Overview of add-on modules

The add-on modules of the installed Vissim version are displayed in the License window (Showing program and license information). Vissim is available with the following add-on modules.

General modules

The BIM Import module converts BIM files (Building Information Model) of the data format IFC (Industry Foundation Class) into INPX files. These converted INPX files are meant for use in pedestrian simulation with Viswalk.

Nearly every CAD software supports IFC export and thus provides an interface between the CAD software and Viswalk. The Importer converts slabs into areas, walls into obstacles and can import stairways, whilst keeping the level structure. Slabs with curves or holes are automatically optimized for use in Viswalk during data import.

The script interface COM (Component Object Model) allows you to access all network objects and their attributes in your Vissim network. COM offers the possibility to automate Vissim as well as an extended functionality for applications beyond the Vissim user interface. In addition, the COM interface contains event-based scripts which allow the simulation of systems that react to different states of the simulation and/or influence the simulation through embedded scripts.

COM supports various programming languages, for example Python, VBS, JavaScript.

A detailed description of the COM interface can be found in the following document: Vissim <VersionNo> - COM Intro.pdf, in the directory ..\Doc\Eng\ of your Vissim installation.

The COM interface is an API, but it is not part of the API add-on module.

The module Dynamic assignment is used to distribute the vehicles automatically among the available paths. Only an origin-destination matrix and the parking lots assigned to the zones must be predefined. It is not necessary to enter static routes manually.

With dynamic assignment, during a series of successive simulation runs, vehicles use a number of paths that increases with each simulation run. Vissim calculates their average travel times. Based on this information, Vissim continuously adjusts the distribution of vehicles on the paths, using vehicle-specific factors such as travel time, path length and costs, for example toll charges.

You can use parameters to influence the selection of destination parking lots, paths and iterations. Furthermore, route guidance systems and parking management systems can be modeled.

  • Emissions
  • EnViVer Pro

EnViVer Pro is a tool used to calculate emissions based on vehicle record data. It is based on the microscopic exhaust and emission model VERSIT+ by TNO. This model is based on data collected from approx. 2800 vehicles. Their emissions were measured under different driving conditions. EnViVer Pro imports the Vissim vehicle record and computes comprehensive emissions data for carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and PM10 within the evaluation area. The results can be output in a table or graph.

  • EnViVer Enterprise

In addition to the functions of EnViVer Pro, EnViVer Enterprise allows for the modeling of additional vehicle classes, individual time periods as well as automatic processing of several input files.

Emission calculation based on Bosch emission data. You can assign an emission class distribution to each vehicle type. When a vehicle is inserted into the Vissim network during the simulation run, an emission class from the distribution assigned to its vehicle class is assigned to the vehicle. You can record the results in evaluations and visualize them on links in the Network Editor.

  • Landside Demand Generator

Script-based solution for a semi-automatic workflow to convert external flight data (such as flight schedules, passenger arrival time patterns, etc.) into data that can be used in Vissim to model and simulate landside road traffic at airport terminals. The demand data obtained this way is written into an appropriately prepared Vissim network which allows users to simulate vehicle traffic in airport forecourt area. The demand data is generated from flight plans and other airport-related data stored in a special Excel workbook. Once the Vissim network is modeled and configured, changes to flight-related demand no longer need to be made in the Vissim network. A script updates the data changed by the Demand Model Generator in Vissim and the Vissim network in a single step.

Allows users to define toll links and toll-free links: Both decision model and price model can be defined for toll price models.

The module allows for significantly faster simulation of larger networks compared to microscopic simulation. The driving behavior is still based on individual vehicles and a temporal resolution of, e.g., a tenth of a second. The difference is that the individual vehicles are not looked at with each time step, but only when an event occurs. Such an event could, for instance, be a vehicle reaching the end of a route and traversing a node, or a signal controller switching to green.

The main benefits of mesoscopic simulation are increased simulation speed and less time required for creating and calibrating the network.

If an area of the network still needs to be microscopically simulated, including all the details, hybrid simulation can be used. It allows you to select one or multiple sections for microscopic simulation, while the rest of the network undergoes mesoscopic simulation.

Viswalk Is used for professional pedestrian simulation, either as a stand-alone solution or in combination with Vissim. The dynamic model is based on the Social Forces Model developed in 1995, inter alia, by Prof. Dirk Helbing. It allows pedestrians to walk independently to their destination, without a network model predefining their trajectories.

A simple pedestrian simulation, based on directed routes (instead of areas), is included in Vissim. It is based on the car following model of Professor Wiedemann, as is the vehicle simulation. It does not require the Viswalk module.

Signal controllers (basic)

Contains only signal group-based (also known as “phase-based”) fixed time signal controllers. For the North American market, RBC Level 1 is included.

