Defining links

Define links in the Network Editor in the movement direction. You can define straight links or add intermediate points to change the course of the link. You can also define a circular link to model a roundabout in the desired size and in a symmetrical, circular shape.

With Viswalk you can also define the link as a pedestrian area (Modeling links as pedestrian areas).

Tips:  

  • Alternatively, you can define links in the Network Editor via the shortcut menu > Add New Link, if the network object type Links is selected on the network object sidebar.
  • You can specify that you need not press the Ctrl key when adding network objects (Right-click behavior and action after creating an object).

Defining straight links

1.  On the network object sidebar, click Links.

2.  In the Network Editor, point the mouse pointer to the desired starting point of the link.

3.  Press the Ctrl key, hold down the right mouse button and drag the mouse to the desired end point of the link.

4.  Release the keys.

The link is shown in color in the network editor. The link contains attribute values and lane attribute values of the link last created. If no link was created since the network was loaded or if the previously created link was deleted, default values are used. The movement direction is shown by arrows at the edges of the link. The Link window opens. The new link is assigned the attribute Number, which is the next higher number available for links.

5.  Edit the attributes (Attributes of links).

6.  Confirm with OK.

The attributes are saved in the Links list.

Using intermediate points to define links with a curve shape

While dragging open a link, you can set intermediate points to change the link direction. This allows you to model complex curves when inserting a link.

1.  On the network object sidebar, click Links.

2.  In the Network Editor, point the mouse pointer to the desired starting point of the link.

3.  Hold down the Ctrl key and the right mouse button, and drag the mouse to the desired first point of a curve.

Release the Ctrl key. Keep the right mouse button held down until you have inserted the entire link. Use the left mouse button to insert intermediate points.

4.  Hold down the right mouse button and click the left mouse button.

5.  Continue to add intermediate points this way, until you have reached the final point of your link.

6.  Release the keys.

The link is shown in color in the network editor. The movement direction is shown by arrows at the edges of the link. You can move the intermediate points, which allows you to model the link precisely. If you zoom out too far, arrows and intermediate point cannot be fully displayed. The Link window opens.

7.  Edit the attributes (Attributes of links).

8.  Confirm with OK.

The attributes are saved in the Links list.

Defining a link in reverse direction

Highlight a link or link sequence to create a link or link sequence in its reverse direction. This allows you to model a Change of driving direction for public transport vehicles at PT stops, for example for shuttle services or terminal stations (Editing a PT line stop). In this case, the public transport vehicle is shifted to the overlapping link in the opposite direction when leaving the PT stop.

1.  Select the desired link or link sequence.

2.  Right-click the highlighted link.

3.  On the shortcut menu, click Create Reverse Direction for all Links.

Vissim copies the highlighted link or link sequence and pastes it into the highlighted link or link sequence of the reverse direction.

Defining a circular link

1.  On the network object sidebar, click Links.

2.  In the Network editor, right-click the desired starting point of the circular link.

3.  On the shortcut menu, click Add Circular Link.

The circular link is displayed when the mouse pointer points to the Network editor. The movement direction is shown by arrows at the edges of the link. By default, the circular link has 48 intermediate points. The visualization of intermediate points depends on the diameter of the roundabout and the magnification selected for the Network editor.

In addition, at the mouse pointer the Add Circular Link window shows the current value for the diameter and the number of intermediate points. The Diameter field is selected.

Tip:  

Using the steps described below this tip, you keep the 48 intermediate points and define the diameter by dragging the circle with the mouse. Alternatively, you can enter a value for the diameter using the keyboard. The field with the diameter value is already preselected in the Add Circular Link window at the mouse pointer. In addition, if you want to change the number of intermediate points while the Add Circular Link window is displayed, press the Tab key. The field with the number of intermediate points is selected. You can overwrite the value. Confirm with Enter.

4.  In the Network editor,use the mouse pointer to drag the circular link in the desired direction until the required size is reached.

The length and diameter of the circular link are displayed in the status bar, to the right of the coordinates of the mouse pointer position.

5.  Click.

The Link window opens. The new link is assigned the attribute Number, which is the next higher number available.

6.  Edit the attributes (Attributes of links).

7.  Confirm with OK.

The attributes are saved in the Links list. Vissim adds a link from the end of the circular link to the beginning of the circular link and thus closes the circular link. The attributes of this connector are saved to the Links list. The new connector is assigned the attribute Number, which is the next higher number available for connectors.

You can use the same command for the roundabout that are available for links, e.g.: