Using the Intersect geoprocessing tool in ArcMap 10.2

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO DEMO OF THE PROCEDURE OR GO TO DEMO VIDEO PAGE

Task
The demo will use two line feature layers- Minor roads and Rail line to show the practical application of using the Intersect geoprocessing tool to identify suitable areas where rail crossings and rail warning signs can be placed for the minor roads.

Note

The buffers are for demonstration purposes alone, it may not be necessary to use buffers to explain use of the intersect tool.

Steps
- Placing a 0.0032dd buffer around the Minor roads. This buffer distance represents the right of way about the minor road.
-Placing a 0.0015dd buffer around the Rail line.This buffer distance represents the right of way about the rail line.
- Intersect the two buffers to delineate the areas along the Rail line to place rail crossings and rail warning signs for minor roads.

Procedure
Two line feature layers- Minor roads and Rail line will be buffered.

To buffer, Go to Geoprocessing Tools > Buffer (another option is to use the ArcToolBox > Analysis Tools > Proximity> Buffer

A Buffer processing window will open. Fill in the Layer to be processed and the output file name. For the Demo, a buffer distance of 0.0032dd is used. Click OK

A new polygon layer –MinorRdbuff (blue highlight) is added into the Table of Contents.The buffer polygons are placed around all Minor roads.

Repeat same for the Rail line layer. For the Rail line layer, the demo uses a buffer distance of 0.0015dd. A new polygon layer- raillinebuff (blue highlight) is added to the Table of Contents and a polygon layer is placed around the Rail line.

To do the Intersect, Go to Geoprocessing> Intersect.

In the Intersect geoprocessing window, select the buffer polygon layers, as in the case of the demo- MinorRdbuff and raillinebuff. Name the output file.

After the processing, a new polygon layer- InterSecRailRoadStop (blue highlight) is added. This is the result of the Intersect between the buffer of the minor road layer and the buffer of the rail line.

The brown areas along the rail line layer indicate suitable areas where rail crossings and rail warning signs can be constructed for the minor roads.