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PTV VISUM 13

NEW FEATURES AT A GLANCE

PTV Visum 13 - New features at a glance © PTV AG 2

Copyright:

© 2013 PTV AG, Karlsruhe

PTV Visum® is a trademark of PTV AG

All brand or product names in this documentation are trademarks or registered trademarks of the corresponding companies or organizations. All rights reserved.

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The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice and should

not be construed as a commitment on the part of the vendor.

This document may not be used for any other purpose than the personal use of the pur-chaser.

No part of this handbook may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, edited or translated, except as permitted under the terms of the copyright, without the prior written permission of PTV AG.

Impressum:

PTV AG

Traffic Software

Haid-und-Neu-Straße 15

D - 76131 Karlsruhe

Germany

Phone +49 721 9651-300

Fax +49 721 9651-562

E-Mail: [email protected]

www.ptvgroup.com

http://vision-traffic.ptvgroup.com

© 2013 PTV AG, Karlsruhe


Contents

1 Distributed computing of scenarios 4

2 Private Transport procedures 6

2.1 Assignment with junction control (ICA) 6

2.2 PrT calibration report 7

3 Public Transport procedures 8

3.1 Faster computation of procedures 8

3.2 Public Transport reporting: Assignment & count data 8

4 Graphics & Handling 9

4.1 Live-Maps as background 9

4.2 Legends 10

4.3 Improved search function 11

4.4 Message window 12

4.5 One-step ANM-export of a subnetwork 12

5 Demand calculation 13

5.1 More flexible definition of matrices with formula 13

5.2 Multi-threading of trip distribution of the 4-step-model 13

6 Visum Safety 14

7 Interfaces 15

7.1 Extended Open Street Map import 15

7.2 VDV452-Importer and -exporter 15

7.3 Add-In: Import Transit Supply 15

8 Optimized integration in operation system 17

Distributed computing of scenarios


1 Distributed computing of scenarios

If you are using the Scenario Manager to manage your projects in PTV Visum, Visum 13

now lets you leverage the power of multiple Visum licenses for substantially faster scenario

evaluation. This is achieved by distributing the calculation of scenarios across multiple

computation nodes, i.e. the computers used for daytime desktop work take on overnight

batch calculations for multiple scenarios.

No additional systems or software need to be acquired besides Visum and the add-on

module for distributed computing. If this feature is licensed, all Visum installations belong-

ing to the approved license group can be used, as long as they are available via the net-

work and running the appropriate version of Visum with the required modules and network

size.

All you need to do in order to enable their usage is to start the Scenario Calculation Server

application, which is installed with Visum. This item is responsible for managing and con-

figuring the scenario calculation on a computation node.

The distributed calculation of scenarios is conveniently controlled from the project man-

agement view in Visum. Here you can manage the computation nodes, adjust calculation

settings and of course launch the actual distributed configuration. The latter is seamlessly

integrated with the existing scenario management functions. After you have selected a set

of scenarios for computation, Visum lets you choose the computation nodes.

Distributed computing of scenarios


Visum transfers the input data to the computation nodes, starts the scenario calculation

there, monitors the computation process and transfers the scenario indicators and, if re-

quired, all results back to the controlling Visum installation. In the meantime, the controlling

Visum can be used for other tasks or even be closed. The computation nodes manage their

work independently. The scenario table in the project view contains additional columns in-

dicating the calculation node, calculation status and even the current procedure step in the

scenario.

Private Transport procedures


2 Private Transport procedures

2.1 Assignment with junction control (ICA)

The assignment with ICA has been revised and further improved. The basic principle is

unchanged, i.e. it is an iterative assignment procedure which alternates between a stand-

ard assignment using volume-delay functions (VDF) for turns and detailed node impedance

calculations, using ICA. The results of the ICA calculations are used to estimate individual

parameters of the volume-delay functions of turns. In the revised implementation, calcula-

tion of the blocking back model for turns of ICA nodes is mandatory. This way, it is ensured

that ICA results used for the estimation of VDF parameters are based on realistic turn vol-

umes.

Congestion as a result of the blocking back model leads to additional impedances; namely

wait times on links. Consequently, re-routing effects can be observed in the embedded as-

signment. This is achieved by modifying the link VDFs so that wait times are reproduced in

the assignment. In other words, the blocking back results indirectly affect route choice be-

havior in the assignment.

