NEXTA for TRANSIMS

 

 

Network EXplorer for Traffic Analysis (NEXTA) 

Please report software bugs and enhancement suggestions to Dr. Xuesong Zhou at zhou@eng.utah.edu

Developer Homepage

 

Downloads

 

1) A beta version of installer (version beta 1.02 01/21/2010):

http://www.civil.utah.edu/~zhou/NEXTA_for_TRANSIMS_Beta.exe

(If you do not have an administrative account to install the package, you can download and unzip

http://www.civil.utah.edu/~zhou/NEXTA_RELEASE.zip )

 

2) TRANSIMS data sets:

TestNet

http://www.civil.utah.edu/~zhou/TestNet.zip   (16 MB)

 

Alexandria

http://www.civil.utah.edu/~zhou/Alexandria.zip    (20 MB)

(To reduce the file size, occupancy and vehicle snapshot data are available between 7:00-8:00, so a user needs to move the clock bar to 7:00-8:00 in order to view occupancy and vehicle simulation results.)

 

3) A step-by-step tutorial about using NEXTA to visualize TRANSIMS simulation results

http://www.civil.utah.edu/~zhou/Visualizer_for_TRANSIMS_Tutorial.ppt

 

A complete online user guide:

http://www.civil.utah.edu/~zhou/NEXTA_for_TRANSIMS.html

 

Free License Agreement

NEXTA (Network EXplorer for Traffic Analysis) is a graphical user interface to facilitate preparation, post-processing and analysis of simulation-based dynamic traffic assignment datasets. NEXTA is extended from DSPEd 1.0, which was initially developed by ITT Industries, Inc. for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 2004. Dr. Xuesong Zhou has been maintaining and enhancing its capabilities since then.

Portions Copyright © 2003-2004 ITT Industries, Inc.

Portions Copyright © 2004-2008 Xuesong Zhou

By installing, copying, or otherwise using the NEXTA Software, you (either an individual or a single entity) agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. If you do not agree to the terms of this Agreement, do not install or use the Software.

 

FREEWARE LICENSE
This Software is being distributed as Freeware. It may be freely used, copied and distributed as long as it is not sold, and all original files are included, including this license. You are NOT allowed to make a charge for distributing this Software (either for profit or merely to recover your media and distribution costs) whether as a stand-alone product, or as part of a compilation or anthology, without explicit prior written permission. By using this Software, you agree to these terms and the terms of the Disclaimer below:

DISCLAIMER
This Software is provided "AS IS" and without warranty, express or implied. The software authors and the FHWA specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event the software authors and the FHWA will be liable for any damages, including but not limited to any lost profits, lost savings or any incidental or consequential damages, whether resulting from impaired or lost data, software or computer failure or any other cause, or for any other claim by the user or for any third party claim.

THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHT
This software is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group. Copyright © 1991-1998, Thomas G. Lane

Contents

1      About NEXTA............................................................................................................ 1-1

1.1    Introduction......................................................................................................................................................... 1-1

1.2    Hardware and Software Requirements.......................................................................................................... 1-1

2      Working with Files................................................................................................... 2-2

2.1    Starting NEXTA.................................................................................................................................................. 2-2

2.2    Importing an Existing TRANSIMS Project.................................................................................................... 2-2

2.3    Creating a New File............................................................................................................................................ 2-3

2.4    Saving the Network [In Development]............................................................................................................ 2-3

2.5    Closing the File.................................................................................................................................................... 2-3

2.6    Closing NEXTA................................................................................................................................................... 2-3

3      The Basics................................................................................................................. 3-1

3.1    Overview.............................................................................................................................................................. 3-1

3.2    Traffic Model Objects....................................................................................................................................... 3-1

3.3    The Physical Layout of NEXTA...................................................................................................................... 3-1

3.4    The Network Window........................................................................................................................................ 3-2

3.5    Menu Bar............................................................................................................................................................. 3-4

3.5.1      File Menu................................................................................................................................................. 3-5

3.5.2      Edit Menu................................................................................................................................................ 3-6

3.5.3      View Menu............................................................................................................................................... 3-9

3.5.4      Window Menu...................................................................................................................................... 3-15

3.5.5      Text File Menu...................................................................................................................................... 3-15

3.5.6      Project Menu......................................................................................................................................... 3-16

3.5.7      Help Menu............................................................................................................................................. 3-19

3.6    Tool Bar............................................................................................................................................................. 3-20

