Using OD matrices from previous versions

From version 9 and later, Vissim manages OD matrices in the Matrices list (Matrix attributes), (Modeling traffic demand with origin-destination matrices). You can view and edit the matrix content in the matrix editor (Editing OD matrices for vehicular traffic in the Matrix editor).

For the dynamic assignment, Vissim up to version 8 requires at least one OD matrix that is saved to an *.fma file. You can choose the *.fma file from the dynamic assignment parameters in Vissim up to version 8.

You cannot copy the OD matrix from the *.fma file and paste it immediately into the matrix editor in Vissim.

You can export an OD matrix from a previous version to Vissim version 9 and higher. The following applications and solutions are distinguished:

• In the matrix editor, Read from file
• In the Matrices list > Read from file
• Open the *.inpx file from Vissim 6, 7 or 8, in Vissim 9 or higher.
• Copy OD matrix and paste it into Vissim version 9 or higher.

Reading from file in the matrix editor

1.  In the matrix editor, make sure that the origin-source matrix of the desired matrix in the Matrices list is displayed.

2.  Make sure that the dimensions of the OD matrix in the matrix editor correspond to the dimensions that result from the number of zones in the *.fma file.

3.  In the matrix editor, click the  Read from file icon.

The Read matrix from file window opens.

4.  Select the *.fma file of your choice.

5.  Click the Open button.

The data is inserted into the matrix editor. In the Matrices table, the values of the TimeFrom andTimeUntil attributes are adjusted on the basis of the values of the *.fma file.

Reading from file in the Matrices list

1.  Make sure that the dimensions of the OD matrix in the matrix editor correspond to the dimensions that result from the number of zones in the *.fma file.

2.  In the Matrices table, right-click the matrix of your choice.

3.  On the shortcut menu, click Read from file.

The Read matrix from file window opens.

4.  Select the *.fma file of your choice.

5.  Click the Open button.

The data is inserted into the matrix editor. In the Matrices table, the values of the TimeFrom andTimeUntil attributes are adjusted on the basis of the values of the *.fma file.

Open the *.inpx file from Vissim 6, 7 or 8, in Vissim 9 or higher.

If you have access to the following files, to the Vissim versions and meet the requirements, you can open an older network file in Vissim 9 or higher and create an OD matrix:

• *.fma file selected in another *.inpx network file
• You have so far used the *.inpx network file in Vissim 6, 7 or 8. You can also open an *.inp network file from Vissim 5.40 in subsequent versions and save it as *.inpx file. Network files used in Vissim 5.40 and previous versions cannot be opened in Vissim version 6 or above. Vissim can no longer open an *.inp network file as of version 2023.
• Vissim from version 9

You have the following options:

• ►  Open the *.inpx network file in Vissim 9 or higher and save it.

• ►  Only for *.inpx files from Vissim version 9 and higher: Additionally read the *.inpx file into Vissim. In the Read additionally window, choose only the Matrices entry from (Reading a network additionally).

Vissim creates the matrices in the Matrices list (Matrix attributes). They are saved to the *.inpx file. The *.fma files are thus no longer required. You can edit the content of any matrix in the matrix editor (Editing OD matrices for vehicular traffic in the Matrix editor).

1.  In the attributes of the parking lots of the Zone connector type that you need for the dynamic assignment, make sure that you have selected the desired zones.

2.  In the list Matrices, make sure that in the TimeFrom attribute the desired start time of the interval and in the TimeUntil attribute the desired end time of the interval are defined (Matrix attributes).

3.  Before starting the simulation, make sure that the dynamic assignment parameters are as follows:

• On the Files tab, the Matrices option is selected.
• The desired matrix is selected in the list below.

Copy OD matrix and paste it into Vissim version 9 or higher.