Another improvement concerns the initialization of turn attributes. Information from the

coded node geometry and signal control is used to better approximate attributes used in

the first embedded assignment. This improvement is likely to speed up convergence. The

implementation in Visum 13 includes a revised parameter dialog as some of the former

options, e.g. the optional use of the blocking back model, have been removed. For initiali-

zation, an additional selection of attributes is required. Note that assignment with ICA is

now restricted to an assignment period of 1h.

The results of assignment with ICA will change because both the algorithm of the proce-

dure itself as well as the average wait time calculation of the blocking back model have

been revised. Older parameter files for assignment with ICA cannot be read with Visum 13.

Private Transport procedures


2.2 PrT calibration report

As an extension to the reporting for assignment results (Visum 12.5), there is now an addi-

tional reporting tool that helps you validate and calibrate your models.

An important element for the assessment of the model quality is the comparison of mod-

eled values with surveyed data. The goal of realistic models is to achieve a minimum gap

between model and survey data.

The reporting tool for count data enables you to contrast surveyed values with values in

your model to analyse the quality of your model. The count report is generated by an Add-

in (“Reporting PrT Counts”) that can be inserted into the procedure flow. So it is possible to

produce the same outputs several times, which allows for a convenient comparison of sev-

eral model runs. The results of the reporting tool are output in an Excel file.

Survey data can be attached to several objects. For PrT these are links, turns, screenlines

and others. The objects can be selected individually; there is no limit in number.

As a result, the survey data is compared with the corresponding model data and displayed

in several ways:

Listing all objects with count data, including deviation and GEH. In addition, a threshold value can be determined, highlighting critical values with colors.

Aggregated display of all objects with count data. Here the (weighted) average and av-erage GEH are listed.

Graphical display of results, using different diagram types.

The procedure step can be inserted into a procedure with a feedback loop. On demand, a

report is produced for each iteration, and the differences can be analysed over several iter-

ations.

Public Transport procedures


3 Public Transport procedures

3.1 Faster computation of procedures

In order to ease the work with larger and more complex models, we constantly optimize our

procedures to keep computation times as low as possible. In Visum 13, we have improved

several Public Transport procedures:

Acceleration of fare calculation The calculation of fares has been internally improved. Depending on the type of the fare system and network, calculation can be 2-3 times faster than before. This has positive effects on all procedures using the fare calculation, such as assignment or line cost cal-cuation.

Multi-threading of line cost calculation: As many procedures before, we now have multi-threaded line cost calculation. Now all cores can be used, which means that the acceleration factor roughly equals the number of cores of the computer.

Acceleration of time-table based assignment for many cores: In Visum 11.0 the time-table based assignment was already multi-threaded. Now with Visum 13 multi-threading reveals a greater effect, including for computers with a high number of cores. With eight cores, acceleration will already be noticeable. With 24 cores savings of 40% are possible.

You will certainly notice these and other optimizations, e.g. in headway-based assignment,

while working with Visum, as they help increase the efficiency of your daily work processes.

3.2 Public Transport reporting: Assignment & count data

Similar to the reporting tools for PrT, introduced in Visum 12.5 and 13, there are two report-

ing tools for PuT. Both reports are Excel-based and created by an Add-In which is a proce-

dure step in the procedure sequence. It is possible to reproduce the same outputs several

times, which allows for a convenient comparison of several model runs.

Reporting tool for assignment statistics and results (“Reporting PuT Assignment”): Along the same lines of the assignment report for PrT, the dialog contains an object se-lection function for all relevant PuT objects. Both objects and attributes can be config-urated individually.

Reporting tool for count data (“Reporting PuT Counts”): As described in chapter 2.2 for PrT, this tool is meant for analyzing surveyed data and modeled results for PuT. The output comes in tables and diagrams, and predefined thresholds indicate the quality of your model.

Graphics & Handling


4 Graphics & Handling

4.1 Live-Maps as background

In previous releases of Visum, we already introduced features allowing you to use maps

and imagery provided by online map services, such as OpenStreetMap or Microsoft Bing

(exclusively for our customers holding a maintenance contract) as background graphics in

the Network editor. With Visum 13 we extended these functionalities with a live mode for

background maps from online services. This new function allows you to display model data

on top of streaming maps or satellite imagery at the push of a button, only requiring an In-

ternet connection and a valid projection setting for the network. Beyond the predefined map

services OpenStreetMap and Microsoft Bing Maps (exclusively for customers with mainte-

nance contract), you can use custom map providers (e.g. alternative OpenStreetMap ren-

derings or WMS services) through the respective URL templates containing placeholders

for variables, such as map bounds or zoom level. This configuration is bound to the pro-

gram settings and therefore accessible through ‘Edit’ ‘User preferences’ ‘GUI’

‘Background map’.

