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Imprint
This documentation is based on PTV Vissim 8.
2015
PTV Planung Transport Verkehr AG
Haid-und-Neu-Str. 15
D-76131 Karlsruhe
Germany
Disclaimer
PTV Vissim 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.
The information contained in this document is subject to change without prior 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 trainee.
No part of this documentation may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically, mechanically, by photocopying,
recording or otherwise, edited or translated, except as permitted under the terms of the
copyright, without the prior written permission of PTV AG.
Limited Warranty
Although this documentation was compiled with great care, we cannot guarantee for its
correctness. We are thankful for hints on errors or shortcomings.
Contents
1 Introduction 7
2 Base Data 11
2.1 User Preferences 11
2.2 Simulation Parameters 12
2.3 Network Settings 13
2.4 Functions (Acceleration, Deceleration) 13
2.5 Distributions 13
2.6 Vehicle Types & Vehicle Classes 14
2.7 Driving Behavior 15
2.8 Link Behavior Types 16
2.9 Display Types 16
2.10 Levels 16
5 Demand Modelling 22
5.1 Vehicle Compositions 22
5.2 Vehicle Inputs 22
5.2.1 Vehicle Volumes and Composition 22
5.2.2 Time Intervals 22
6 Route Choice 24
6.1 Add Routing Decisions and Routes 24
6.2 Route Volumes 24
6.2.1 Generation 24
6.2.2 Time Intervals 25
6.3 Lane Change Distance and Emergency Stop Position 25
6.4 Adapting the Route Sequence 25
6.5 Class-specific Routes 26
7 Speeds 27
7.1 Reduced Speed Areas 27
7.2 Desired Speed Decisions 28
8 Parking Lots 29
10 Signal Control 35
10.1 Signal Groups 35
10.2 Intergreen Matrix 37
10.3 Signal Program 37
10.4 Add Signal Heads 37
10.5 Live Signal Times 38
10.6 Traffic Actuated Signal Control 38
12 Evaluations 41
12.1 Evaluation Configuration 41
12.2 Result Management 42
12.3 Evaluation Definition by Type 42
12.3.1 Data Collection Measurements 42
12.3.2 Travel Times 42
12.3.3 Queue Lengths 43
12.3.4 Node Evaluation 43
12.3.5 Link Evaluation 43
12.4 Charts 45
12.4.1 Chart Creation 46
12.4.2 Chart Configuration 46
12.4.3 Chart Settings 48
13 Presentation 49
13.1 Graphical Display 49
13.1.1 3D-Mode 49
13.1.2 Display Types 49
13.1.3 Pavement Markings 50
13.1.4 3D Traffic Signals 50
Element Typography
Blue boxes provide click sequences that step by step lead to the desired action.
Exercises provide a deeper understanding of a topic and valuable working experience with
the application.
Accompanying the training, Vissim example files are provided. They are named by chapter.
number in such a way that they contain all the topics up to the end of a certain chapter.
Example: the file HEADQUARTERS 07.INPX contains all modelling that is described in chapter 7,
including the exercises.
1 Introduction
Vissim is a microscopic, time step and behavior based simulation model for realistic
modelling of city and interurban traffic plus pedestrian movements. Besides private traffic
also rail- and road-based public transport (PT) can be modelled.
The traffic flow is simulated considering lane allocation, vehicle compositions, signal control
and detection of private and public transport vehicles.
2 Base Data
The stochastic nature of traffic demands for a simulation model to reflect this variability.
Vissim offers a wide range of settings such as for driving or lane change behavior. For
example, the base data for the simulation describe the various types of distribution functions,
the modeling of vehicles and pedestrians and their basic driving behavior.
Most of the base data are predefined with common standard values, yet can be adapted if
necessary. However, a fundamental understanding of the effects of such changes is
essential.
This chapter provides an overview of Vissims base data and its default settings.
1. Start Vissim
2. Choose opens the context menu and confirm with OK.
This setting can also be changed later via EDIT - USER PREFERENCES... - Network Editor:
SIMULATION - PARAMETER
2.5 Distributions
The various stochastic effects on the traffic simulation are modelled using distributions.
As an example here the desired speed distribution:
Hierarchy
2D/3D Model
defines appearance of vehicles and pedestrians
facilitates length (and width) distribution
various models possible within same vehicle type
1. BASE DATA - 2D/3D MODELS
2. Double click in row header display and selection of models
3. Add articulated bus
2.10 Levels
Level List: Definition of a level
BASE DATA - LEVELS
Level sidebar: Show/hide the entire level or only vehicles or pedestrians on it.
