I am curious if I can, without having to write a python or an ArcObjects script, create a spatial join that will result in a polygon feature class containing the attributes of the LONGEST intersecting join polylines. The input polylines I have roughly correspond to the polygons to which I want to transfer the attributes. I've determined that it is almost always the longest intersecting polyline whose attribute I need to transfer into the polygon.
Currently, using the figure below as an example, the spatial join hits 3 polylines (join_count = 3 for this particular polygon) but instead of joining on the longest intersecting polyline it seems to choose the first one it encounters. (which is also contrary to what the tool's description says about the JOIN_ONE_TO_ONE operation which is suppose to aggregate the join features into the output feature. The description speaks of SUM merge rule in its example which I do not see in this particular tool as an option)
I am using INTERSECT because there is no suitable spatial relationship I can think of in this "polyline to polygon" situation. I understand what is going on but don't know whether a workaround exists. I just wish there would be another set sub-parameters allow me to control what happens when more than one join features exists; in this case selecting the longest polyline by default.
I am using ArcGIS 10.2.1 Standard.