green dot.

Source Route: To measure

The measure on the source route where the realignment ends, shown by the red dot.

Realigned Route: From measure

The starting measure on the realigned portion.

Realigned Route: To measure

The ending measure on the realigned portion.

Route realignment scenario

In the following example, the route (RouteXYZ) has a start measure of 0 and an end measure of 30 before realignment. The realign section has measures from 10 to 20.

Example 1: Before realign

Route IDRouteXYZ

From Measure

10

To Measure

20

Recalibrate downstream

Yes

After realignment, the realigned section has measures from 10 to 35, while the entire route has measures from 0 to 45.

Example 1: After realign

Route IDRouteXYZ

From Measure

10

To Measure

35

Complex route realignment scenarios

Route realignment scenarios for complex loop, lollipop, gapped, branch, and infinity routes are described below.

Realign a loop route

The route is realigned from measure 0 to measure 4, which is from the beginning to the middle of the route. In the following example, RouteX has a start measure of 0 and an end measure of 12 before realignment:

Example 1: Input for realign on a loop route

With downstream recalibration, the realignment results in a RouteX start measure of 0 and end measure of 17.5.

Example 1: Output for realign on a loop route

Realign a lollipop route

RouteX is realigned from measure 8 to measure 15. In the following example, RouteX has a start measure of 0 and an end measure of 15 before realignment:

Example 1: Input for realign on a lollipop route

Because the realignment is from the middle to the end, downstream recalibration does not apply. RouteX is realigned with a start measure of 0 and an end measure of 17.

Example 1: Output for realign on a lollipop route

Realign a gapped route

In the following example, a gapped route (RouteX) has a start measure of 0 and an end measure of 4 before realignment. The route is realigned from measure 1 to measure 3, which is in the middle of the route.

Example 1: Input for realign on a gapped route

With downstream recalibration, the realignment will result in a RouteX start measure of 0 and an end measure of 12.

Example 1: Output for realign on a gapped route

Realign an infinity route

In the following example, a route (RouteX) has a start measure of 0 and an end measure of 24 before realignment. The route is realigned from measure 7 to measure 11, which is in the middle of the route.

Example 1: Input for realign on an infinite route

With downstream recalibration, RouteX has a start measure of 0 and an end measure of 26.

Example 1: Output for realign on an infinite route

Realign a branch route

In the following example, RouteX has a start measure of 0 and an end measure of 9 before realignment in the middle:

Example 1: Input for realign on a branch route

With downstream recalibration, the realigned RouteX has a start measure of 0 and an end measure of 12.

Example 1: Output for realign on a branch route

Use the following steps to realign routes:

Note:

Gap calibration rules are followed when editing routes.

  1. Add the centerline and network feature class to a map.

    Alternatively, open a map in which the centerline and network feature class are present.

    Note:

    The information model expects only one centerline at any given location. Ensure that the centerlines you're using for your edit do not overlap other centerlines in the LRS.

    Note:

    Traditionally versioned networks must be edited through a direct connection to the geodatabase. Branch versioned networks, including networks configured with a user-generated route ID, must be edited through a feature service.

  2. Zoom in to the location where you want to realign the route.

    Note:

    The centerline feature for realigning the route must exist in the centerline feature class before realigning the route.

  3. On the Location Referencing tab, in the Routes group, click Realign Realign.
    Realign button

    The Realign Route pane appears with the Select By Rectangle option Select By Rectangle selected by default.

  4. Select one or more centerlines by rectangle at the location of the new route.

    You can also click the Select one or more centerlines drop-down arrow and choose one of the other selection tools: Select By Polygon Select by Polygon, Select By Lasso Select by Lasso, Select By Circle Select by Circle, Select By Line Select by Line, or Select By Trace Select By Trace.

    Alternatively, use the interactive selection tools on the Map tab on the ArcGIS Pro ribbon:

    The selected centerlines are highlighted on the map and the Allow choosing of one or more centerlines button Allow choosing of one or more centerlines appears in the Realign Route pane. The Selected Centerlines count is shown above the table.