3.6.1      Common Tools..................................................................................................................................... 3-20

3.6.2      View Tools............................................................................................................................................. 3-21

3.6.3      Objects Tools........................................................................................................................................ 3-23

3.6.4      Default Link Type................................................................................................................................ 3-25

3.6.5      Simulation Tools.................................................................................................................................. 3-25

3.7    Link MOE Window.......................................................................................................................................... 3-36

3.8    Path Finding Bar............................................................................................................................................... 3-38

3.9    Status Bar.......................................................................................................................................................... 3-39

4      Working with the Network Window..................................................................... 4-1

4.1    Overview.............................................................................................................................................................. 4-1

4.2    Changing the View of the Network................................................................................................................. 4-1

4.3    Creating Links..................................................................................................................................................... 4-1

4.4    Creating Nodes.................................................................................................................................................... 4-3

4.5    Creating Zones.................................................................................................................................................... 4-3

4.6    Selecting Objects................................................................................................................................................. 4-4

4.6.1      Selecting a Single Object....................................................................................................................... 4-4

4.6.2      Selecting Multiple Objects..................................................................................................................... 4-4

4.7    Network Preferences.......................................................................................................................................... 4-4

4.7.1      Preferences: Colors Page....................................................................................................................... 4-4

5      Working with DTA Data.......................................................................................... 5-1

5.1    Network Data...................................................................................................................................................... 5-1

5.1.1      Editing Nodes.......................................................................................................................................... 5-1

Node Properties Dialog...................................................................................................................................... 5-2

5.1.2      Editing Links............................................................................................................................................ 5-4

Link Properties Dialog........................................................................................................................................ 5-5

5.2    Control Data........................................................................................................................................................ 5-6

5.2.1      Editing Pre-Timed Signal Controller Properties................................................................................. 5-7

Pre-Timed Signal Controller Properties Dialog.............................................................................................. 5-7

5.2.2      Editing Actuated Signal Controller Properties................................................................................... 5-8

Actuated Signal Controller Properties Dialog................................................................................................ 5-9

5.2.3      Editing Major and Minor Approaches to Stop and Yield Controlled Intersections................. 5-10

 

1         About NEXTA

The goal of NEXTA is to allow transportation planners and traffic engineers to quickly view link-based and vehicle-based simulation results, and easily layout and build traffic networks without having to know the required data format of a dynamic traffic assignment (DTA) program that will be used to perform analysis.  By displaying, editing, and storing the data in a manner that makes sense to a traffic engineer, NEXTA allows the engineer to spend time analyzing the data and making decisions rather than learning how to use a DTA program.  There is a very complicated relationship between the data and network.  As a user-friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI), NEXTA attempts to hide these relationships where possible.

In addition to hiding administrative details such as file structure, NEXTA provides many nice features not found in other traffic network editors.  Some of the features include:

n  Extending a network by dragging links out from existing nodes

n  Split an existing link into two links by dropping a node on the link

n  Layout a network using a background image as a guide to place nodes and links.

The editor is a stand-alone program.  No other program is necessary to create networks.  In order to perform analysis, the DTA simulation program is required.

 

The editor is a Microsoft Windows stand-alone application.  Therefore it will only run on Windows 2000 or more recent Windows platforms.  No special hardware or performance capabilities are required.  This is a very small application that uses few resources. 

2         Working with Files

After NEXTA has been installed, it can be started from the Windows Start button by selecting the program from the list of programs. 

Create project file and specify location of microsimulation control file.

As the first step to use NEXTA, a user needs to specify the relative location of the microsimulation control file in the first line of the project file *.tsp.

For example, the TestNet data set requires the following line:

setup\master\Microsimulator.ctl

 

The project file for the Alexandria data set should have

setup\control\Microsimulator.ctl

 

An existing TRANSIMS project can be opened by selecting the File | Open TRANSIMS Project menu command or the Open button on the tool bar. 

PullDownMenu_file

When the File Open dialog opens, browse to the directory where the existing file exists, select the desired file and click the Open button.  NEXTA will open a Network Window then read in all the necessary files and load the network in the Network Window.  Multiple networks can be open at the same time.

In order for NEXTA to locate the folder of a TRANSIMS project, a user needs to create a TRANSIMS project file with a “.tsp” filename extension.   For example, the TestNet project shown below includes a number of subfolders such as batch, control, demand, and inputs, then a “testnet.tsp” project file needs to be present under their parent folder “C:\transims\TestNet”.

