[Part 12] Visualizing and Analyzing Lifelines! Facility Network Analysis with SuperMap iDesktopX

Hello! I'm ippuku_time, a GIS implementation support consultant.

Welcome to the 12th installment of our "Learn SuperMap iDesktopX  in 5 minutes" series. In the previous article, we explored transportation network analysis for road networks. This time, we’ll shift our focus to another important type of network: facility network analysis.

Let's take a look at how GIS can help analyze lifelines—such as water, gas, electricity, and rivers—where the direction of flow plays a critical role.

1. What is a Facility Network?

A facility network is a system in which resources or materials flow in a defined direction—for example, water pipelines, gas pipelines, power grids, or river networks.

Unlike transportation networks, where movement is generally free, facility networks explicitly define flow direction, such as from upstream to downstream.

iDesktopX’s facility network analysis fully incorporates this concept of directional flow, enabling highly specialized analysis vital for infrastructure management and disaster-prevention planning.

Figure: Analysis of the underground water pipe network in Minato Ward

2. "Trace Analysis" for Tracking Flow

Trace analysis allows you to follow a network from any point—either downstream or upstream—and is indispensable for both maintenance and emergency response.

(1) Downstream Trace

Identifies all downstream areas where water or electricity flows from a selected point.

Usage example: When water pollution is detected in the Furukawa River in Minato Ward, this analysis can quickly simulate how far the contamination might spread downstream.

(2) Upstream Trace

Traces upstream to identify where water or electricity is coming from.

Usage example: When a building experiences a water outage, upstream pipe systems supplying the building can be identified to narrow down the potential causes.

(3) Finding Sources and Destinations

Automatically identifies the most upstream source (e.g., a water source) or the most downstream terminal point in the network.

3. "Reachability Analysis" to Understand Network Connectivity

This analysis examines whether the network is properly connected or if isolated areas exist.

(1) Find Connected Features

Identifies the entire network area physically connected to a specified point.

Usage example: Determine the full supply area serviced by a particular water purification plant.

(2) Find Disconnected Features

Detects isolated sections that are not connected to a specified point.

Usage example: Discover pipe segments that were mistakenly left unconnected due to design errors or missing data.

4. "Important Feature Analysis" to Identify Network Vulnerabilities

(1) Critical Feature Analysis

Pinpoints essential pipes, valves, or components that must remain functional for connectivity between two points.

Usage example: In Minato Ward's disaster-prevention planning, this analysis identifies the "critical pipelines" that, if damaged, would cut off all supply routes to evacuation centers. These pipelines can then be prioritized for seismic reinforcement.

(2) Pipe Burst Analysis

Simulates a pipe burst and automatically identifies the nearest upstream valve that should be closed to minimize damage.

This function combines trace analysis with closest-facility search for practical emergency planning.

Summary

In this article, we introduced iDesktopX's analysis capabilities for facility networks—systems where directional flow is key. Functions such as trace analysis for identifying causes and predicting impacts, and important feature analysis for detecting weaknesses, are essential for stable and efficient lifeline management.

With iDesktopX, you can visualize complex infrastructure networks and perform advanced simulations with ease.

Next time, we’ll finally dive into the world of big data!

Part 13: “Taking on Terabyte-Class Data! Big Data Online Analysis.”

We'll explore specialized tools for handling massive datasets. Stay tuned!

For source and sample code: https://supermap-japan.blogspot.com/2025/09/12idesktopx.html