Create a Buffer/Drive time analysis layer

Note:

You need the following account and license types to use this workflow:

• Microsoft license—You need a Microsoft 365 license, role Contributor or higher, to create Buffer/Drive time analysis layers.
• ArcGIS account type—You must sign in to an ArcGIS account to complete the Buffer/Drive time analysis workflow.

You can create a Buffer/Drive time analysis layer.

See Buffer/Drive time analysis to learn about creating an analysis layer that calculates the distance or time to or from a specified location based on travel mode, time, and distance parameters.

To create a Buffer/Drive time analysis layer, complete the following steps:

1. From the map tools, click Analysis  .

   The analysis tools appear.

2. Click Buffer/ Drive time .
3. From the Choose input features  drop-down menu, choose where to frame the analysis.

   You can select a layer in the map, use your current location, or click Click to add a point to select a location manually.

   Note:

   Your current location is based on your system settings.

   Tip:

   If you select a layer in the map, the selected layer must contain point features and the total number of features must not exceed 1,000.

   For manual point selection, choose a point or points around which to create the Buffer/Drive time analysis.

4. From the Choose analysis type drop-down list, choose an analysis type.
   • To use a distance-based analysis, choose  Ring buffer, Walking distance, Rural driving distance, Trucking distance, or Driving distance. Set the measurement unit using the drop-down menu and change the distance using the text box or arrow buttons.
   • To use a time-based analysis, choose Walking time, Rural driving time, Trucking time, or Driving time. Set the measurement unit using the drop-down menu and change the amount of time using the text box or arrow buttons.
5. Check the Use traffic check box if you selected Driving time, Trucking time, or  Rural driving time to include one of the following:
   • Live traffic—Calculate travel time based on current traffic conditions. Use the slider to offset live traffic conditions up to four hours from the current time.
   • Traffic based on typical conditions—Set a day of the week and time of day on which to base traffic calculations. When adding time, choose an option from the drop-down menu or add a value manually. Use the 12-hour or 24-hour time clock. The default value  of 12:00 a.m. is used for invalid time values.

   Use traffic  is not checked by default. The driving speed and length of time is calculated from a combination of historical and live traffic data.

6. Choose a Travel direction option.

   You can calculate time and distance toward or away from the selected input features.

   This option is available for all analysis types except the Ring buffer option.

7. Type a name for the layer in the Result layer name text box.
8. Click Run analysis.

   When you run the analysis, the results are saved as a new layer in the map. The result layer appears in the Layers list.

   The layer is saved to your ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise content.

9. Click the Close  button  to close the Analysis pane and view the map.

Edit the search area layer symbology

You can customize the appearance of the Buffer/Drive time analysis layer to specify fill, outline color, and transparency.

To change the symbology, follow the steps in Style location data with a single symbol.