merge line segments

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5
01-31-2011 08:19 PM
PaulWagner
New Contributor II
I have a shapefile of roads, most roads have multiple segments but have the same road id number, how can I combine these road segments into one long continuous segment? Remember these segments are all in one shapefile.
Thanks!
5 Replies
BrandonForsythe
New Contributor
Hi
I am trying to do something similar. I am using streams and many have the same name and same stream code. How can I merge these together so that the length of each will be added as well resulting in the proper length of the new single segment? I am using 10.

Thanks
JulianaWilhoit
New Contributor III
Hi Brandon,
    These are the steps to perform this process in ArcGIS Desktop 10, which you mentioned that you have.  These steps will not work in ArcGIS Explorer, which is the forum that this question is posted on. 
   The tool that you want to use is the Dissolve tool. This is located in ArcToolBox> Data Management> Generalization> Dissolve.  You will need a field to perform your dissolve on, which would be your River Name Field. 

  After that is completed, then you will need to add the geometry to your table to find the length. This will be done automatically if your data is stored in a geodatabase.  Additionally, you can follow the steps below. To use this, your data must be in a projected coordinate system.
a. Create a new field in your data that is numeric and call it area.
b. Right click on the field Calculate Geometry dialog box.
c. Click the geometric property you want to calculate.
d. Click to use either the coordinate system of the data source or the coordinate system of the data frame.
e. Click the units of the output calculations.


Additionally, I have included some links to help you:
Dissolve: http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#//00170000005n000000
Adding a geometry field: http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#//005s00000027000000.


Regards,


Juliana Wilhoit
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AlisonSchilling
New Contributor III
My road file is in short segments and I want to use dissolve the lines to merge the line segments together based on roads type - (primary/secondary). Several road segments that all have the same type I would like to be 1 line - The only way I have been able to get this to work is through an edit session, selecting all the segments and then (edit - merge) - however this file is huge, I am working with a clip portion currently trying to develop a process and I should just be able to dissolve the lines based on type. I have tried dissolve, unsplit, in a file geodatabase and as shape files. I have attached a graphic - all lines selected (blue) and black lines are all primary lines. My end goal is to merge the segments together based on type, then planarize based on road intersections. This will give me the road segments I need to work with.

I am working in 10.1
darrenchen
New Contributor II

You can use the "Unsplit Lines (Data Management)" tool to merge the line segments.  ArcGIS Help Link: ArcGIS Desktop

This will connect the endpoints.  If the endpoints don't all link up, you may have to define the threshold in the "Environments" option. 

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kennethjohnson1
New Contributor

I am also working at combining 3 separate stream layers into a single stream layer. I am required to include all 200,000 + features from the three stream layers into the final single stream layer. I will also be required to include a select few of attributes from all 3 layers to be in the final stream layer. I am also setting up a series of 'Domains' to control the data input in a few fields and finally will set up a topology to correct the many expected errors to occur as a result of the combining. A note to make worth noting is these three stream layers are not consistent with regards to placement even though they represent the same streams in most places.  I'm using ArcMap 10.2.2 and have considered using the merge tool, or the update tool or append tool. I am just not sure at this point! please provide some directive, thank you!

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