GB2358566A - GIS Interface - Google Patents

Abstract

<B>SATIVEW</B> is an interface between two pieces of computer software, SATURN a state of the art traffic assignment package and any GIS windows based package. The need for <B>SATVIEW</B> has arisen because SATURN is DOS based and does not incorporate or make use of the powerful graphics functionality available in Windows. Windows based GIS Packages offer powerful graphical utilities to present and manipulate geographic data in a user-friendly manner. They have been revolutionising the way in which traffic data can be organised and analysed. An interface to combine the analytical capabilities of SATURN with the powerful graphical capabilities of GIS is paramount. This invention is therefore a state-of-the art GIS interface to SATURN. A GIS interface can be developed to provide all of the functions that are currently available in P1X, SATLOOK and SATDB (software applications within the SATURN suite).

Description

2358566 SAMEW The Next Generation GIS Interface to SATURN ATVIEW

INTRODUCTION

PIX Program of SATURN has graphical capabilities to carry out a number of analyses on the model outputs of SATURN. The program is DOS based and hence does not incorporate/make use of powerful graphics functionality available in Windows. Windows based GIS Packages offer powerful graphical 0 W utilities to present and manipulate geog graphic data with ease of use. They have been revolutionising the way in which traffic data is being organised and analysed. A user-friendly interface to combine the analytical capabilities of SATURN with the powerful graphical capabilities of GIS is the need of the hour.

ADVANTAGES OF A GIS INTERFACE GIS packages have the following advantages over the conventional DOS based graphics programs.

Geographic Reference - Allows viewing transport planning data in combination with the underlying geographic features. This will help to understand the network in more detail and to refine the transport model. (More link classifications, better incorporation of geometric features such as "curvy" link etc.) Multiple Window facility - For example, different areas of network can be viewed in separate windows. While one window can provide the overall setting, the other can show the detailed information of a selected junction or link or both.

On Line Editing - Tools can be developed to facilitate on line editing of the network, i.e. at the same time when it is being viewed. (Currently only the properties of the simulation and buffer links can be modified; they can't be added or deleted on screen). Using GIS tools full on-line editing (modifying, adding or deleting) of nodes, links, signals etc can be provided.

Complex Selection Features - The features (riodes, links, etc.) can be selected based on their geographic location and /or their attribute value. They can be given different colour/thickness to represent the traffic volume or level of congestion.

Higher Resolution Graphics and Fast PAN and Zoom. - GIS packages offer high resolution graphics which enables the user to select different line colours, thickness and shading to serve their purpose of illustration. GIS packages are also capable of carrying out fast PAN and ZOOM operations.

1 Print Quality - Very High quality graphical prints can be produced and can be readily incorporated I i the final reports. Since windows supports WYSIWYG (What You See IS What You Get) formats, ustr can clearly set the emphasis and extent of the area they want to print. This facility can save a lot lo time in the report production, which is a crucial activity in every transport planning task.

SATVIEW - The Next Generation GIS interface to SATURN.

The above mentioned reasons are strongly in-favour of the development of a state-of-the art G interface to SATURN. A GIS interface can be developed to provide all of the functions, which C currently available in PIX, SATLOOK and SATDB. Schematically the interface can be represented s shown below:

SATURN NETWORK (BAT FILE) & ANALYSIS PROGRAMS (P I X, SATDB, SATLOOK) DOS WINDOWS ATVIE SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF A GIS INTERFACE SOFTWARE SELECTION There are currently a number of general purpose GIS packages available in the market. The popula ones are 1. ARCVIEW 2. Maplnfo 3. Autodesk world 2 A review of the above GIS software revealed that ARCVIEW package (from ESRI) is the best one for developing SATURN-GIS interface. The major strengths of ARCVIEW over the other two are stated below:

It has a project based structure. It organises data and corresponding geographic shape 0 flies collectively in a project file. So less effort is needed from the user for organisation of data files.

0 It offers a powerful scripting language (Avenue) for the development of customised solutions. ARCVIEW has an elaborate object model and a wealth of functions and methods to access and manipulate the geographic features.

It can be easily integrated with other DOS based as well as windows software.

PILOT PROJECT In order to demonstrate the capabilities of a GIS interface a basic pilot project has been developed. (P1. See attached output) OBJECTIVES:

To read and display the (network.DAT) file of SATURN and to store it in a GIS File format. To carryout simple on-line editing tasks and save the modified network as a standard DAT file.