 

By default NEXTA opens a new network window when the program starts.  This default can be turned off with the Preferences dialog.  To create a new traffic network file, select the File | New menu command or the New button new on the tool bar.  An empty Network Window will open in the program.  A new file initially contains no traffic model objects.  To name the network you must save the network.

To save a traffic network to a file, press the Save save button or choose the File | Save menu command.  If the network has not been previously saved to a file, a standard "Save As..." dialog box will appear so that you can choose a filename. If the network has been previously saved, the network will be saved to the file named in the title bar.

To close a Network Window, choose either the File | Close menu command or click on the close close file button located at the far right of the Network Window's title bar.  Note that the editor, which contains the Network Window, has its own close close nexta button located on the application’s title bar, clicking that button exits the editor rather than just closing the Network Window.

To close the editor select the File | Exit menu command or click on the close close nexta button located at the far right of the program’s title bar.

3         The Basics

NEXTA is a tool for creating and editing traffic networks and for viewing DTA simulation results.  The following activities might occur during a typical session with the editor:

n  Create a new project with the editor, or open an existing project.  Each file represents a traffic network, which may include surface streets and freeways, and parameters such as capacity.

n  View link-based and vehicle-based statistics.

n  Create new links, nodes, and other objects "from scratch" using a pointing device (such as a mouse).

n  Edit properties of objects like links and nodes.

n  Edit properties required to run the simulation.

n  Save the traffic network [In Development].

n  Close the network file.

When you have finished editing the network, you can run the simulation by opening the network with the TRANSIMS program [In Development].  This process may be repeated many times to achieve the desired results.

Traffic model objects are simply the elements that make up a traffic network.  These include links and nodes and other objects.  Links and nodes determine the geometry of the roadway network.  Other traffic model objects may include zones for example.

Traffic model objects can be manipulated graphically within the network window or their properties can be edited in their respective property dialogs.  Refer to Creating Links, Creating Nodes, and Creating Zones for more information.

The editor has the following physical components:

n  Network Window: the area displaying the traffic network.  This is the main workspace where the traffic model objects can be edited graphically by creating and dragging the objects with a pointing device such as a mouse. Most objects in the window can be clicked on to open a dialog that shows that objects properties.  This is discussed in further detail in later sections.

n  Title Bar: the area at the top of the application containing the name of the application and the name of the open file in the Network Window that has focus. If the data associated with the Network Window with focus has been changed since the last time it was saved, an asterisk will be shown at the end of the file name.

n  Menu Bar: the standard Windows menu bar allows users to operate the many aspects of the program.  This is discussed in further detail below.

n  Tool Bar: the set of buttons with icons depicting different aspects of the editor. Using the buttons allows faster access to the programs functionality.  This is discussed in further detail below.

n  Status Bar: the area at the bottom of the application.  This area displays messages and mouse cursor position information. This is discussed in further detail below.

The physical components will be described in the following sections.

The Network Window displays the actual file opened, as illustrated below.

Network_display

The following is a partial list of actions that can be performed within the window to create and manipulate a traffic network:

n  Create traffic network objects.

n  Zoom in or out of the Network Window.

n  Edit the properties of an object.

n  Move objects within the Network Window.

n  Delete objects.

The menu bar is a normal Windows menu bar.  Each menu item is discussed in detail below.

menu_bar

3.5.1                  File Menu

The following is the File menu. 

menu_file

File | Save Ctrl+S [In Development]

Selecting the File | Save menu command or pressing CTRL+S will save the currently active document.  If the file has not been saved before, a standard File Save dialog will appear to allow the user the set the file name.

File | Save as … [In Development]

Selecting the File | Save As menu command will bring up a standard File Save dialog to select the file name.  If a file name is selected and the dialog dismissed with OK, the active document will be saved with that name.

File | Reload Simulation Data with Selected Files

Reloads simulation data with selected files for a designated simulation run.

As there might be multiple snapshot files for the same simulation run, a user can click on menu ->File->Reload Simulation Data with Selected Files to reselect the simulation output files to be loaded. The user can select the snapshot, performance, and average occupancy files of a designated simulation run individually, and then click on the “OK” button to load the corresponding simulation results.

7-1

File | Close

Selecting the File | Close menu command will close the currently active document.  If the document has unsaved changes, the user will be given the opportunity to save the file.

