Using the Density Processing Tool (Part 2)

Goals of the Lesson: Demonstrate how to load the Density Processing Tool. Orientation to the Density Processing Tool. Demonstrate how to make density layers with the Density Processing Tool and how to load them into ArcMap.

Begin with the ArcMap set up as in part 1

Access the C drive of the computer (or wherever the Density Processing Tool is located).

Find the Phase 13 folder (or the folder in which the Density Processing Tool is located).

Locate and open the Density Processing Tool.

The Density Processing Tool should load. Now, for a quick overview of the functions of the Density Processing Tool.

The “Select Shapefile to Process” option sets the shapefile used to create the density layer. Do not change it – the xy geocode file is needed for the tool to work! A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

The “Set Output Directory” option specifies the directory in which the density layer file will be generated. Density layers can be output to any desired directory. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

The “Select Symbology Layer” option can be used to apply a desired appearance to the layer. It does not need to be used at this point. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

In the “Enter NAICS Codes” option, the NAICS codes for which the density layer will be generated are entered. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

A single density layer can be created for multiple NAICS types by entering different NAICS codes, separated by commas. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

A single density layer can be created for multiple NAICS types by entering different NAICS codes, separated by commas. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool 42,49,4521

For help with determining what each NAICS code represents, a spreadsheet list of NAICS codes is included in the Phase 13 Folder (or the folder in which the Density Processing Tool is installed). A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

The spreadsheet lists the NAICS codes by major category (double digit) ……. and subcategories. (three or more digits) A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

When a NAICS category is entered into the Density Processing Tool to create a density layer, all of the subcategories for that layer will be included in the density. For example, when 48 (transportation) is entered, all of its subcategories (48XXX – all types of transportation) are also included in the layer. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

Or, when 481 (air transportation) is entered, all of its subcategories (481XX – all types of air transportation) are also included in the layer. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

Again, when 4811 (scheduled air transportation) is entered, all of its subcategories (4811X – all types of scheduled air transportation) are also included in the layer. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

The more refined the NAICS code used with the Density Processing Tool (the more digits it has), the more targeted the density layer will be towards a specific portion of a type of business. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

The more refined the NAICS code used with the Density Processing Tool (the more digits it has), the more targeted the density layer will be towards a specific portion of a type of business. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

The more refined the NAICS code used with the Density Processing Tool (the more digits it has), the more targeted the density layer will be towards a specific portion of a type of business. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

The more refined the NAICS code used with the Density Processing Tool (the more digits it has), the more targeted the density layer will be towards a specific portion of a type of business. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

Using a narrow (more digits) NAICS code to generate a layer will create a more targeted layer, but that layer will also have sparser density. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

The more refined the NAICS code used with the Density Processing Tool (the more digits it has), the more targeted the density layer will be towards a specific portion of a type of business. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

The more refined the NAICS code used with the Density Processing Tool (the more digits it has), the more targeted the density layer will be towards a specific portion of a type of business. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

The more refined the NAICS code used with the Density Processing Tool (the more digits it has), the more targeted the density layer will be towards a specific portion of a type of business. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

The Variable to Calculate option selects the variable used to calculate density. Employees should be used, as it is thought to be the best variable for calculating density. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

Use the pop up menu to select the variable.

The name for the new density layer is entered in the two name boxes. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

The name must be no longer than 11 characters. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool nys42g25r1

Move the slide bars to the right to increase the grid size… ….. or the search radius. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

Move the slide bars to the left to decrease the grid size… ….. or the search radius. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

Each grid displays the level of density for its search radius. In effect, increasing the grid size lowers the resolution at which changes in density are displayed, and decreasing grid size increases the resolution.

A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool = Employment Point (Individual business) Now, for a quick demonstration:

The search radius adjusts how far away each grid cell will search for employment points when calculating density. A larger radius will pull in farther away points; a smaller radius will only count points near each grid cell itself. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

Now, for a quick demonstration: A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool = Employment Point (Individual business)

Now create a layer file based on the previous directions. Remember to not change the shapefile or symbology layer. Creating a Density Layer File

Select an output directory. Creating a Density Layer File

Enter the NAICS codes to be used in generating the density layer separated by commas. Creating a Density Layer File 42,49,4521

A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool Set the Variable to Calculate option to Employees.

Enter a name for the results and a name for the shapefile. (make sure the name is no longer than 11 characters) A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool 42g25r1

Quick advice on naming density layer files. An easy way to track density layer files is to name them by their NAICS code, followed by the grid size and then the search radius. (NAICS)g(grid size with no decimal)r(radius with no decimal) Since all layers are generated for New York State, there is no need to name them by location (although it can be done). Although this method of naming layers is efficient, there may be the need to abbreviate when using five or six digit NAICS codes in order to keep the name under 11 characters long. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool For example, a layer for NAICS 42 with a grid size of.25 miles and a search radius of 1 mile would be written: 42g25r1 A layer for NAICS 4811 with a grid size of.50 miles and a search radius of 3 miles would be written: 4811g50r3

Set the Grid Size … and the Search Radius. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

Now Process the Density Layer. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool

For this example, a density file will be created for 42 (wholesale) using a grid size of.25 miles and search radius of 1 mile. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool This box will appear – click OK to begin processing.

The processing of the layer can be watched in the output directory. A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool Files will be displayed as “LOCK File” while the layer is being processed.

A Quick Overview of the Density Processing Tool When processing is finished, the layer file will be displayed.

The Density Layer is Ready to be Added to the Map. Now Proceed to Part 3