If you have access to the following files and to Vissim version 9 or higher and meet the requirements, but do not have Vissim version 6, 7 or 8, you can copy the data from the *.fma file and paste it into a spreadsheet program or a similar program:

• *.fma file with OD matrix
• Vissim version 9 and higher
• Spreadsheet program or similar program
• *.inpx network file with or without Vissim network and with or without defined zones

Copy the data from the spreadsheet program or similar program to the clipboard and paste it into Vissim version 9 or higher, in the open network file, into the fields of the matrix editor.

Making sure that the zones of your choice are defined

From Vissim version 9 and higher, the number of zones defines the dimensions of the OD matrix. Therefore, before copying the data, make sure that in Vissim the zones are defined which match the copied data:

1.  To open Vissim version 9 or higher.

2.  If you want to paste the copied data into an existing network file, open this *.inpx network file.

3.  On the Traffic menu, click > Dynamic Assignment > Zones.

The number of necessary zones depends, for example, on your planning targets, the parking lots of the Zone connector type and/or the OD matrix that you want to insert.

4.  Make sure that the number of defined districts corresponds to the desired dimension of the OD matrix (Defining zones).

5.  On the Traffic menu, click > Dynamic Assignment > Matrices.

The Matrices list and the matrix editor open.

6.  If no matrix is defined in the Matrices list, define a matrix (Defining an origin-destination matrix).

7.  If matrices are defined in the Matrices list, make sure that the matrix attributes, that you want to copy to the trips, meet your requirements (Matrix attributes).

8.  In the Matrices list, double-click the matrix whose dimension you want to check and which you want to use at a later point in time in order to insert data.

In the matrix editor, the associated OD matrix is displayed and selected. The dimension of the OD matrix is automatically based on the number of zones defined. The dimension is displayed in the top left box (Editing OD matrices for vehicular traffic in the Matrix editor).

9.  If you want to change the dimension of the OD matrix, change the number of zones (Defining zones).

10.  On the File menu, click > Save.

11.  In Vissim, keep the network file and matrix editor open, so that you can insert the data after the next steps.

Copying an OD matrix

1.  Open the *.fma file in a spreadsheet program.

Some spreadsheet programs are supported by a wizard through which you can configure the distribution of the copied data across the individual cells.

2.  Make sure that each value, that indicates a number of trips, appears in a cell.

3.  If desired, save the file.

If you then select data in the spreadsheet program, you can select one or more cells. If you select multiple cells, these must cover a regular range of contiguous cells, for example 1 x 4, 5 x 3, or 6 x 6 cells.

If you select more than one cell, make sure that the range you selected corresponds to the dimension of the OD matrix in the matrix editor of Vissim that you want to copy the data to.

4.  In the spreadsheet program, select the desired range.

5.  Press Ctrl+C.

Inserting an OD matrix

1.  Switch to Vissim.

2.  Make sure that:

• The network file of your choice is open.
• In the matrix editor, the OD matrix is displayed for the desired matrix.
• The OD matrix in the matrix editor has the desired dimension.

In the next step, make sure that you select a range in the matrix editor, which can include the range from the clipboard:

• The range you copied must not be greater than the dimension of the OD matrix in the matrix editor.
• If you select more than one cell in the matrix editor, the range you selected must not be less than the range you copied.
• If you select a single cell, the range you copied must not be greater than the range available based on the cell you selected.

3.  In the matrix editor, select the desired number of cells.

4.  Press Ctrl+V.

The data is inserted into the matrix editor based on its volume and the number of selected cells. If the selected range is greater than the range you copied, the data will be inserted multiple times.

5.  In the attributes of the parking lots of the Zone connector type that you need for the dynamic assignment, make sure that you have selected the desired zones (Defining parking lots for dynamic assignment).

6.  In the Matrices list, make sure that in the TimeFrom attribute the desired start time of the interval and in the TimeUntil attribute the desired end time of the interval are defined (Matrix attributes).

7.  In the menu Traffic > Dynamic assignment > Parameters, go to the Files tab and select the  Matrices option (Attributes for the trip chain file, matrices, path file and cost file).

8.  In the list below, in the Matrix column, select the matrix of your choice.