Select LEVELS from the Sidebar
List
3.1.1 Components
Network editor (several also)
Standard toolbar
Sidebars:
- Network objects
- Levels
- Backgrounds
- Quick view
- Smart map
Lists
Diagrams
Status bar
The network editor is used to setup the network. All network objects are accessible through
the network object sidebar (details see below). Attributes of a selected network object can
be edited in the quick view.
Open another network editor:
1. VIEW - OPEN NEW NETWORK EDITOR
2. Dock the new network editor to the right of the existing one
Lists are used to edit all data, also for non-graphic network objects such as vehicle types.
Windows and lists can be arranged almost in any way inside and outside the main Vissim
window.
Open lists
1. BASE DATA - DISPLAY TYPES
2. BASE DATA - VEHICLE TYPES
3. Dock the list above another list
Functionality
Insert mode Enables creation of new objects and some extended editing
3.3 Lists
The attributes of all network objects and base data are accessible through lists. In
addition, for some network object types, dialog boxes are available for single object editing.
Furthermore result attributes can also be shown in lists.
For more complex network objects and also for display of relationships Vissim offers
coupled lists:
Primary network objects are listed on the left
Secondary (depending) network objects are listed on the right. Its display depends on
the selection of the primary network object(s).
Command Description
Synchronization Every selection in the list also changes the selection in all
network editors, and vice versa.
Irrelevant cell Values that are currently irrelevant (most times because of a
dependency of another attribute).
Read-only cell Values that cannot be edited (for example calculated or result
attributes)
4.1 Backgrounds
In case there are multiple background images for the same project, all of these need to be
scaled identically and aligned properly. The recommended procedure is to model some
major links on a background image that covers a larger area and then and then use the links
for aligning the more detailed maps. In addition, (temporary) links may be placed at building
corners or similar to align the different maps with each other.
Exercise 1: Model all links and connectors for the junction PTV Headquarters
(Stumpfstr.)
5 Demand Modelling
Traffic that should travel through the road network.
As a shortcut, time intervals can be accessed directly from the Vehicle Inputs list by
shortcut menu EDIT TIME INTERVALS.
3. Use the shortcut menu to insert new time intervals up to the last interval 3600 - MAX
4. From the Vehicle Inputs list toolbar select Vehicle volumes by time interval: In the list to
the right now vehicle volumes and compositions can be edited for each time interval.
5. To simplify the example file delete the additional time intervals
6 Route Choice
Routes define the path that a vehicle follows at branches. A route is assigned to every
arriving vehicle according to the proportions defined for all the routes (turning volumes for
example). At this point vehicles are neither generated, nor are they taken out of the network.
6.2.1 Generation
For a routing decision the relative flow defines how the arriving vehicles are distributed
among its routes.
1. Right click on a route destination (turquoise) and select SHOW IN LIST.
The Static Vehicle Routes list opens.
2. Enter the Relative flow volume for each route according to the illustration:
7 Speeds
2 types:
temporary reduction (reduced speed areas)
permanent change (desired speed decisions)
The illustration shows the numbers of the desired speed distributions for vehicle classes
Car, HGV, Bus. Deceleration typically 2.0, for HGV 1.3 m/s.
8 Parking Lots
Parking lots are suitable for modeling longitudinal road side parking along a link. Depending
on the use case the dwell time may be varied, so that besides parking also loading
procedures as well as drop off zones (for example at stations or airports) can be modelled.
Furthermore there are abstract parking lots that are used for Dynamic Assignment.
1. Select the Parking lot insert mode
2. Add parking lot with the desired length
3. Define the parking space length (typically: 6 m)
4. Select the Vehicle Routes (Parking Lot) insert mode
5. Add routing decision (connector 10000 @ 1.0 m)
6. Place route destination within the parking lot (exact position doesnt matter)
7. Click outside network to end route insert procedure
8. Show list Parking Routing Decisions / Parking Rate By Time Interval
9. Define attributes Parking rate (50 %) und Parking duration (5 Min)
9.1.1 Branching
9.1.2 Merging
9.1.3 Crossing
9.1.4 Modeling
For use with keep clear areas the attribute max. Speed is relevant also.
10 Signal Control
Vissim offers a generic interface for signal controllers of various types. Here the signal
group based fixed time controller type is explained as it is available with every Vissim
license.
To create a signal control, various data are needed which typically originate from a
dedicated signal control planning. As this procedure is time-consuming and done outside of
Vissim, here the resulting data of the signal control planning are readily provided.
Preparation: Set all conflict areas at junction Tullastr. to passive as they are not needed
after the signal control is implemented. Use multi-select and Quick view.