File | Print…  Ctrl+P

Selecting the File | Print menu command or pressing CTRL+P will bring up a standard Print dialog to select the desired printer and printer properties.  Selecting OK on that dialog will send an image of the entire network to the printer. Selecting the “Selection” radio button will send an image of the current view to the printer.

File | Print Preview

Selecting the File | Print Preview will show an image of what will be printed.  Close this view to return to the network editor.

File | Print Setup…

Selecting the File | Print Setup menu command will bring up a standard Print Setup dialog to select the printer and print properties. You can select the printer that will be used to print and the type of paper and the orientation of the paper (landscape or portrait).

File | Recent Files

The area just above the Exit command is used to display the four most recently opened files.  You can quickly open the file by simply clicking on it.

File | Exit

Selecting the File | Exit menu command will close all active documents and the application.  If any documents have unsaved changes, the user will be given the opportunity to save them.

 

3.5.2                  Edit Menu

The following is the Edit menu. 

menu_edit

Edit | Delete Object  Del

Selecting the Edit | Delete Object menu command or pressing the Delete keyboard button will delete the current selection.  This menu item will only be active when an object or objects are selected.

Edit | Add Feature Point

A Feature Point helps to define the geometry of an object.  For example, the curvature of a link may be shown using feature points instead of breaking the link into multiple links where the node placement would define the curvature.  Selecting the Edit | Add Feature Point menu command creates a Feature Point between the end of the selected object and the existing Feature Point closest to that end. This menu item will only be active when a single object, such as a link or a zone, is selected.  You may also add feature points by right clicking on an object and selecting “Add Feature Point” from the popup menu.  Using this method feature points can be placed where the mouse click occurred.  When the object is selected the Feature Points are shown as a small light blue circles. After the Feature Point has been added you may grab the Feature Point with the selection cursor and drag it to the desired location.

Edit | Remove Feature Point

Selecting the Edit | Remove Feature Point menu command removes the Feature Point closest to the end of the selected object.  This menu item will only be active when a single object, such as a link or a zone, is selected.  When the object is selected the Feature Points are shown as small light blue circles.  You may also remove Feature Points by right clicking on an object and selecting “Remove Feature Point” from the popup menu.  Using this method specific Feature Points can be removed where the mouse click occurred.

Edit | Properties

Selecting the Edit | Properties menu command invokes the selected object(s) property dialog.  This menu item will only be active when an object or many objects of the same type are selected.  The property dialog for the type of object will allow you to edit that object’s different properties.  If more than one object is selected the edits that are made will apply to all selected objects.  This is fast way to make many changes to the properties of many objects of the same type. Refer to Section “Working with DTA Data” for descriptions of these dialogs.

Edit | Find Node Ctrl F

Selecting the Edit | Find Node menu command invokes the Find Node dialog.  The Find Node dialog allows you to enter a Node Number to select a node within the network.  If the node number exists the node will be selected in the network.  A selected node will appear highlighted with a magenta color that stands out from the rest of the network.  If you cannot see the node you may have to change the view by zooming out or use the Show Entire Network tool.  If the node does not exist within the network, a message box will notify you that the node cannot be found.

Edit | Find Link Ctrl A (rc)

Selecting the Edit | Find Link menu command invokes the Find Link dialog.  The Find Link dialog allows you to enter a FromNodeID + space + ToNodeID to select a link within the network. E.g. for a link from node 1 to node 2, a user can specify “1 2” in the input box to find this link. The user can also specify link ID or link name to find a link.

 

Edit | Distance

The cursor changes to the Distance Tool distance cursor. The Distance Tool allows the user to measure distances in the network.  Click the distance tool cursor on the location where you want to begin measuring.  As the cursor is moved away from that location the distance measured is displayed in the status bar.  Click the cursor again to create a “way” point.  Moving the cursor again will measure the cumulative distance from the starting point.  This technique can be continued to measure the distance along a path in the network with many changes in direction.  To start measuring again from a new starting point, double click the cursor.  The cursor can then be moved to the new starting location where you will click the cursor to start again.  To free the cursor from this "Distance Measuring" state, press the Select select button, press the Distance Tool selected_distance toggle button again, right-click in an open area of the network, or press the ESC key.

Network | Preferences…

This item opens the User Preference dialog. You can customize the default data and look of the network with this dialog.  Refer to Section Network Preferences for more information.

 

3.5.3                  View Menu

The following is the View menu.  .

Since a network may be too big to fit in the available space at a sufficient level of detail, the editor provides various commands for changing the view as described below.  These commands do not modify the network itself; they only affect the visible area.

