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How to run travel time analysis

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Travel time analysis helps you determine how far you can travel within a specific time to a location. This is useful for urban planning, logistics, emergency response, and site selection.

With Atlas, you can run a Travel Time Analysis on any geometry layer (points, polygons, or lines). However, the calculation is always based on the center point of the geometry.


Step 1: Add or Create a Dataset

Before running a travel time analysis, you need a dataset with locations to measure travel time to.

Option 1: Upload an Existing Dataset

  1. Click Add Data in the top-left corner.
  2. Upload your dataset (GeoJSON, Shapefile, or CSV) containing the locations you want to analyze.

Option 2: Create a New Layer with Geometries

  1. Go to the Upper-Left Toolbar.
  2. Click Drawing, then choose a geometry type (e.g., points, polygons).
  3. Draw on the Map:
    • Click to place points.
    • Click multiple times to create a polygon, then double-click or press Enter to finish.
  4. A new layer will be created automatically when you finish drawing.

Step 2: Open the Travel Time Analysis Tool

  1. Go to the Right-Side Panel.
  2. Under Data Actions, find Tools and Workflows.
  3. Select Travel Time Analysis.

Step 3: Configure the Analysis

  1. Select the Input Dataset

    • Choose the geometry layer you uploaded or created.
    • Note: Travel time will be calculated to the center point of each geometry.
  2. Select a Travel Mode

    • Driving: Estimates travel time based on road networks.
    • Driving with Traffic: Factors in real-time or historical traffic conditions.
    • Walking: Uses pedestrian-friendly paths.
    • Cycling: Follows bike-friendly routes.
  3. Choose the Travel Time

    • Select a specific time between 1 minute and 1 hour.
    • The tool will calculate reachable areas within that exact time.

Step 4: Run the Travel Time Analysis

  1. Click Run Analysis to generate the travel time areas.
  2. The tool will create a new layer representing areas reachable within the selected time.

Step 5: Style and Analyze the Results

  1. Customize the Appearance

    • Open Standard Styling to change:
      • Fill Color: Choose a color to represent the travel area.
      • Opacity: Adjust transparency for better visibility.
  2. Overlay Additional Data (Optional)

    • Add layers such as demographics, infrastructure, or competitor locations to compare accessibility.

Step 6: Share or Export Your Analysis

  1. Export the Map as a PDF or PNG

    • Click Export to download the map as a PDF or PNG file for reports or presentations.
  2. Share the Map

    • Generate a shareable link to send to others.
    • Share directly with your workspace for team collaboration.
    • Add collaborators to give editing or viewing access.
    • Embed the map on a website or another page for easy access.

Practical Applications of Travel Time Analysis

  • Urban Planning: Evaluate public transport and walkability.
  • Retail and Business: Analyze store service areas.
  • Emergency Response: Identify hospitals, fire stations, or police stations within reach.
  • Logistics & Deliveries: Optimize delivery zones.

Tips for Running Travel Time Analysis

  • You Can Use Any Geometry Layer: Points, polygons, or lines all work—travel time is always measured to the center point.
  • Choose the Right Travel Mode: Traffic conditions affect driving estimates, while walking and cycling reach different areas.
  • Test Different Time Options: Try 10, 30, or 60 minutes to compare accessibility.
  • Overlay Data for More Insights: Combine results with demographic, business, or infrastructure layers.

The Travel Time Tool in Atlas makes it easy to analyze accessibility and coverage areas for smarter decision-making. Try it today!