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
- Click Add Data in the top-left corner.
- Upload your dataset (GeoJSON, Shapefile, or CSV) containing the locations you want to analyze.
Option 2: Create a New Layer with Geometries
- Go to the Upper-Left Toolbar.
- Click Drawing, then choose a geometry type (e.g., points, polygons).
- Draw on the Map:
- Click to place points.
- Click multiple times to create a polygon, then double-click or press Enter to finish.
- A new layer will be created automatically when you finish drawing.
Step 2: Open the Travel Time Analysis Tool
- Go to the Right-Side Panel.
- Under Data Actions, find Tools and Workflows.
- Select Travel Time Analysis.
Step 3: Configure the Analysis
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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.
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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.
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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
- Click Run Analysis to generate the travel time areas.
- The tool will create a new layer representing areas reachable within the selected time.
Step 5: Style and Analyze the Results
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Customize the Appearance
- Open Standard Styling to change:
- Fill Color: Choose a color to represent the travel area.
- Opacity: Adjust transparency for better visibility.
- Open Standard Styling to change:
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Overlay Additional Data (Optional)
- Add layers such as demographics, infrastructure, or competitor locations to compare accessibility.
Step 6: Share or Export Your Analysis
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Export the Map as a PDF or PNG
- Click Export to download the map as a PDF or PNG file for reports or presentations.
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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!