View | Pan

The cursor has now changed to the Pan pan cursor. It repositions the network's display without affecting the current zoom level.  The position under the cursor will be centered in the window.  Repeated "pans" can be done without accessing the menu option.  To free the cursor from this "Pan" state, press the Select select button, press the Pan selected_pan toggle button again, right-click on an open area of the network, or press the ESC key.

Note: The user can use the View | Pan menu command to view outside the current extent of the network.  Holding down the CTRL key while rotating the mouse wheel centers the network on the location where the mouse wheel event occurred.

View | Zoom In

The cursor changes to the Zoom In zoom_in1 cursor. From this point, there are two different methods for implementing the Zoom In command; each providing different results.  One method is to place the cursor on a specific point in the network and press and release the left mouse button.  This will cause that point to become the center of an updated view, zoomed to a higher magnification level.  The other method uses a "rubber band" box to mark off the boundaries of a region, which will become the new view of the network.  To perform this operation, place the cursor on a point you want to become the corner of a zoomed-in view.  Press down and hold the left mouse button and drag the "rubber band" box to the point that forms the opposite corner of the new view. When you release the mouse button, the area within the "rubber band" will be expanded to fill the active window.  Repeated zooms can be done without accessing the menu option.  To free the cursor from this "Zoom In" state, press the Select select button, press the Zoom In selected_zoom_in toggle button again, right-click on the open area of the network or press the ESC key.  Zooming can also be accomplished with the Page Up / Page Down keys, the + / - keys or the mouse wheel.

View | Zoom Out

The cursor changes to the Zoom Out ZoomOut cursor. Place the cursor on a specific point in the network and press and release the left mouse button.  This will cause that point to become the center of an updated view, zoomed to a lower magnification level.  Repeat zooms can be done without accessing the menu option. To free the cursor from this "Zoom Out" state, press the Selection select button, press the Zoom Out selected_ZoomOut toggle button again, right-click on the open area of the network, or press the ESC key.

Note: The user can use the View | Zoom Out menu command to view outside the current extent of the network.  Zooming can also be accomplished with the Page Up / Page Down keys, the + / - keys or the mouse wheel.

View | Zoom In to Center  +/Page Up

This is a one-time version of the Zoom In mode.  The network zooms in at a fixed level to the center point of the window.  The + key or the Page Up key are short-cut keys for this command.  The mouse wheel also changes the level of magnification.

View | Zoom Out from Center  -/Page Down

This is a one-time version of the Zoom Out mode.  The network zooms out at a fixed level keeping the center point of the window. The - key or the Page Down key are short-cut keys for this command. The mouse wheel also changes the level of magnification.

Note: The user can use View | Zoom Out of Center menu command to view outside the current extent of the network.

View | Show Entire Network

Displays the entire network.  The view will be re-centered and zoomed in or out as necessary so that the network fills the window.  If other options, such as a background image, are shown, the view will change to show the largest area.

View | Node

Hides or shows the nodes on the network in the display.  The size of the node changes as you zoom in and out.  It may desirable to hide the nodes when zoomed in. Even when the nodes are hidden they can be selected by clicking in the empty space between two links where the node should be located.  When the node is selected it draws in it full size highlighted with a magenta color. Simply click away from any object to deselect the node.

View | Node Name
Hides or shows the node names on the network in the display.
View | Grid

Hides or shows the grid on the network in the display.

View | Link

Hides or shows the associated link attributes on the network in the display. The link attributes include Link name, number of Lanes, number of left-turn bays, number of right-turn bays, left-turn and right-turn bays, speed limit and link direction.

 

In the “occupancy” display mode, a user can select a link, and high light cell occupancy of selected link.

View | Tool Bar

Hides or shows the Tool Bar.

View | Status Bar

Hides or shows the Status Bar at the bottom of the application window.

View | Bottleneck Info

Hides or shows the bottleneck information on different links.

A user can click on menu View->Bottleneck Info-> Bottlenecks to display bottleneck information on different links.

8_bottleneckj info_blue

When the “Bottlenecks” menu is checked, links with bottlenecks are marked with red circles. The area of a circle is proportional to the total bottleneck delay (i.e. volume × average delay, which are extracted from the performance file). To distinguish different directions on two-way links, a bottleneck circle is located closer to its corresponding downstream node.

