Proximity Analysis

Proximity analysis is a family of geospatial techniques that quantify how close or far geographic features are from one another. In its simplest form, it calculates the straight-line (Euclidean) distance between two points. More advanced forms use network distance (along roads), travel time, or cost surfaces to measure proximity in ways that better reflect real-world accessibility. Proximity analysis answers questions like 'How far is this site from the nearest highway ramp?' or 'How many competitors are within a 10-minute drive?'

Buffer analysisBuffer AnalysisBuffer analysis creates zones of specified distances around geographic features such as points, lines, or polygons. I... creates zones of specified distance around features and identifies what falls within those zones. Nearest-neighbor analysis finds the closest feature of a given type to each feature in another dataset. Distance matrix computation calculates the distance between every pair of points in two datasets. Network-based proximity uses road or transit networks to measure distance or travel time rather than straight-line distance, producing more realistic results in areas with irregular road layouts or natural barriers.

In site selectionSite SelectionSite selection is the analytical process of evaluating and choosing optimal physical locations for new stores, facili..., proximity to key features is often a critical scoring factor. Retailers evaluate proximity to major roads, anchor stores, parking, and public transit. Restaurants assess nearness to office clusters and residential neighborhoods. Healthcare planners measure patient proximity to hospitals and specialist clinics. Environmental analysts evaluate proximity of communities to pollution sources or green spaces. Insurance underwriters assess property proximity to fire hydrants, fire stations, and flood zones.

Proximity variables are frequently incorporated into multi-criteria site scoring models. For example, a site selectionSite SelectionSite selection is the analytical process of evaluating and choosing optimal physical locations for new stores, facili... model for a coffee chain might award points for proximity to a freeway on-ramp, proximity to a college campus, and distance from the nearest existing company-owned store. These proximity scores are combined with demographic, traffic, and competitive variables to produce an overall site attractiveness index.

Proximity analysis is computationally straightforward, easy to visualize, and highly interpretable. It can be applied at any geographic scale and is supported by all GISGISGeographic Information Systems (GIS) enable users to analyze and visualize spatial data to uncover patterns, relation... platforms.

Straight-line distance can be misleading in areas with rivers, highways, or other barriers that force circuitous travel routes. Network-based proximity is more accurate but requires road network data and is computationally more expensive. The choice of proximity threshold is often subjective—what counts as 'near' varies by context and consumer behavior. Proximity analysis is a building block of location intelligence that underpins more complex analytical workflows. By quantifying spatial relationships in clear, measurable terms, it provides essential inputs for site evaluation, accessibility planning, and competitive assessment.