METHODOLOGY The preliminary version of the program SATVIEW creates three GIS files from the single Network data (.DAT) file:

-3b NETWORPt NETWORK. DAT SATVIEW NETWORLn -3, NETWORTn (Each GIS file is a collection of a three separate files NETWOR. SHP - stores the shape of the feature e.g., point, lines etc.

3 NETWORD1317 - Stores the details of features such as length, width etc. NETWOM.SIIX - connects the datawith the Geographic features Pt, Ln or Tn The NETWORIPt stores the node co-ordinates and the attributes of the node such as their type (collected from the data under -353333 cards) The NETWORLn stores the link details such as Anode, Briode, Speed, Saturation flow capaciy etc.(Link details under 22222 cards and 33333 cards in the DAT file) The NETWORTn has the details of turns and signal detaiIS.(Collected from the data under 222J2 cards) Querying and Viewing The program reads the network and automatically draws the network on screen. The individual details of any junction or link then can be easily queried and viewed using menus and tool bars provided in the ARMEW.

On Line Editing - Once the features are selected the selected. feature's attribute values can be editd 1 on line. Edited details can be can be written again to a DAT file. (for network building using the SATNET program.) 4 SAMEW SATV11W The Next Generation GIS Interface to SATURN PROPOSED S0FrWARE DEVELOPMENT STAGES STAGE 1: Reading & displaying a DAT network File. Carrying out some simple editing of attribute values (such as renaming nodes, changing the speed or capacity of links etc. - Buffer network already completed) STAGE IL Querying and Displaying SATURN analysis program's output files. The interface can be developed to receive and graphically show the results of the queries submitted to SATLOOK or SATDB analysis programs. The powerful analysis capabilities of SATURN and powerful presentation capabilities of ARCVIEW can be integrated to derive maximum benefits.

STAGEI11: Advanced on Line- Editing. Addition or deletion of nodes and links can be carried out in the proposed GIS interface. There is a huge demanded for this facility from the SATURN users. On-line editing will speed up the analysis of various schemes on the network. For example, pedestrianisation schemes require the link to be either banned or deleted. A graphical adding/deleting tool, which subsequently updates the network to SATURN format, can dramatically improve the ease and speed of such analysis.

STAGE IV: Integrating Matrix Manipulations with the Network. Many times sectoring or expanding of matrices are required to present the data in an elegant and easily understandable format. Such operations can be built into the interface. Delineating a zone boundary can be carried out with much ease in a graphical format. A correspondence file can be produced online which then can be fed into the MXM5 program of SATURN to do the background calculations. The final result can be displayed on screen without leaving the GIS program.

1 i STAGE V: Digitising Zone Boundaries: The Zone boundaries for a new study area can 6 1 digitised from scratch using the GIS tools. (It requires some additional software, supplied separately).,' i STAGE V: Commercial Application Development: ARCVIEW offers a powerful utility call Viewer. Once a project is developed and stored in a specified format, then it can be viewed W. indows machine with the help of Viewer, a freely distributed software. Many transport planners w1 be able to share the GIS data without the need to have the software individually. However, only th pre-built-in features can be viewed, which may be just enough in many occasions.

STAGE V1: Development of Stand Alone Extension: The code can be bundled into an Extensi (a piece of software with some specifications and data) which can be distributed commercially. V can expect some revenues from the final product. (A similar product with the above features and som other additional functions has been priced at around ú 10,000).

ADVANCED FEATURES There are endless possibilities. By establishing a GIS database, we can classify & extract the netwo according to our specific needs. For example, we can derive a subset (cordoning) of the whole network for the development of local model for'l city & we can create a motorway only network Strategic network comprising of motor-way and major roads etc., THE REQUIREM[ENTS (excluding the development of advanced features) 1. A Pentium II PC running windows 98. (Min RAM 32 MB) 2. ARCVIEW Software and Development Kit ( ú 1600 - 2000) 3. Technical books and manuals ú200 3. Manpower and Time Middle Level: 8 months (Part time) Senior Level: (Testing and Documentation1 month 6

Claims (1)

1. CLAIM

   UNITED INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGIES LTD, claim that SATVIEW invented by SELVARADJ SIDAMBARAM will be the first software application to interface between the traffic assignment package, SATURN and windows based GIS packages.