How do I add a path of travel in Revit?

Adding a path of travel in Revit involves using a dedicated analysis tool to automatically trace the shortest route between two points, considering obstacles and clearances within your model. This feature is invaluable for egress analysis, accessibility studies, and general building circulation planning.

How to Add a Path of Travel in Revit?

To add a path of travel in Revit, navigate to the Analyze tab and use the Path of Travel tool to define start and end points in your floor plan view. Revit will then automatically generate the most efficient route.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Path of Travel

Here's a detailed breakdown of how to generate a path of travel in your Revit project:

Open a Floor Plan View: Ensure you are working in a plan view (e.g., Level 1, Level 2) where you want to analyze the path. The Path of Travel tool functions best in these views.
Access the Path of Travel Tool:
- Go to the Analyze tab on the Revit ribbon.
- In the Route Analysis panel, click on the Path of Travel tool.
{: .align-center} Example of Revit Analyze Tab (Image credit: Autodesk)
Define Start and End Points:
- Click once in your floor plan to set the start point of the path.
- Click a second time to set the end point of the path.
- Revit will immediately calculate and draw a dashed line representing the shortest path between these two points, automatically navigating around walls, doors, and other specified obstacles.
Review and Adjust: The generated path is a model line that can be selected. You can:
- Adjust its start or end points by dragging the blue control grips.
- Move the entire path.
- View its properties in the Properties palette, including its Length.

Configuring Route Analysis Settings

Before or after creating paths, you can fine-tune how Revit calculates them using the Route Analysis Settings dialog. These settings are crucial for accurate analysis, especially for egress routes and accessibility.

Accessing Settings:
- On the Analyze tab, in the Route Analysis panel, click Route Analysis Settings.
- This dialog allows you to define clearances, set a calculation buffer, and specify which categories of model elements should be treated as obstacles.

Key Settings:

Setting	Description
Clearance Height	Defines the minimum vertical clearance for a path to be considered viable. Objects exceeding this height will be treated as obstacles.
Clearance Offset	Specifies the minimum horizontal distance the path should maintain from walls or obstacles. This helps simulate realistic walking conditions and ensures the path doesn't cut through objects.
Obstacle Categories	A list of Revit element categories that the Path of Travel tool will treat as barriers. By default, this includes Walls, Doors, Columns, Furniture, and more. You can add or remove categories based on your project's specific needs (e.g., excluding low-height furniture if it's not an actual barrier).

Properly configuring these settings ensures that the calculated paths accurately reflect real-world constraints and design intentions.

Managing and Visualizing Paths of Travel

Once paths are created, Revit offers powerful tools for managing and visualizing them, enhancing your analysis.

Path Properties:
- Select any path of travel to view its properties in the Properties palette, including its Length and Travel Time (if a speed is defined in the project settings).
Scheduling Paths:
- You can create schedules for "Path of Travel" elements to list all paths, their lengths, and other parameters, which is useful for documentation and compliance checks.
View Filters for Visual Analysis:
- View filters are an excellent way to visually distinguish paths based on their properties, such as length. For example, you can create a view filter that automatically displays any path of travel exceeding a specific length (e.g., 80 feet 0 inches) in red, immediately highlighting potential issues or areas needing re-design in your floor plan.
- To do this:
  1. Go to the View tab > Graphics panel > Visibility/Graphics (or type VG).
  2. Go to the Filters tab.
  3. Click Add > Edit/New to create a new filter.
  4. Name your filter (e.g., "Long Egress Paths").
  5. Set the Category to "Path of Travel."
  6. Add a filter rule: Length is greater than 80' 0".
  7. Assign graphic overrides (e.g., Line Color: Red) to this filter.
  8. Add the filter to your view in the Visibility/Graphics Overrides dialog.
- This provides instant visual feedback, making it easier to identify and address compliance issues related to maximum travel distances.

Practical Applications and Tips

Egress Analysis: Paths of travel are fundamental for verifying that egress routes meet building codes and safety standards by quickly calculating travel distances to exits.
Accessibility: Use the tool to ensure accessible routes throughout the building, checking for minimum clear widths and avoiding obstacles.
Design Iteration: Quickly generate and test different layouts to optimize circulation and minimize travel distances.
Avoid Overlapping Paths: Be mindful that if multiple paths are drawn, they will overlap. Use filters or separate views to manage their visibility.
Work in Clean Views: For optimal results, ensure your floor plan view has minimal unnecessary elements turned on, reducing visual clutter and potential for misinterpretation.

By leveraging the Path of Travel tool and its associated settings and visualization features, you can effectively analyze and refine the circulation within your Revit models, ensuring both efficiency and compliance.