Vector network analysis

GRASS provides support for vector network analysis using the DGlib Directed Graph Library.

GRASS 7 has WxGUI Vector Network Analysis Tool front-end, which supports some of the vector network analysis modules.

Implemented algorithms

The following algorithms are implemented (GRASS 6.5+):

• Vector maintenance: v.net
• Shortest path: d.path and v.net.path
• Shortest path between all pairs of nodes v.net.allpairs
• Allocation of sources (create subnetworks, e.g. police station zones): v.net.alloc
• Iso-distances (from centers): v.net.iso
• Computes bridges and articulation points: v.net.bridge
• Computes degree, centrality, betweeness, closeness and eigenvector centrality measures: v.net.centrality
• Computes strongly and weakly connected components: v.net.components
• Computes vertex connectivity between two sets of nodes: v.net.connectivity
• Computes shortest distance via the network between the given sets of features: v.net.distance
• Computes the maximum flow between two sets of nodes: v.net.flow
• Computes minimum spanning tree: v.net.spanningtree
• Minimum Steiner trees (star-like connections, e.g. broadband cable connections): v.net.steiner
• Finds shortest path using timetables: v.net.timetable
• Traveling salesman (round trip): v.net.salesman

Vector directions are defined by the digitizing direction (a-->--b). You can navigate either omnidirectionally or differently in each directions as both directions are supported. Network modules provide parameters to assign attribute columns to the forward and backward direction. To see how a vector is directed, use the "display" parameter of d.vect (set display=dir).

• see the vector map processing and network analysis help page

Example: Shortest path routing

• see the v.net.path and d.path help pages

Common parameters

• input - This is the name of input vector map or data source for direct OGR access.

• output - This is the name for output vector map.

• type - This parameter defines arc type, which can be line or boundary.

• alayer - This parameter is a number and defines the arc layer. Vector features can have category values in different layers. This number determines which layer to use. When used with direct OGR access this is the layer name.

• nlayer - This parameter is a number and defines the node layer. Vector features can have category values in different layers. This number determines which layer to use. When used with direct OGR access this is the layer name.

• afcolumn - This is name of the cost column for moving in forward direction or forward and backward directions together.

• abcolumn - This is name of the cost column for moving in backward direction.

• ncolumn - This is name of the cost column for moving through nodes.

If you are not familiar with layers concept in GRASS see Vector Database Management.

Extensios

The Turntable module (to be added to GRASS soon)

New ideas

• Vector network analysis ideas (please help to realize)

Screenshots

• more screenshots from the GRASS website

Old GRASS 5 screenshots

v.net.iso - Split net to bands between cost isolines (direction from centre). Costs of centre node are used in calculation.	v.net.alloc - Allocates subnets for nearest centres (direction from centre). Costs of centre node are used in calculation.
d.path - Find shortest path for selected starting and ending node.

See also

• GSoC Network Analysis: many new modules!

Tutorials

• Network analysis tutorial by University of Trento, Italy

External links

• GRASS GIS: Network Analysis (Subnets within a vector network)