Measure the distance of a point feature from the start of a route in ArcGIS Pro

Summary

In ArcGIS Pro, determining the distance of point features from the start of a route is often required to establish their position along the route. Measuring the distance along the route accurately identifies each point feature's location relative to the route origin, supporting route analysis and location-based decision-making. Linear referencing can be used to calculate this distance.

Procedure

1. Open the project in ArcGIS Pro.

Note:
To ensure the route is in the right direction, use the Reverse Direction tool to identify the current direction. Refer to Steps 1 through 7 in ArcGIS Pro: Change the direction of a line feature.

2. On the ribbon, click the Analysis tab. In the Geoprocessing group, click Tools.
3. Create a route layer with m-values. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Feature geometry and feature coordinates for more information.
   1. In the Geoprocessing pane, search and select the Create Routes tool.
   2. For Input Line Features, select the route layer from the drop-down list. In this example, 'Route' is selected.
   3. For Route Identifier Field, select the route identifier from the drop-down list. In this example, 'ROUTEID' is selected. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Assign a route identifier field for more information.
   4. For Output Route Feature Class, specify a name and location. In this example, ‘Route_CreateRoutes’ is specified.

5. Click Run. The output generated is a new line feature layer with m-values.

4. Measure the distance of the point features.
   1. In the Geoprocessing pane, search and select the Locate Features Along Routes tool.
   2. For Input Features, select the point feature layer from the drop-down list. In this example, ‘Campsites’ is selected.
   3. For Input Route Features, select the output layer created from the Create Routes tool.
   4. For Route Identifier Field, select the route identifier from the drop-down list. In this example, ‘ROUTEID’ is selected.
   5. For Output Event Table, specify a table name and location. In this example, ‘Campsites_LocateFeatures’ is specified.
   6. Optionally, specify a name for Measure Field. This field populates the distance of each point feature from the start of the route.
   7. Click Run.

5. In the Contents pane, under Standalone Tables, right-click the newly created table and click Open.

The map below shows the distance of each point feature from the start of the route.

Note:
Alternatively, measure the distance of each point feature from the start of the route using the Measure tool. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Measure in a map or scene for instructions.