WHAT IS NEW

in PTV Vissim/Viswalk 2023

Copyright© 2022 PTV Planung Transport Verkehr GmbH, Karlsruhe
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ContentContentPreamble ................................................................................................................................... 4
1Vehicle simulation .......................................................................................................... 5
1.1

Automatic Speed Limitation “in Curves” ....................................................... 5

1.2

Parking in Reverse [2022 SP 05]..................................................................... 5

1.3

Meso Simulation............................................................................................... 6
1.3.1

23

45

6

Automatic Creation of Meso Network Nodes

6

Pedestrian Simulation.................................................................................................... 7
2.1

Pedestrians in an Elevator no Longer Generate Delay................................ 72.2

Improved Alighting of Elevators [2022 SP 06] ............................................. 7Signal Control ................................................................................................................. 83.1

Ring Barrier Controller – New Functions ....................................................... 83.2

Fixed Time (simple) [2022 SP 06]................................................................... 8Visualization .................................................................................................................... 94.1

Lane Marking Types ........................................................................................ 94.2

FBX(Filmbox)-Format Support ....................................................................... 94.3

Compatibility break for ANI files .................................................................. 10Handling ........................................................................................................................ 115.1

Network and Scenario Comparison ............................................................ 115.2

Improved Duplicating ................................................................................... 115.3

Rotation of (single) links with left mouse button and ALT key .................. 125.4

WMS Web Map Service Configuration Assistant [2022 SP 04] ................ 125.5

Show in list [2022 SP 04] ............................................................................... 125.6

Ctrl+L Swaps Main and Fallback Language [2022 SP 03] ......................... 125.7

Vehicle Attribute Decisions and Attribute Modifications .......................... 125.7.1

Function „Extract substring“

125.7.2

Using Values From Free Distribution as Key [2022 SP 03]

13

Technical Changes ....................................................................................................... 14
6.1

CodeMeter Runtime ...................................................................................... 14

6.2Python ............................................................................................................. 14

Preamble
This document provides an overview of PTV Vissim/Viswalk’s important changes fromversion 2022 to version 2023 regarding handling and program behavior. Features whichhave already been added in service packs of version 2022 are only partially covered inthis document. Please see the version 2022 service pack release notes for more of thesefeatures. The release notes for versions 2023 SP xy include additional new features which
are also not included in this highlights document.
Detailed descriptions of how to use the new functionality can be found in the Vissim
2023 online help and in the document “Vissim 2023 - Manual.pdf“.

Vehicle simulation1
1.1

Vehicle simulation
Automatic Speed Limitation “in Curves”
This function is not fully functional in 2023 Beta. Simulation and results are not realistic.
The function will only be fully available with a service pack.
In reality, vehicles usually drive slower in curves than on straight tracks, depending on
the radius of the curve. In Vissim, this could previously only be modelled by reduced
speed areas. This modeling approach is time-consuming and error-prone, especially if,for example, changes to the route geometry require a subsequent adaptation of the reduced speed areas. To reduce this effort and modeling errors, Vissim 2023 offers an automatic speed limitation depending on the curviness of the track.
With the new network settings attribute "Speed limitation in curves" the automatic speed
limitation can be activated for a network.
In addition, the new attributes "Radius source" and "Radius effect" can be used in thenetwork editor at link points to determine whether the radius is calculated from the linkgeometry or entered by the user and whether or how the radius works there. For new
networks and newly created links, the default setting is such that the automatic speed
limitation is active ("Radius source" is "Calculated" and the "Radius effect" is "Brake").
When reading existing networks, manually entered radii are not changed. The automatic
speed limitation cannot be combined with the lateral drift speed – a specific link point
can only be affected by the (one) behavior that is defined by the "Radius effect" attribute("Brake", "Drift" or "No Effect").
The "Curve speed function" allows the definition of a minimum, average and maximum
desired curve speed per vehicle type depending on the radius. Individual vehicles determine their desired curve speed normally distributed within these values, with the samerandom number that also determines their individual desired speed – i.e. drivers who
have a high desired speed are also willing to drive through curves at higher speeds.
Time losses due to the automatic speed limitation are not included in the delay measurements.

