A driving radius map measures the time or distance (occasionally, it will measure both) between a central location and the surrounding areas. Companies and organizations will typically use driving radius maps for localized intelligence surrounding business options. These insights might include catchment area analysis, logistic information, site location, and territory planning.

How Driving Radius Maps Work

A driving radius map uses mapping software to determine the physical distance between a set of locations or the amount of time it takes to get there. These maps use actual functionality like traffic, time of day, construction, and speed limits to determine accurate results. Driving radius maps give users the option to decide the size with a space (distance) or a time (polygon) functionality. Users simply set drive time mapping with the distance from their desired location and determine an optimal range within that area.

For example, a company wanting to pinpoint competitors within a 25-mile radius of its physical location can set the parameters using the space functionality. A small business wanting to set up different sales territories might start by evaluating how far they’re willing to deliver their products–setting up a polygon map within a specified time territory.

How Do Driving Radius Maps Work?

Companies will need a comprehensive mapping program to establish a driving radius map. Most applications allow copying and pasting directly into the mapping software, or files can upload directly to the platform. From there, a business can upload the data from an existing Excel spreadsheet (or another spreadsheet). Once the content is uploaded, users can create a map of the data.

After the map is created, open the radius tool and choose your type of radius. Users can select the type of radius they require (whether a distance radius or a drive time polygon). To determine the radius, choose the prime location and the extension of the radius.

Different Radius Map Uses

Companies often use these maps to save time, resources and extract meaning from the current data sets they have on hand. In any instance where efficiency, time, and effort have a direct influence on results, the driving radius map holds merit.

Specific reasons for using this functionality include:

Logistic and Supply: Formulating the best distribution channels for optimal coverage makes sense, especially when you’re trying to establish efficient routes. These maps help formulate the best functionality for your logistic and supply chain needs within the chosen radius of your map.

Salse Territory Management: With optimized sales territories, businesses can capitalize on local environments and limit overlap and scarcity within the team. Your sales team can target new opportunities within their region without spending hours behind the wheel.

Catchment Area Analysis: Understand your catchment better by layering distances between locations, highlighting competitive businesses, and clear driving time expectations while on the job. These catchment areas can be as small or large as needed, growing with your business over time.

Location of Business: Commute can have a severe influence on the staff, which can significantly shift the quality of hires within your company. On top of that, employees having to commute extended periods of time are less likely to maintain high morale and productivity. While choosing remote locations for your business may make sense on paper, it doesn’t always add up in the long term.

Planning Business Trips: Itinerary development is crucial to any business meeting, especially when scheduling various team-building activities. If you’re hoping to set a business trip, driving radius maps locate optimal driving times, points of interest for the team, the best route to take throughout the journey, and local attractions. Route planning is ideal for time-sensitive commuting (air travel, scheduled transportation, and in-person events).

Community Asset Development: Working to build a better community is facilitated by driving radius maps. This evaluation allows the integration of essential community services (schools, public transit, medical facilities, and more). For those offering community programs, defining boundaries of service is also simplified with driving radius maps. This functionality highlights access to service, ideal function, and adequate service times within the community. For example, a community service may stretch resources if the area is too large. Likewise, two centers within one localized area will be underutilized overall.

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