    Note:
    • The direction of digitization of the centerline, depicted by the direction of the arrowhead on the selected centerline, also determines the direction of increasing measure calibration. You can reverse direction for the chosen centerlines using the Flip the direction of the centerlines button Flip the direction of the centerlines.
    • You can keep the chosen centerlines after realigning the route.
    • If the centerline was created as a curve, Roads and Highways converts the curve into a densified polyline feature.
  5. Click the Allow choosing of one or more centerlines button Allow choosing of one or more centerlines.

    A table appears in the Realign Route pane with each chosen centerline in a numbered row that corresponds to the selection order. Chosen centerlines are numbered on the map and highlighted. The Chosen Centerlines count is shown below the table.

    Realign Route pane
  6. Optionally, choose one or more rows from the Order column and use the buttons below the table to change the centerline selection order. You can also drag rows to change the order.

    Changes in the table selection order are also shown on the map.

    Tools available in the centerlines table

    ToolTool nameTool description
    Allow choosing of one or more centerlines

    Allow choosing of one or more centerlines

    Allows you to choose the centerlines on the map and displays them in a table by order of selection. Use the move buttons below the table or drag rows to reorder the chosen centerlines.

    Clear the currently chosen centerlines

    Clear the currently chosen centerlines

    Clears the chosen centerlines and keeps the selected centerlines. You can reselect after clicking this button or click the Allow choosing one or more centerlines button a second time.

    Move chosen centerlines up

    Move chosen centerlines up

    Moves one or more selected centerlines up a row in the table order.

    Move chosen centerlines to the top

    Move chosen centerlines to the top

    Moves one or more centerlines to the top of the table order.

    Move chosen centerlines down

    Move chosen centerlines down

    Moves one or more centerlines down a row in the table order.

    Move chosen centerlines to the bottom

    Move chosen centerlines to the bottom

    Moves one or more centerlines to the bottom of the table order.

    Flip the direction of the centerlines

    Flip the direction of the centerlines

    Reverses the direction of the chosen centerlines.

    Remove the chosen centerlines

    Remove the chosen centerlines

    Removes the chosen centerline from the table order but leaves it selected.

    Tip:

    To change the display field in the centerlines table, right-click the centerline feature class in the Contents pane and choose Properties from the context menu. On the Layer Properties dialog box, click the Display tab, and click the Display field drop-down arrow to change its value. In the previous image, the display field is OBJECTID.

  7. In the Realign Route pane, choose the network in which you want to realign a route.
    Note:

    To edit using feature services, the LRS Network must be published with linear referencing and version management capabilities.

  8. Click the Effective Date drop-down arrow and choose a date for the edit.
    Tip:
    • Optionally, provide the date in the Effective Date text box.
    • Double-click the empty Effective Date text box to populate it with today's date.
  9. If the centerline touches the routes, the From Route Name, From Measure, To Route Name, and To Measure parameters in the Source Route section are autopopulated.

    If the centerline doesn't touch the route, you can use the pickers to populate the From Route Name, To Route Name, From Measure, and To Measure parameters.

    Note:

    After clicking the Choose route from map button Choose route from map or the Choose measure from map button Choose measure from map, you can hover over the route to see the route and measure at the location of the pointer.

    If only one applicable route exists at the edit location on the map, click to select it. If multiple routes are applicable, click the location and choose one of the applicable routes from the Select Route dialog box.

    You can set map scale options for the display of route and measure information on the Options dialog box, on the Location Referencing tab.

    Note:

    If a message regarding acquiring locks or reconciling appears, conflict prevention is enabled.

  10. The From Measure value in the Realigned Route section is automatically populated.

    The suggested from measure value is the measure at the location where the start of the centerline touches the source route.

    • Optionally, you can type a from measure value of your choice.
    • If you do not know the from measure, allow Roads and Highways to suggest it. Click the Recalculate From Measure button Recalculate From Measure to do this. This value is calculated as the difference between the to measure value and the geometric length of the centerline.
  11. The to measure value is automatically populated in the Realigned Route section.

    The suggested to measure value is the measure at the location where the end of the centerline touches the target route. It is calculated by the geometric length of the centerline minus the to measure.

