Mobile Map Packages - Next Generation Mobile Data

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12-20-2016 04:54 AM
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AlexanderErbe
Esri Regular Contributor
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[Blogeintrag hier auch auf deutsch]

With ArcGIS 10.4, Esri introduced a new, compact data type for offline usage. Maps, address locators, and routing networks can be compiled to individual Mobile Map Package using ArcGIS Pro 1.2 or higher. This is the next generation Runtime Content that requires the separate creation of each data type, though.

 

Mobile Map Packages (.mmpk) can conveniently be shared on ArcGIS Online, Portal for ArcGIS, or by creating copies.  MMPKs can be utilized in Navigator for ArcGIS, with apps developed with ArcGIS Runtime, starting with version 100 ("Quartz"), and in ArcGIS Pro.

Key Facts

 

  1. Mobile map packages are unique file packages.
  2. They require little memory space and can easily be shared and updated.
  3. They can be used across various platforms.
  4. It's possible to include maps, address locators, and road networks (even individually).
  5. MMPKs can comprise of multiple maps, locators, or routing networks.
  6. Map packages can easily be used with ArcGIS apps and applications developed with ArcGIS Runtime.
  7. Mobile map packages are read-only.

Creating Mobile Map Packages

 

Mobile map packages can be created using the Create Mobile Map Package tool in ArcGIS Pro 1.2 or higher. Relevant data and capabilities have to be compiled in advance. There are various ways for creating MMPKs. This article presents two alternatives to create mobile map packages with an appealing map, a locator, and a customized routing network that provides an option to leave the public road and navigate on private forestry roads.

Mobile Map Packages with OpenStreetMap and Private Assets

Navigator for ArcGIS with OSM

Navigator for ArcGIS with OSM

OpenStreetMap (OSM) data is available free of cost and of quite good quality. The creation of an appealing map, the implementation of a suitable address locator and a road network for routing requires some efforts, though.

Initially, all data must be prepared for usage with ArcGIS. The map and road network can be created using the ArcGIS Editor for OpenStreetMap. This free and open ArcGIS for Desktop add-on allows for the filtering of raw OSM data to gain the required information, and the extraction into an ArcGIS-compatible format. The next step is the design of a visually appealing map (this part can be a challenging task for non-cartographers) and the creation of a routing network. The road network can be extended with private assets. In this example, a polyline feature class of forestry roads and another feature class of connections between public and forestry roads (so-called "transitions") are added to the network. The transitions have to be created manually using the Snapping tool (snapping public to forestry roads) and are then stored in the feature class. After reprocessing the network, it is possible to leave the public roads and navigate on the forestry roads. Network quality and performance are influenced by applied rules and attributes. And this is where the actual work starts: Cul-De-Sac rules, speed limits, U-turn policies, special walking, driving, or trucking routes—just to name a few—can be configured.

Finally, a suitable address locator is required, a rather laborious task. To configure the locator, cities, addresses, POIs, and their coordinates have to be extracted from the OSM data. The locator is then created with the appropriate ArcGIS Pro or ArcGIS for Desktop tools.

After importing the ArcGIS for Desktop project (.mxd) into ArcGIS Pro, the Create Mobile Map Package is run to create the MMPK that is based solely on OSM data.

Quick overview of the required steps:

  1. Import OpenStreetMap data into ArcGIS using ArcGIS Editor for OSM.
  2. Design the map.
  3. Create a routing network and add private assets.
  4. Configure the locator.
  5. Create a mobile map package with ArcGIS Pro.

Mobile Map Packages with StreetMap Premium for ArcGIS and Private Assets

Navigator for ArcGIS with StreetMap Premium

Navigator for ArcGIS with StreetMap Premium

StreetMap Premium for ArcGIS is a data package that is subject to cost (one-year subscription) and is based on HERE data (formerly NAVTEQ). The StreetMap Premium portfolio provides everything that is required: global dataset with appealing maps for day and night time, locators for individual countries, and a road network with almost perfect rules.  StreetMap Premium includes an ArcGIS Pro project that can be used very easily and without much additional effort to create mobile map packages.

In addition to that, StreetMap Premium provides the option to extend maps and road networks with private assets. To learn more about extending the road network, please check this tutorial.

Note: The tutorial describes the steps to add individual roads and streets manually. Usually a feature class with this data - forestry roads in our example - already exist.  In this case only the transitions have to be added manually. Next, the data is imported into the appropriate StreetMap Premium feature class "Custom Streets" and adapted to the target schema (attributes). This can be done with the Append geoprocessing tool in ArcGIS Pro. Finally, the required attributes like STREET_NAME or Paved are adjusted for accurate processing of routes and directions. Various tools or Python can be used for automating this step.

Quick overview of the required steps:

  1. Extend a routing network with private assets.
  2. Create a mobile map package with ArcGIS Pro.

Summary

 

Mobile map packages are ideal to use maps and to search for addresses or routes offline on mobile devices. The main challenge is the data that forms the basis for these packages. The examples above, using OpenStreetMap or StreetMap Premium, have demonstrated the options available: When using free data, some work is required to prepare the information and achieve the desired quality.  With StreetMap Premium, this work can be avoided by paying a fee. In either case, extending the routing network with private assets is the exciting part.

Whatever option you choose, all data will end up in one single package eventually. This allows for the creation of customized mobile map packages for various application scenarios and their easy distribution to mobile devices. Which "out of the box" navigation software that you know - other than Navigator for ArcGIS - provides the possibility to replace data at your own discretion and to route on private roads, as shown in our example?

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