9_bottle neck-test

Bottleneck map of TestNet network

9_bottle neck-alex_blue

Bottleneck map of Alexandria network

 

A user can select menu View->Bottleneck Info-> Bottleneck Statistics to show detailed delay statistics of each bottleneck. For example, in the figure below, the bottleneck has a total 339 hours of delay, 1233 impacted vehicles and average delay of 16.5 minutes.

 

View | Change LOS Interval in Travel Time Contour

Customizes the thresholds of travel time categories displayed in travel time contour by selecting menu -> View -> Change LOS Interval in Travel Time Contour.

 

3_LOS interval

 

View | Go to First Minute with Vehicles

Set the slider of the clock bar at the first minute with vehicles.

A snapshot file might only cover a short time period of the entire simulation horizon. After a TRANSIMS project has been loaded, a user can click on menu->View ->Go to First Minute with Vehicles to jump to the first time stamp with snapshot data. 

2_go to

 

3.5.4                  Window Menu

Window | New Window

Creates a new window displaying the currently active document.  All windows displaying the same network will update as changes are made to the network from any window.  This is useful if you want to zoom in on two separate areas of the network at the same time.

Window | Cascade

Arranges the existing windows such that all the title bars are visible.

Window | Tile

Arranges and resizes the document windows so they cover the available space within the application window, are roughly the same size, entirely visible and not overlapping.

Window | Arrange Icons

Arranges the minimized document windows so they’re aligned along the bottom edge of the window.

3.5.5                  Text File Menu

 

Edits text files defined in Microsimulator control file

The new GUI now fetches input file names directly from the microsimulator control file. The input files can be opened and edited from menu -> Text Files, in alphabetical order or the commonly used order in the microsimulator control file.

 

3.5.6                  Project Menu

Project | Sort Link Performance Data

Sorts the links ascendingly based on a selected MOE

A user can click on menu Project->Sort Link Performance Data to sort, display and export the link performance data in a designated time window. A user can sort the links ascendingly based on a selected MOE such as density, speed, queue, volume and total bottleneck delay. A user can also change the time window under analysis by clicking the “Switch Time Window” button, and export data to a CSV file in a defined time resolution.

Note that, a bottleneck on a freeway link might be caused by queue spillbacks from downstream links. The next version of the GUI will have a new capability to identify “actual” bottlenecks and consider delays due to queue propagation through checking vehicle trajectories.

11_link_blue

 

Project | Sort Movement Performance Data

Sorts the intersection movements ascendingly based on a selected field.

For an actuated or pretimed traffic signal, a user can click on the “Properties” button to show the movement-specific volume and delay (in seconds).

For examples, for link 110->105 in the figure above, there are three movements with traffic volume: movement 110->105->104 has 326 vehicles with 729 seconds of average delay, movement 110->105->101 has 323 vehicles with 690 seconds of average delay, and movement 110->105->106 has 896 vehicles with 609 seconds of average delay. For a zero-volume movement, no statistics are shown.

A user can click on menu-> Project -> Sort movement performance data to display, sort and export the movement-specific volume and delay.

A user can click on a button, such as From Node, To Node, Control Type, Movement, Volume, Delay, to sort the corresponding statistics. In the Control Type column, N represents “no control”, A represents “actuated signal”, and P represents “pretimed signal”. The movement types include left (L), right (R) and through (T). The unit of delay is seconds.

A user can export the above data to a CSV file in EXCEL by clicking on the “Export” button.

3.5.7                  Help Menu

The following is the Help menu.  It contains online help commands.

Help | Help Topics

Brings up the main application help window.  The F1 key also opens the help window. Each dialog also has a help button that will open the help window with the current context shown.

Help | About NEXTA…

Brings up the About Box dialog containing NEXTA’s version and copyright information.

 

Most of the menu commands can also be accessed from the tool bar.  See the associated menu item for a detailed description. The Tool Bar can be shown or hidden with the Tool Bar item on the View Menu.  The tool bar is broken into four separate tool bars that can be moved independent of the other tool bars.

 

tool_bar

3.6.1                  Common Tools

The first tool bar has common Windows controls.

common_tool_bargif

New new

Create a new file.

Open open

Open an existing file.

Print print

Print the currently active document.

Print Preview print_preview

Display the currently active document in a print preview window.

Delete delete

Delete the selected object(s).

Cut cut

Remove the selected object(s) from the network and put them on the clipboard.

Copy copy

Copy the selected object(s) to the clipboard.