    Note:
    • Z-values are considered when calculating the geometric length of the centerlines.
    • Centerlines and routes support z-values.
    • Optionally, you can type a to measure value of your choice.
    • If you do not know the to measure, allow Roads and Highways to suggest it. Click the Recalculate To Measure button Recalculate To Measure to do this. This value is calculated as the sum of the from measure value and the geometric length of the centerline.
  12. Click Run.
    Note:

    If your route edit will result in the introduction of one or more physical gaps on the route, a prompt appears before the tool is run. If you don't want to create a gapped route, answer No and edit the digitized centerlines so that no gaps result during route editing.

    You can prevent unplanned centerlines by enabling snapping in the active map or using the Snapping button List By Snapping in the Snapping group on the Edit tab.

    You can disable this warning by unchecking Warn before allowing route edits that can create physical gaps in the Location Referencing options.

    The route realignment runs.

Realign routes in a line network

Route realignment in a line network is supported using the following rule: The centerlines used for realignment must not touch the route being realigned.

The examples below illustrate this rule.

In the first example, the centerline touches route R1, so only route R2 can be realigned.

Example 1: Before realignment

Route IDLine Order

R1

100

R2

200

Example 1: Before realignment

The line orders are updated according to the new realignment.

Example 1: After realignment

Route IDLine Order

R1

200

R2

100

Example 1: After realignment

In this second example, the centerline touches route R2, so only route R1 can be realigned.

Example 2: Before realignment

Route IDLine Order

R1

100

R2

200

Example 2: Before realignment

Example 2: After realignment

Route IDLine Order

R1

100

R2

200

Example 2: After realignment

The line orders are updated according to the new realignment.

Use the following steps to realign routes in a line network:

  1. Add the centerline and network feature class to a map.

    Alternatively, open a map in which the centerline and network feature class are present.

    Note:

    The information model expects only one centerline at any given location. Ensure that the centerlines you're using for your edit do not overlap other centerlines in the LRS.

    Note:

    Traditionally versioned networks must be edited through a direct connection to the geodatabase. Branch versioned networks, including networks configured with a user-generated route ID, must be edited through a feature service.

  2. Zoom in to the location where you want to realign the route.

    Note:

    The centerline feature for realigning the route must exist in the centerline feature class before realigning the route.

  3. On the Location Referencing tab, in the Routes group, click Realign Realign.
    Realign button

    The Realign Route pane appears with the Select By Rectangle option Select By Rectangle selected by default.

  4. Select one or more centerlines by rectangle at the location of the new route.

    You can also click the Select one or more centerlines drop-down arrow and choose one of the other selection tools: Select By Polygon Select by Polygon, Select By Lasso Select by Lasso, Select By Circle Select by Circle, Select By Line Select by Line, or Select By Trace Select By Trace.

    Alternatively, use the interactive selection tools on the Map tab on the ArcGIS Pro ribbon:

    The selected centerlines are highlighted on the map and the Allow choosing of one or more centerlines button Allow choosing of one or more centerlines appears in the Realign Route pane. The Selected Centerlines count is shown above the table.

  5. Click the Allow choosing of one or more centerlines button Allow choosing of one or more centerlines.

    A table appears in the Realign Route pane with each chosen centerline in a numbered row that corresponds to the selection order. Chosen centerlines are numbered on the map and highlighted in dark blue. The sum of Chosen Centerlines is shown below the table.

    Realign Route pane
  6. Optionally, choose one or more rows from the Order column and use the buttons below the table to change the centerline selection order. You can also drag rows to change the order.

    Changes in the table selection order are also shown on the map.

    Tools available in the centerlines table

    ToolTool nameTool description
    Allow choosing of one or more centerlines

    Allow choosing of one or more centerlines

    Allows you to choose the centerlines on the map and displays them in a table by order of selection. Use the move buttons below the table or drag rows to reorder the chosen centerlines.

    Clear the currently chosen centerlines

    Clear the currently chosen centerlines

    Clears the chosen centerlines and keeps the selected centerlines. You can reselect after clicking this button or click the Allow choosing one or more centerlines button a second time.