Independent of the specific map service used for the background map, Visum enables you

to optionally display the background in grey scale or reduced intensity, so the model net-

work view is clean and clutter free. A toolbar button provides a quick shortcut for toggling

the display of the background map.

Graphics & Handling


4.2 Legends

In Visum 13, we have implemented two major improvements in the field of legends.

The first improvement is a major revision of the legend dialog for the Network editor. Now

the manifold options are clearly arranged in different tabs of the dialog. Thus, it is no longer

necessary to go back and forth between the different windows of the old dialog. Another

advantage is a schematic preview of the arrangement of the different parts of the legend.

The second improvement is a new legend for the popular schematic line diagram. With this,

the graphical possibilities of the new feature from Visum 12.5 are enhanced even further.

Graphics & Handling


4.3 Improved search function

By using the F3 button or the search icon, users can access the search dialog in order to

search for specific network objects. With a new search function in Visum 13, we now have

significantly improved the possibilities to find and edit one or several network objects.

The new search dialog includes a list of results, that instantaneously changes with any new

user input, which can be new or extended search terms or new search parameters. This

approach allows you to directly see if and how many results are obtained with the current

search.

Using the parameters you can define, whether you want to search in a specific attribute or

in all attributes of the result list. This can be very helpful, e.g. when searching for a stop

point name and not knowing, whether it can be found in the code name of the stop point or

perhaps in an indirect attribute of the stop area.

That you can now dock the search window on the left or the right side of the main Visum

window and work in parallel in other windows, such as the Quick view, is also very helpful .

Graphics & Handling


4.4 Message window

When working with Visum, you will receive a number of messages. Tthese were previously

collected in log files only, which you can now find in the ‘File’ menu, under ‘Show Log files’.

In order to make working with messages easier, we have introduced the view ‘Messages’

function that you can open in the ‘View’ menu. Here you can find all messages and sort

them, search within them or filter for specific message types (e.g. errors).

In addition, you can click all messages highlighted in blue to view the corresponding net-

work object in the Network editor or other views. This will be helpful, e.g. when you want to

analyze the results of the ‘Network check’.

With this view, we have adopted a proven and popular functionality of our PTV Vissim

software into Visum.

4.5 One-step ANM-export of a subnetwork

Depending on the objective of a project, you might have to export a partial network of a

Visum model to Vissim in order to carry out further evaluations using microscopic simula-

tion. The data transfer from Visum to Vissim requires a number of steps which usually in-

clude

the generation of a partial network

the assignment of demand in the partial network

the export of the network and assignment results (ANM Export)

the import of the *.anm and *.anmRoutes data in Vissim

In Visum 13, this workflow can be executed at the push of a button. Simply define the area

of the partial network, define all corresponding parameters for the generation of the partial

network, and then run the procedures in this network and ANM export. The parameter dia-

log can be found under the new menu entry ‘Calculate’ ‘ANM export of a subnetwork’.

Data import into Vissim is optional. An installation of Vissim must be available on your

computer. Once Vissim is started the data is imported automatically. By default, static

routes are created in Vissim from the *.anmRoutes information. If you wish to use dynamic

assignment in Vissim or plan to use the adaptive ANM Import, the *.anm and *.anmRoutes

files should be imported manually. This ensures that files for later steps are saved.

Demand calculation


5 Demand calculation

5.1 More flexible definition of matrices with formula

Matrices defined with formulas are particularly helpful in demand calculations, as here often

complex calculations of utility and demand matrices are required. With Visum 13, we have

improved the capabilities of formula definition.

In addition to the basic arithmetic operations and matrix transformations, you can now add

many other elements for the defition of matrices with formulas:

Advanced operators, e.g. absolute value, logarithm, exponential function and rounding

Aggregations, e.g. min, max, average and sum

Use of parantheses

Formulas are now represented by flexible strings. They are not only used for the definition

of matrices, but also for user-defined attributes with formula, as well as for the procedures

Edit attribute and Combination of matrices and vectors.

5.2 Multi-threading of trip distribution of the 4-step-model

Over recent release versions, we have enabled the parallelization of multiple operations to

allow for a better use of multi core processors.

We have continued to do so in Visum 13: Now trip distribution of the 4-step model has

been multi-threaded. First tests with medium-sized to large models suggest that the speed-

up factor is slightly below the number of cores. Due to the fact that demand models are

usually run in feedback loops, the potential for time savings is considerable.