1.2

Parking in Reverse [2022 SP 05]
Parking lots can have the new values “Reverse > forward” and “Any > opposite” for theattribute “Parking direction”. Both require a connector coming from a “downstream” position on the main road, i.e. where vehicles have already passed the parking lot link, tothe parking lot link. That connector must have the new attribute “Reverse parking” set totrue. A parking lot route must lead from a parking lot decision across that connector tothe parking lot link. This parking lot route has the calculated attribute “Parking direction”
set to “Reverse”. Parking lot routes have the new attribute “Relative flow” which defines
the probability of each of the parking lot routes leading to the same parking lot to be
used by a vehicle which has selected that parking lot at the parking lot decision.
In the car park creator, there is the new option to select the percentage of vehicles parking in reverse. If this is 0%, only parking lots for forward parking are created (along withVehicle simulation

the required links, connectors, routes and decisions). If this is 100%, only parking lots forreverse parking are created (along with the required network objects). For all other values, the parking lots are created for both forward and reverse parking, with the connectors and routes for both options.
Collision prevention is handled automatically as for parking out in reverse. No conflict areas or priority rules are required, and it is recommended to avoid those in the proximityof parking lots for reverse parking and or parking out in order to prevent deadlocks. Onconnectors with the attribute “Reverse parking”, no network objects are allowed at all.

1.3

Meso Simulation
1.3.1

Automatic Creation of Meso Network Nodes

The new "Create Meso Network Nodes" function automatically creates the meso network
nodes required for a mesoscopic simulation. The prerequisite is that the network is suitable for a dynamic assignment and that the nodes for the dynamic assignments are oftype "polygon".
Similar to networks created via ANM import, the new function saves the time-consuming
and complicated manual creation of meso network nodes and complies with the rules
for modeling meso network nodes, so that a mesoscopic simulation can be carried out
with little time.
The function can be accessed via a menu entry under "Traffic->Dynamic Assignment",
the context menu in the node list or (if nodes are selected) in the network editor.
The new node attribute "Allow recreation" makes it possible to preserve existing meso
network nodes and exclude them from the automatic creation. To do this, it must be set
to "off" for the respective meso network node.

Pedestrian Simulation

22.1Pedestrian Simulation
Pedestrians in an Elevator no Longer Generate Delay
Pedestrians in an elevator no longer generate any delay. In contrast to the time spent
waiting for the elevator, the time in the elevator is part of the trip and in Vissim 2023 nolonger generates any delay.

2.2

Improved Alighting of Elevators [2022 SP 06]
With the new elevator door attribute "Relative distance for dwelling", the preferred position of pedestrians in the elevator cabin can be adjusted. From 0.0 "at the door" to 1.0"at the wall opposite to the door", the entry behavior can be modeled. Values larger than
1.0 are also possible and result in more pushy alighting.

Signal Control

33.1

Signal Control
Ring Barrier Controller – New Functions
The range of functions of the "new" Ring Barrier Controller introduced with PTV Vissim
2022 has been extended. It now also supports configurations for "free running TSP" and"coordinated TSP". The functionality for "preempt" is still under development. This will
only be delivered with a future service pack.

3.2

Fixed Time (simple) [2022 SP 06]
The new SC type "Fixed Time (simple)" enables the modeling of (simple) signal groupbased signal controllers. Double activations and a time-of-day signal plan selection are
not possible with this SC type.
The attributes "End of red", "End of green", "Amber", "Green flashing time" and "Redamber time" of signal groups of a signal controller of this type can be edited directly inthe list of signal groups. This allows fast modeling of simple fixed-time signal controllers.
In addition, these signal group attributes can be changed during the simulation, e.g. by
attribute modifications or COM scripts, which allows the modeling of vehicle actuatedsignal controllers with a little creativity.
"Fixed time (simple)" is the first SC type available in Vissim on Linux and for whichchanges of signal group attributes of the same SC can be combined from different modifications in scenario management.

Visualization

44.1

Visualization
Lane Marking Types
The new “Lane Marking Types” allow the use of local lane markings. Previously, lane
markings, i.e. the dashed lines between the lanes, could only be switched and adjusted
globally for the entire network. The new “Lane Marking Types” allow different dashesand can be assigned individually for each lane. This makes it possible, for example, tomodel your own markings to clearly separate parallel parking spaces, bus lanes, having(no) lines for extra-wide lanes or hard shoulder lanes on motorways.
PTV Vissim 2022

PTV Vissim 2023

For a “Lane Marking Type”, “Color”, “Line width”, “Line length” and “Gap length” can beset. By assigning it to a lane of a link, the lane marking on the left side of that lane is determined.

4.2

FBX(Filmbox)-Format Support
Vissim 2023 supports the FBX (Filmbox) format. This format is a widely used standard of
3D software such as Autodesk or Blender. The format allows animation states that can beexplicitly used and controlled. Until now, the use of animations and explicit animation
states to visualize, for example, a closing or opening of an automatic parking barrier was
cumbersome and had restrictions.
Vissim 2023 is delivered with new standard 3D models in FBX format, which are also
used by the delivery examples.
The previously delivered standard 3D models in V3D format can be found in the directory "Exe\3DModels\_Legacy (files will not be distributed with future versions)\" after anew installation, and inpx files with references to the old standard models automaticallyVisualization

find them in this directory when they are opened. In future versions, these files will nolonger be delivered. If required, the most recently delivered files can be backed up andused manually.