    Move chosen centerlines up

    Move chosen centerlines up

    Moves one or more selected centerlines up a row in the table order.

    Move chosen centerlines to the top

    Move chosen centerlines to the top

    Moves one or more centerlines to the top of the table order.

    Move chosen centerlines down

    Move chosen centerlines down

    Moves one or more centerlines down a row in the table order.

    Move chosen centerlines to the bottom

    Move chosen centerlines to the bottom

    Moves one or more centerlines to the bottom of the table order.

    Flip the direction of the centerlines

    Flip the direction of the centerlines

    Reverses the direction of the chosen centerlines.

    Remove the chosen centerlines

    Remove the chosen centerlines

    Removes the chosen centerline from the table order but leaves it selected.

    Tip:

    To change the display field in the centerlines table, right-click the centerline feature class in the Contents pane and choose Properties from the context menu. On the Layer Properties dialog box, click the Display tab, and click the Display field drop-down arrow to change its value. In the previous image, the display field is OBJECTID.

  7. In the Realign Route pane, choose the network in which the realignment will take place.
    Note:

    To edit using feature services, the LRS Network must be published with linear referencing and version management capabilities.

  8. Click the Effective Date drop-down arrow and choose a date for the edit.
    Tip:
    • Optionally, provide the date in the Effective Date text box.
    • Double-click the empty Effective Date text box to populate it with today's date.
  9. Depending on whether the centerline touches the route, do one of the following in the Source Route section:
    • If the centerline touches the route, the From Route IDFrom Measure, and To Measure parameters in the Source Route section are autopopulated.
    • If the centerline doesn't touch the route, you can use the pickers to populate the From Route NameFrom Measure, and To Measure parameters. Additionally, you can type the measure values.
      Note:

      After clicking the Choose route from map button Choose route from map or the Choose measure from map button Choose measure from map, you can hover over the route to see the route and measure at the location of the pointer.

      If only one applicable route exists at the edit location on the map, click to select it. If multiple routes are applicable, click the location and choose one of the applicable routes from the Select Route dialog box.

      You can set map scale options for the display of route and measure information on the Options dialog box, on the Location Referencing tab.

  10. In the Realigned Route section, populate the route ID by doing one of the following:
    1. Click the Choose route from map button Choose route from map and click an existing route on the same line. The route should not be the one that the centerline touches.
    2. Type the route ID of an existing route on the same line. The route should not be the one that the centerline touches.

      If the typed route ID is not present in the data, a new route (with the typed RouteID) is created on the same line.

    Note:

    If a message regarding acquiring locks or reconciling appears, conflict prevention is enabled.

  11. The From Measure value in the Realigned Route section is automatically populated.

    The suggested from measure value is the measure at the location where the start of the centerline touches the source route. To change the suggested from measure, do one of the following:

    Note:

    The From Measure and To Measure values are not suggested if the centerline is not coincident on the source routes.

    To change the suggested from measure, do one of the following:

    • Type a From Measure value of your choice.
    • If you do not know the from measure, allow Roads and Highways to suggest it. Click the Recalculate From Measure button Recalculate From Measure.
  12. The To Measure value in the Realigned Route section is automatically populated.

    The suggested To Measure value is the measure at the location where the end of the centerline touches the target route. It is calculated by the geometric length of the centerline plus the to measure.

    To change the suggested from measure, do one of the following:

    • Type a To Measure value of your choice.
    • If you do not know the from measure, allow Roads and Highways to suggest it. Click the Recalculate To Measure button Recalculate To Measure.
  13. Click Next.

    The tool transitions to the next page, and the routes that will be retired as a result of the realignment are listed.

    Realign Route pane with list of routes to retire
  14. Click Run.
    Note:

    If your route edit will result in the introduction of one or more physical gaps on the route, a prompt appears before the tool is run. If you don't want to create a gapped route, answer No and edit the digitized centerlines so that no gaps result during route editing.

    You can prevent unplanned centerlines by enabling snapping in the active map or using the Snapping button List By Snapping in the Snapping group on the Edit tab.

    You can disable this warning by unchecking Warn before allowing route edits that can create physical gaps in the Location Referencing options.

    The route realignment is completed.