Signal controllers (advanced)

Contains signal controllers developed by PTV: Vissig, VAP & VisVAP. For the North American market, RBC Level 3 is included.

Vissig complements the signal group-based (also known as “phase-based”) fixed time control (which is included in any basic Vissim version and in the Visum module Junction editor and control) by additionally providing stage-based fixed time signal control. Vissig contains a graphical editor for defining stages and interstages. Interstages can also be automatically generated by Vissig. Besides providing the usual functionality, the signal program editor allows users to easily extend or shorten stages and interstages. Additionally, Vissig offers an interface for the export of signal data compliant with VAP in the PUA format so that a traffic-dependent signal control with VAP can be easily generated on the basis of the generated stages and interstages. All signal plan information can be exported to Microsoft Excel and easily added to reports.

VAP enables Vissim to simulate programmable vehicle-actuated signal controls (signal controller). This is possible for both stage or signal group based signal controls. During Vissim simulation runs or in the test mode, VAP interprets the control logic commands and generates the signal control commands for the signal control that become effective in the network. Vice versa, detector parameters are retrieved from the Vissim network and processed in the logic.

The VAP program logic is described in a text file (*.vap) with a simple programming language. It can be also be exported from VisVAP. The signal data file (*.pua) can either be comfortably exported from Vissig or generated manually in a text editor.

The range of application of VAP stretches from controls for individual nodes over PT priorities to complex control systems for entire corridors or subnetworks. Additionally, applications in the ITS range, e.g. variable message signs (VMS) or temporary side lane clearances are readily possible.

Flow chart editor for VAP: VisVAP (short for Visual VAP) is an easy to use tool for defining the program logic of VAP signal controllers as a flow chart. All VAP commands are listed in a function library. The export function allows users to generate VAP files, which saves additional changes to the VAP file. Moreover, VisVAP provides a debug functionality that during a running simulation in Vissim allows users to go through the control logic step by step using the control logic. It also shows the current values of all parameters used in the logic. To start VisVap, from the Start menu, choose > PTV Vision program group.

Ring Barrier Controller Level 3: This module enables PTV Vissim to simulate signal controllers that are controlled according to the North American standard procedure "ring barrier controller". It provides a dedicated user interface for the RBC parameters.

External signal controllers

The following signal controllers are part of the add-on module External signal controllers.

This module allows users to simulate signal control procedures, which are available as a separate executable application (*.exe) or program library (*.dll). These can be either standard procedures supplied by PTV GROUP or other providers, or procedures developed internally with the API module.

Interface to the D4 Traffic Signal Controller Software

Interface to signal controllers that describes the LISA+ procedure of the Schlothauer company The actual control DLL, including the user interface for control parameter entry, must be obtained from the Schlothauer company.

Interface to the McCain 2033 Intersection Control software. The software, which runs on 2070 controllers, has an extended range of functions and a user-friendly display that allows users to control a wide variety of traffic control applications.

This module is used to simulate signal controllers specified according to the Australian SCATS procedure. The actual control DLL and the GUI for entry of the control parameters (SCATS.DLL, SCATS_GUI.DLL, WinTraff, ScatSim) must be obtained from Roads and Maritime Services of New South Wales, Australia.

The SCOOT interface is used to simulate signal controllers that are specified according to the British SCOOT procedure. The actual control DLL and the GUI for the control parameters (SCOOT.DLL, SCOOT_GUI.DLL, PCScoot) can be obtained from Siemens UK.

Interface for signal controllers by SIEMENS, which use SiTraffic Office to control signal controllers at traffic junctions.

Interface for TRENDS signal controllers. TRENDS DLL files and GUI DLL files can be obtained from GEVAS Software GmbH, Munich.

Interface for VS-Plus signal controllers. The traffic-actuated control software VS-PLUS for fully traffic-actuated control of individual intersections and coordinated links and networks with semi-traffic actuation. The actual control DLL and the GUI DLL can be obtained from VS-Plus AG, Switzerland.

Additional signal controllers

This module enables user to simulate signal controllers that run on ASC/3 North American controller devices by Econolite. A dedicated user interface for control parameter entry is included in the add-on module External signal controllers.

Programming interfaces

SignalControl, SignalGUI, DriverModel, and EmissionModel.DLL files. The API package enables users to integrate their own or external applications in order to influence a PTV Vissim simulation.

Driving simulator interface

This add-on module allows users to couple Vissim and driving simulators (Network settings for the driving simulator). This includes driving simulators that simulate cyclist and pedestrian traffic. The driving simulator can be either hardware controlled by a user or software representing the algorithms of one or more autonomous vehicles.

Superordinate topic:

Basics