V1-V5:
T52, T53:
1. Select Intergreen matrices from the sidebar of the Fixed time window
2. Create new intergreen matrix
3. Insert data from Excel file (TULLASTR INTERGREEN MATRIX.XLSX) with copy & paste
Activation
Configuration
Vissim by default uses a layout that shows all signal groups in sequence. You may adjust
the layout if you wish:
1. SIGNAL CONTROL - SIGNAL CONTROLLERS
2. Double click on row header to open the Signal Control dialog
3. Go to SIGTIMTBL CONFIG tab
4. Disable Automatic signal times table configuration
5. Configure the desired layout
11.1 Links
For those network parts where the PT travels on a dedicated railroad track, new links and
connectors need to be modeled:
1. Model the railroad track in East-West direction according to the aerial photo (width =
2.8 m, display type = 12)
2. Upstream of the link start, add another link and connector (link length = 100 m; at
minimum two times the maximum PT vehicle length)
The dwell time determination method is changed to Distribution in the following way:
1. Select desired PT line
2. Double click on PT stop
Dialog box PT Line Stop opens
3. Set Dwell time- Distribution = 1 (20 s)
12 Evaluations
Here you may define if results of previous simulation runs should be retained or deleted.
Furthermore user-defined percentile values may be defined here for use in result lists.
For every simulation run the active result attributes are stored automatically. Hence they
are available also after the simulation run is finished. According to the evaluation
configuration settings (tab RESULT MANAGEMENT) even data of several simulation runs are
preserved.
The results are structured by type and can be accessed through EVALUATION - RESULT
LISTS. Furthermore result attributes may be added to existing lists using the attribute
selection dialog box.
Saved simulation runs are also listed (EVALUATION - RESULT LISTS - SIMULATION RUNS).
Stored results can be deleted by deleting the corresponding
simulation run.
Aggregated Results
Vissim can aggregate results of several simulation runs automatically. The aggregated
values are available in the corresponding result lists and are activated with the following two
commands in the list toolbar:
Result attribute aggregated over all simulation runs
Result attribute aggregated over all time intervals of a single run.
In case both aggregates are active, also the aggregate over all runs and all time intervals is
shown.
Exercise 8: Include a node evaluation for both junctions and evaluate them
Result List
Result List: EVALUATION - RESULTS LISTS - LINK SEGMENTS
The result list for link segments may rapidly grow in rows.
Hence it is recommended to define an evaluation interval not
too small and/or to include only a part of the network.
12.4 Charts
In addition to the result attributes that are available in a numerical way, Vissim also offers
charts as a visual way for presenting results.
Key features are:
visualization of all result and static attributes inside Vissim, including aggregates
a tool to
- present results
- analyze the network
- support calibration
available before, during and after a simulation run
export as image to clipboard or file
All objects
2. Tick the All option next to Network objects
Additional attribute
5. Select Attributes row and add an attribute:
From the selection list, choose Vehicles - 1 x <Time Intervals> x All types
Chart type
8. In the top left, change Chart type to Line
Call Layouts
10.Activate previously saved layout Travel times - all objects
all options are adapted, including object and attribute settings!
11.Close the configuration dialog with OK
Live View
Instead of showing the network objects configured in the chart, there is a more dynamic
option that shows the results of the currently selected network object(s):
1. Open Vehicle Travel Time Measurements list (not the corresponding result list)
2. In the chart window activate Synchronization.
Now the results of the currently selected travel time measurement are shown in the
chart.
3. In the list, choose a different travel time measurement (different row) and see the chart
changing at the same time. This also works with a multi-selection.
Similarly you can select the travel time object also in a network editor.
13 Presentation
Even so the presentation of the simulation has no impact on simulation results, it is an
important tool to transfer the findings and results to others - especially to a non-technical
audience.
This chapter shows how impressive graphics can be achieved by use of Vissims graphics
capabilities. Furthermore two types of simulation recording are explained.
13.1.1 3D-Mode
Links, areas and background images are automatically displayed in 3D mode also. In
addition, for all standard vehicles and pedestrians 3D models are provided that are shown
during a simulation run.
