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I have a polyline layer (Layer_A) in QGIS that represents entities (street crossings) that either consist of a single feature or are split into two or more features. The entities may also touch at their endpoints. I want to join the lines that belong to the same entity into one feature, but there is no attribute that I can use for that. So I need a geometry-based approach.

My current approach is the following:

  1. Extract all Layer_A endpoints using Extract specific vertices tool and vertex indices 0,1.
  2. Extract all intermediate endpoints using Extract by expression tool with the following expression, where Layer_B is used to also exclude vertices where two Layer_A entities touch each other, as in that case they always touch Layer_B:
array_length(
  overlay_touches(
    'Layer_A',
    $geometry
  )
) > 1

AND


array_length(
  overlay_touches(
    'Layer_B',
    $geometry
  )
) = 0

This gives the following result (Layer_A purple, Layer_B green):

Sample data screenshot

This shows that two Layer_A entities consist of two separate lines. The set of purple lines is supposed to be four entities (crossings) here. So I can't use Dissolve with the Keep disjoint features separate option.

I now want to iterate over the new point layer and join the lines together that touch the respective point, so that I have a single line for each entity in the end.

Here's the merging condition: Merge all features from Layer A (crossings) at their touching start/end points, except when they touch at least one feature from Layer_B (here: sidewalks) at this respective start/end point.

I look for solutions using geometry expressions either as an extension of my approach - or as a completely different solution.

Layer_A (crossings) sample data (Overpass query, export e.g. as GeoJSON)

Layer_B (sidewalks) sample data (Overpass query, export e.g. as GeoJSON)

winnewoerp
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1 Answers1

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  1. Dissolve with the option Keep disjoint features separate activated.

  2. Get the points where layer A touches layer B, e.g. using overlay_touches().

  3. Split lines of layer A at these points using this approach.

Babel
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  • Thank you. I tested it using this model (still incomplete). I get an error for "Geometry by expression": Error encountered while running Geometry by expression: Evaluation error: Cannot convert to geometry. – winnewoerp Dec 08 '23 at 09:08
  • Maybe there's a difference when using the expression here and not within the Geometry generator? – winnewoerp Dec 08 '23 at 09:16
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    It turned out that I didn't even need the Geometry by expression step and could use Split with lines for Layer_B in the end. Nevertheless, your solution seems to be highly valuable for other cases where Layer_B does not exist and the conditions require an approach based on vertices. – winnewoerp Dec 08 '23 at 12:18