3.6.2                  View Tools

The second tool bar has tools that change the view of the network.

view_tool_bar

Distance distance

The cursor changes to the Distance Tool  distance  cursor. The Distance Tool allows the user to measure distances in the network.  Click the distance tool cursor on the location where you want to begin measuring.  As the cursor is moved away from that location the distance measured is displayed in the status bar.  Click the cursor again to create a “way” point.  Moving the cursor again will measure the cumulative distance from the starting point.  This technique can be continued to measure the distance along a path in the network with many changes in direction.  To start measuring again from a new starting point, double click the cursor.  The cursor can then be moved to the new starting location where you will click the cursor to start again.  To free the cursor from this "Distance Measuring" state, press the Select select button, press the Distance Tool selected_distance toggle button again, right-click in an open area of the network, or press the ESC key.

Pan

The cursor changes to the Pan cursor.  It repositions the network's display without affecting the current zoom level. Repeated pans can be done without accessing the menu option.  To free the cursor from this "Pan" state, press the Select select button, press the Pan selected_pan toggle button again, right-click in an open area of the network, or press the ESC key.

 

Move Network

The cursor changes to the Move Network cursor.  It repositions the network's display without affecting the current zoom level.  The location under the cursor will be centered in the window.  To free the cursor from this "Move Network" state, press the Select select button, press the Move Network selected_MoveNetworktoggle button again, right-click in an open area of the network, or press the ESC key.

.

Zoom In zoom_in

The cursor changes to the Zoom In zoom_incursor.  From this point, there are two different methods for implementing the Zoom In command; each providing different results.  One method is to place the cursor on a specific point in the network and click the left mouse button.  This will cause that point to become the center of an updated view, zoomed to a higher magnification level.  The other method uses a "rubber band" to mark off the boundaries of a region, which will become the new view of the network.  To perform this operation, place the cursor on a point you want to become the corner of a zoomed-in view.  Press down on the left mouse button and drag the "rubber band" box to the point that forms the opposite corner of the new view. When you release the mouse button, the area within the "rubber band" will be expanded to fill the active window.  Repeated zooms can be done without accessing the menu option.  To free the cursor from this "Zoom In" state, press the Select select button, press the Zoom In selected_zoom_in toggle button again, right-click on the open area of the network, or press the ESC key.  Zooming can also be accomplished with the Page Up / Page Down keys, the + / - keys or the mouse wheel.

Zoom Out ZoomOut

The cursor changes to the Zoom Out ZoomOut cursor. Place the cursor on a specific point in the network and click the left mouse button.  This will cause that point to become the center of an updated view, zoomed to a lower magnification level.  Repeated zooms can be done without accessing the menu option.  To free the cursor from this "Zoom Out" state, press the Select select button, press the Zoom Out selected_ZoomOut toggle button again, right-click on the open area of the network, or press the ESC key.

Note: The user can use the zoom out button to view outside the current extent of the network.  Zooming can also be accomplished with the Page Up / Page Down keys, the + / - keys or the mouse wheel.

Show Entire Network show_network

Displays the entire network.  The view will be re-centered and zoomed in or out as necessary so that the network fills the window.  If other options, such as a background image, are shown, the view will change to show the largest area.

Show/Hide Grid grid

Hides or shows the grid on the network in the display.

Snap snap

If Snap is enabled via the toolbar or Network menu, nodes and feature points will jump to the nearest coordinate location that is evenly divisible by the Snap Granularity value set on the Miscellaneous Preference dialog.  This only happens when a node or feature point is being created or dragged to a new location, otherwise nodes and feature points will remain in their location.  Turn Snap on to do a rough layout of nodes in a network but turn Snap off to precisely place nodes and feature points.

Show/Hide Node view_tool_bar
Show/Hide Zone  view_tool_bar

 

 

3.6.3                  Objects Tools

The third tool bar has tools that create or change network objects.

ObjectsToolBar

Select select

The Select or Arrow cursor is the default cursor.  To free the cursor from any other state, press the Select selected_selectbutton, right-click in an open area of the network, or press the ESC key.  To select an object, click on it.  When an object has been selected it will be highlighted in magenta.  If there were other objects selected prior to clicking on the new object, the other selected objects will no longer be selected.  It is possible to select multiple objects by holding down the CTRL key when clicking on objects.  By clicking and holding down the left mouse button and then dragging, everything that falls within the drag box will be selected.

