Select File…Preferences and turn on Snap to Grid by clicking the box so that it contains an x ; enter 20 in the data field, and click OK. This will cause all nodes to be located in a 20 x 20 grid pattern, as they are placed on the screen. Their positions can be changed latter if desired. Also turn on “Strict Drawing Rules” to minimize the potential for making network drawing errors (this preference should always be selected).
Select the node tool you want to use to draw the first node. To produce a sequential numbering of the nodes as you place them, there are two approaches you can take: 1) Place intersections in the order you want them to be numbered in and select a new tool each time you place an new intersection type (i.e., signalized, four-way stop, unsignalized, and cross-street), or 2) choose the tool for the type of intersection which is most prevalent in the network, place all nodes in sequence using this tool, then go back and change nodes to the appropriate intersection types. To change intersection type, choose the new intersection drawing tool then click on the old intersection node - a node change dialog/warning box should appear - click OK to make the change.
Move cursor to the vicinity of position 5,90 (the coordinates of your current position are shown in lower right hand corner of the screen; 0,0 is near the lower right corner).
Click to place the first node. This will be node number 1.
Move the cursor to the approximate position of the next intersection and click to place the next node. Continue until all intersections have been drawn. For this example there should be three signals, 1 four-way stop, one unsignalized, and seven cross-street intersections
Gates
Gates are locations where the new traffic generated by zones enters and/or leaves the study network. If you have new traffic that terminates inside your study area, you can have gates located inside your study area network.
Choose the gate tool and draw the three gates using the same techniques.
Zones
Zones are locations that generate new traffic to be added to existing volumes.
Choose the zone tool and draw the two zones.
Important
Select File…Preferences and turn off Snap to Grid. If you fail to do this, you will have problems later when you try to place text fields or move node locations.