The NetLP Parallel Arcs node allows you to define multiple parallel arcs with different capacities and costs at a particular location, to influence the flow in a network. Each arc can be used to represent different flow requirements at a location, such as an environmental or hydrological demand, or flood flow.
There is, by default, one arc that is always present in the node (overflow arc), which has a very high cost and infinite capacity. As the name suggests, any excess flow at the node location is passed through this arc.
Configuring arcs
To configure an arc (in addition to the overflow arc), double click on the node to open its feature editor (Figure 1). Enter the arc’s name, along with its associated cost and capacity. Note that the capacity must be specified as an expression.
To delete an arc, click on the appropriate row and press the Delete key on your keyboard.
Figure 1. NetLP Parallel Arcs node
Enter the following information in the table:
- Name of the arc;
- Cost – cost of the arc in the order phase; and
- Capacity – actual capacity of the arc in the order phase.
Figure 1 shows three arcs configured at this node. With arc3 having the lowest cost among all three arcs, this path will be chosen first, followed by arc1, then arc2.