Insert Node node

The cursor changes to the Node cursor.  Point the cursor at the location where you want the node and click the left mouse button. You can continue creating nodes by clicking the left mouse button until you select a different functionality.  To free the cursor from this state, press the Select select button, press the Node selected_node toggle button again, right-click in an open area of the network, or press the ESC key.  Refer to Section 4.4 Creating Nodes for more information.

Add One-way Link oneway_link

The cursor changes to the One-way Link oneway_linkcursor.  A single (one-way) link will be created when you click to create the starting location and then click again to create the ending location.  To free the cursor from this state, press the Select select button, press the One-way Link selected_oneway_link toggle button again, right-click in an open area of the network, or press the ESC key.  Refer to Section 4.3 Creating Links for more information.

Add Two-way Link twoway_link

The cursor changes to the Two-way Link twoway_link cursor. A pair of links running in opposite directions will be created when you click to create the starting location and then click again to create the ending location.  To free the cursor from this state, press the Select select button, press the Two-way Link selected_twoway_link toggle button again, right-click in an open area of the network, or press the ESC key.  Refer to Section 4.3 Creating Links for more information.

Add Zone zone

The cursor changes to the Zone zone cursor. The zone tool allows the user to create zones in the network.  To free the cursor from this state, press the Select select button, press the Zone selected_zone toggle button again, right-click in an open area of the network, or press the ESC key.  Refer to Section 4.5 Creating Zones for more information.

Add Stop Sign stopsign

Changes the active tool to the Stop Sign tool.  The cursor will be displayed as a stop sign symbol when the cursor is over a link.

StopSign_cursor_over_Link

When the cursor is not over a link it shows up as a cursor cursor. When you click on a link you assign that link as a minor approach to the node.  A red octagon shaped icon will be drawn next to the link near the downstream end.

Yield Sign yieldsign

Changes the active tool to the Yield Sign tool.  The cursor will be displayed as a yield sign symbol when the cursor is over a link.

yieldsign_cursor_over_link

When the cursor is not over a link it shows up as a cursor cursor. When you click on a link you assign that link as a minor approach to the node.  A yellow triangle shaped icon will be drawn next to the link near the downstream end.

Pre-Timed Controller pretimed

Changes the active tool to the Pre-timed Controller tool.  The cursor will be displayed as a pre-timed controller symbol when the cursor is over a node.

 

When the cursor is not over a node it shows up as a cursor cursor. When you click on a node you assign that node a pre-timed controller.  A white square shaped icon will be drawn on the node to signify that is a pre-timed controlled intersection.

Actuated Controller actuated

Changes the active tool to the Actuated Controller tool.  The cursor will be displayed as an actuated controller symbol when the cursor is over a node.

 

When the cursor is not over a node it shows up as a cursor cursor. When you click on a node you assign that node as an actuated controller.  A white circular shaped icon will be drawn on the node to signify that is an actuated controlled intersection.

Remove Control remove_control

Changes the active tool to the Remove Control tool.  The cursor will be displayed as a remove control symbol when the cursor is over a node.

 

When the cursor is not over a node it shows up as a cursor cursor. When you click on a node you remove any type of control that is present at that node.

3.6.4                  Default Link Type

The fourth tool bar has the default link type drop down selection list.

Default Link Type

Changes the default link type so that links created with the One-way Link Tool, the Two-way Link Tool.  Existing links will not be affected by this change.  This value can also be set on the Link Properties page on User Preferences dialog.  The default properties of the links that are created can be set on that page also. Refer to Section Error! Reference source not found. for more information.

 

3.6.5                  Simulation Tools

To view various simulation results, a user can select the “mode switch” drop down list in the tool bar to select the MOE to be displayed, for example, density, speed, queue, vehicle, volume, and travel time, and trace. Only in the “—Editor--” mode, the underlying node and link data can be changed. That is, all the other modes offer read-only views of simulation results.

 

A user can drag the slider of the clock bar shown below to view simulation results at any given time. The corresponding simulation time is displayed on the title of window. E.g. The current time is 1:33 out of 23:20 (simulation horizon).

 

 

A user can further click on one of the following buttons, to play simulation results, pause, stop, and rewind the display.

 

 

After a MOE type is selected, a Level Of Service (LOS) legend window will be shown.  The different colors represent commonly used LOE categories.  A LOS window can be shown or hided by clicking on button  in the simulation tool bar.

 

Occupancy: Unit %

 

 

 

Speed: meters/second

When the display mode is set to Queue, the queue length on each link is plotted on the network window.