4.3

Compatibility break for ANI files
The animation files in ANI format have changed and are no longer compatible with previous versions.
ANI files saved in Vissim 2023 or later cannot be opened with Vissim 2022 or earlier.
ANI files saved in Vissim 2022 or earlier cannot be opened with Vissim 2023 or later.

Handling

55.1

Handling
Network and Scenario Comparison
Vissim 2023 offers the possibility to compare networks and scenarios with each otherand to display the differences in the form of an interactive tree and in the network editor.
The new function "Compare Current Network with Network File..." in the menu "File>Compare and Transfer Networks" allows you to compare the currently loaded networkwith another network.
In networks that are managed with scenario management, the context menu "Comparewith loaded scenario..." compares a scenario with the loaded scenario. Also available inthe context menu the entry "Show content for selected scenario/modification..." loads ascenario or a modification and compares it with the base network or its initial state (basenetwork plus all dependent modifications).
The comparison shows all changes at the attribute level, as well as added or deleted objects. The differences are displayed in a new view as a tree structure. Changed (blue),added (green) or deleted (red) objects or attributes are marked differently. In the network editor, affected polygon or polyline objects (links, nodes, sections, areas, obstacles,ramps and elevators) are marked with the same color. The network editor can be synchronized with the new view in the usual way.

5.2

Improved Duplicating
Copy and paste of multiple selections within a network has been improved. This applies
in particular to the behavior of selections of multiple objects that are not self-contained,
i.e. if there are references to objects outside of the multi selection. For example, if areas

Handling

containing waiting areas for PT stops without the PT stop itself are copied or if areas
which are the destination of a pedestrian route without the pedestrian route itself arecopied. Previously, objects with references to objects outside of multi selection were notpasted. With Vissim 2023, such objects are pasted, whereby references to objects outside the multi selection are set to the reference of the original object.
The new behavior provides a fast, intuitive and comfortable copy and paste behavior(also for “drag and move” with left mouse button with pressed CTRL key). It also allows,for example, to copy and paste connector links easily.

5.3

Rotation of (single) links with left mouse button and ALT key
The gesture "Drag with left mouse button with pressed ALT key" now also works for single links and allows the rotation of the selected link. Previously, this was only possible
with a multi selection of several links at the same time.

5.4

WMS Web Map Service Configuration Assistant [2022 SP 04]
In the “User Preferences”, there is now a new dialog under "GUI" and "Background map"that allows a convenient adding and configuring of user-defined web map services(WMS). The detailed manual specification of a URL is no longer necessary.

5.5Show in list [2022 SP 04]
From lists, the lists of other network objects can now be opened via the context menu ofthe column header. This functionality is available for all attributes that reference othernetwork objects with their own list. For example, you can directly open the list of “VehicleTypes” from the list of all "Vehicles In Network" by right-clicking on the column header"Vehicle type" and selecting "Show Vehicle Types".

5.6

Ctrl+L Swaps Main and Fallback Language [2022 SP 03]
The new global keyboard shortcut Ctrl+L swaps the main language and the fallback language in the user preferences.

5.7

Vehicle Attribute Decisions and Attribute Modifications
There are additional new features for vehicle attribute decisions and attribute modifications.

5.7.1

Function „Extract substring“

The new function „Extract substring („x“; „s“; n)” (WORDN) allows to extract the “n”-th occurrence of a substring from a string “x” using the delimiter string “s”. For example, thenumber of the second link of the link sequence of a vehicle route can be extracted.
WORDN(„10120,33,10121“;",";2) = 33

Handling

5.7.2

Using Values From Free Distribution as Key [2022 SP 03]

Free distributions can now be used in vehicle attribute decisions and attribute modifications to set references to other objects. The random value drawn from the free distribution is rounded and interpreted as a key of the object to set at the target attribute.

Technical Changes

6

Technical Changes

6.1

CodeMeter Runtime
The CodeMeter runtime version deployed with PTV Vissim has been updated to CodeMeter 7.40b.

6.2

PythonPTV Vissim 2023 installs Python 3.9 as an embedded package below the Vissim-Exe directory. This ensures that a compatible Python version is used by Vissim scripts and reduces interference with system wide Python installations. It is not required to manually
install Python anymore.