Visum Safety


6 Visum Safety

The new add-on module "Safety" for PTV Visum offers importing, visualizing and analysing

features for collected accident data. This makes it possible to optimise road safety at a very

early stage of the transport planning process. The optimisation is possible at both macro

level – with the safety analysis of road networks – as well as at micro level with accident

black spot management (BSM) and local accident investigations.

Crash data can be imported from CSV files in either a predefined format or a custom for-

mat. During the import, crash locations are automatically referenced to the underlying road

network to enable the calculation of key safety indicators per link (e.g. accident rates).

The way of displaying the accidents can be chosen:

the single accident view shows individual accidents as points in a colour depending on category and size depending on severity

heat maps are digital maps that highlight particularly dangerous locations in the traffic network in a visually striking manner to visualize accident location patterns clearly

Several filtering possibilities are offered to focus on crashes of certain types or during cer-

tain periods.

Next to “Accidents” as additional Visum network object type the Safety module offers

“Black Spots” as new network object type. Black spots can be created manually or found

automatically using customizable parameters. The found black spots can be easily priori-

tized and monitored with Visum list views.

To find similarities in contributing factors for accidents within a black spot or another group

of accidents, reports with statistics can be generated with one click.

Interfaces


7 Interfaces

7.1 Extended Open Street Map import

We have extended the Importer for OpenStreetMap network data. Besides the import of

road networks already supported, you can now include Public Transport data ranging from

railroad tracks, stops and stations up to complete line routings, given they are available for

your network section in a suitable form in the OpenStreetMap data stock. Furthermore, you

can import arbitrary point or area information, such as service facilities or landuse data, into

Visum POIs. Both extensions are provided as part of the additional import configuration

and can be adapted to your specific requirements.

7.2 VDV452-Importer and -exporter

VDV 452 is a common ASCII-based exchange format for public transport data with wide-

spread use in German-speaking countries and a growing use in other regions. Its use cas-

es are data exchange among operational and planning applications in public transport

agencies and operating companies. Both, data import and export in this format have been

available in previous Visum releases, but only as external applications, which required cus-

tomer-specific configuration. With Visum 13, the interfaces become internal functionality,

directly accessible via the import/export menu. Both functions are provided separately as

add-on modules for additional license fees.

VDV 452-import allows you to import network/infrastructure, lines and timetable data from

VDV 452 into the corresponding structures of the Visum data model. Furthermore, fare

zones, valid days and intermediate points of line routes are considered for the import. The

export module allows you to write data to VDV files. Both modules support VDV files ac-

cording to version 1.4 of the recommendations in German and English. Beyond the scope

of the recommendations, they support additional data columns, which are bound to user-

defined attributes. Blocks and the related vehicle data are not covered by this version of the

interface.

7.3 Add-In: Import Transit Supply

The new add-in 'Import Transit Supply' allows for the import of PuT data from another ver-

sion file into the currently loaded network. Key is that the import is not based on any known

IDs, but solely on geographic information. Stop points are placed at the most plausible lo-

cations, so that excellent matching of the line routes is achieved.

In a typical application the "other" network contains timetable data with a rudimentary net-

work that often just consists of stop point locations (as e.g. created through HAFAS import),

whereas the loaded network is a PrT network and bus and tram transit lines are to be rout-

ed correctly into this network.

Interfaces


Within the dialog of the Add-In you can align the transport systems of the two networks.

Other parameters of this functionality include parameters of the matching algorithm or the

option to create new links that are inserted into the target network for origin line routes that

cannot be matched to the target network

You can find this and many other helpful Add-Ins in the ‚Scripts‘ menu.

Optimized integration in operation system


8 Optimized integration in operation system

PTV Visum 13 was prepared for operation with Windows 8. Due to the missing start menu

in Windows 8, all of the start menu shortcuts to examples and documents which used to be

created in the installation process were replaced by internal shortcuts accessible through

the Help-menu. The only remaining shortcuts are those to the Visum executable and to the

Scenario calculation server. These are grouped togehther with shortcuts to other PTV Vi-

sion applications in the group 'PTV Vision 2013'.

Furthermore, the CodeMeter runtime shipped with Visum was upgraded to version 4.5

which is the first release providing support for Windows 8.

All these changes not only apply to Windows 8 installations, but are effective on older plat-

forms as well.

PTV AG

Haid-und-Neu-Straße 15

76131 Karlsruhe

Germany

Telefon +49 (0) 721 9651-300

Fax +49 (0) 721 9651-562

E-Mail: [email protected]

www.ptvgroup.com

http://vision-traffic.ptvgroup.com

http://www.ptvgroup.com/

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