Navigation
3D Graphic Parameters
Further Options:
Curved
Shaded sides
All sides same color/texture
Show railroad tracks
0. Activate 2D mode
1. Select the 3D Traffic Signals insert mode
2. Right-click a 2D signal head (here: SigGrp 4) - ADD NEW 3D TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR SIGNAL
HEAD
3. Select Directly on new mast
The dialog box 3D Traffic Signal opens
4. Double-click on the signal head in the preview
The 3D Signal Head dialog box opens
5. Select the matching Layout (for SigGrp 4 = 3-lens: Protected right)
6. Select the correct values for SC und SigGrp (SC 1, SigGrp 4) and close. In 2D the signal
head is displayed like that (the blue circle represents the signal head):
13.2.1 Definition
13.2.2 Recording
13.2.3 Replay
13.3.2 Keyframes
Element of a storyboard: Camera positions arranged by simulation start time with a dwell
time and a transition time to the subsequent keyframe.
13.3.3 Storyboards
A Storyboard is a keyframe sequence for recording of an AVI-Video. Important attributes:
Resolution of the video = 1280 x 720 Pixel
Framerate = 25 fps (fps = frames per second). Values below 25 lead to a visible jerking
of the video.
The resulting Real time factor depends on the Framerate and the Simulation resolution
(SIMULATION - PARAMETERS).
1. PRESENTATION - STORYBOARDS
The Storyboards / Keyframes list opens
2. Add new storyboard
3. Add new keyframe to the secondary list:
- Start time = 0.0
- Dwell time = 10.0
- Camera position = Tullastr
4. Add another keyframe:
- Start time = 20.0
- Dwell time = 10.0
- Camera position = PTV Headquarters 3D
5. Show preview: Storyboard shortcut menu PREVIEW WITH AVI SPEED
6. Fine-tune the start and dwell times of keyframes while running the animation.
Therefore, start the animation run with single step (see section 13.2.3), and then in the
storyboard list start the PREVIEW WITH SIMULATION SPEED.
Make sure that the network editor windows has focus in order to control the animation.
Keyframe times and camera positions can be modified even
during an animation or simulation run. The preview window
is updated in the following time step accordingly.
Storybook
What is the key message of the video? Work towards it.
What audience is watching that video? Technical/general public? Abstract thinking?
Choose contents and detail level of 3D visualization accordingly.
Less is more: Concentrate on the hot spots
Stay objective, dont manipulate (see also Variation of field of view)
Golden thread: Encourage your audience to follow the presentation:
- point out the relations between the scenes
- provide clear and traceable transitions between different topics
Keyframe Definition
Keep in mind that the video generally runs faster than the simulation
Smooth transitions or cuts?
Variation of field of view. Note:
- Wide angle (fov > 55 degrees): looks spacious - more generous
- Telephoto (fov < 20 degrees): looks focused and condensed - more dramatic
Too many fast camera pans may cause dizziness in the audience
Feedback
As a small request we kindly ask you to provide us with your
feedback upon this training course. It will only take a few
minutes. For your convenience weve prepared a web form that
you find here:
http://vision-traffic.ptvgroup.com/Training_Evaluation
Your rating and comments are highly appreciated and act as a valuable input for the ongoing
process of further improving our trainings.
Thank you very much.
Newsletter: Put your name on our emailing list to receive our quarterly news
Events: Meet us face to face at user group meetings and trade fairs
Click on one of the illustrations above to open directly the corresponding website in your web browser.
A1 General Data
Simulation time (for example 16:00 to 18:00 hrs)
Warm-up period (depending on the size of the network)
A2 Network Data
When using scanned maps, each map needs to be scaled and have the North direction
clearly marked.
Scanning: An A4 plan scaled to 1:500 should be scanned with 300 dpi, other scales
respectively.
Digital data: The maximum files size depends on the configuration of hardware and
operating system. Please check if the desired file format is supported by Vissim.
Plan showing the entire study area network
Detailed plans for each junction showing lane markings, signal heads and detectors (if
applicable).
Number and width of lanes for all links within study area (if not already included in other
plans)
Plan showing all bus/train stop locations (if not already included in other plans)
Network information
Routing of each line (bus/train) to be included in the simulation
Length of platforms of stops (if not already included in a plan)
Variation of desired speeds especially within bends
Service information
Timetable or frequency and headway for entire simulation period
Passenger interchange times (median and variation or empirical distribution). There can
be different times for the same stop for different lines and for the same line at different
stops.
Level of service (for example punctuality) of all lines (median and variation or empirical
distribution)
Special requirements (for example waiting for connections)
Vehicle information
Ideally for every additional vehicle type a 3D model should be present (for example from the
Vissim standard vehicle model library). Otherwise the vehicle is drawn as cuboid.
Vehicle length
Maximum acceleration and deceleration
For articulated vehicles for each segment:
- segment length
Position of
- front axle
- rear axle
- front joint
- rear joint
- all doors including their widths
If applicable, location of detector-activating equipment relative to the vehicle front.