Synchro Studio 9 User Guide - baixardoc

Synchro Studio 9 Synchro plus Sim Traffic and 3D Viewer

Traffic Signal Optimization and Simulation Modeling Software

User Guide

Synchro Studio 9 User Guide

ii


Copyright 1993 – 2014 Trafficware LLC. All rights reserved.

All rights reserved. This manual, as well as the software described in it, is furnished under license and may be

used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license. Except as permitted by such license, no part of this

publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,

mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. This manual is designed

to provide authoritative information and guidance in regard to the subject matter covered. It is provided with the

understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering traffic planning, roadway design or transportation

engineering services. If expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Printed in the United States of America.

First Printing: April 2014.

Trademarks

Trafficware, Synchro and SimTraffic are registered trademarks or trademarks of Trafficware LLC. Microsoft

and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. HCS 2000, HCS 2010, and TRANSYT-7F are

trademarks of University of Florida. PASSER is a trademark of Texas Transportation Institute (TTI).

Written By

Trafficware, LLC.

Published By

Trafficware, LLC.

522 Gillingham

Sugar Land, TX 77487

www.trafficware.com

(281) 240-7233


iii

Keeping Up to Date To keep this information up to date, Trafficware might issue new printings of this manual. New printings reflect

minor changes and technical corrections. You can keep this information up to date by visiting and installing the

latest revision of the Trafficware software since this User Guide is replicated in the Help Menu of the program. To

find out if you have the latest revision or build of the software visit our website at www.trafficware.com.


iv

Acronyms and Abbreviations

CBD – Central Business District

HCM – Highway Capacity Manual

ICU – Intersection Capacity Utilization

LOS – Level of Service

MOE – Measure of Effectiveness

MUTCD – Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices

PED - Pedestrian

PHF – Peak Hour Factor

v/c – Volume to Capacity Ratio


v

Table of Contents Chapter 1 – Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1-1

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

Helpful Documentation ..........................................................................................................................................1-2

Additional Resources ..............................................................................................................................................1-3

Chapter 2 – Map View and Layout .......................................................................................... 2-1

Map View ...............................................................................................................................................................2-1

Map View Toolbar..................................................................................................................................................2-7

Templates (Tmplts) Toolbar ...................................................................................................................2-8

Node Toolbar ..........................................................................................................................................................2-8

Link Toolbar ...........................................................................................................................................................2-9

Lane/Movement (Ln/Mvt) Toolbar ........................................................................................................................2-9

HCM 2010 – Toolbar ...........................................................................................................................................2-10

Toolbar Customization .........................................................................................................................2-11

MAP View Keyboard Commands ........................................................................................................................2-13

Chapter 3 – Initial Synchro Model Set-Up .............................................................................. 3-1

File Units ................................................................................................................................................................3-1

Map Settings, Color, and Sizes ...............................................................................................................................3-1

Time Tracker in Synchro ........................................................................................................................................3-2

Scenario Manager ...................................................................................................................................................3-3

Network Settings ...................................................................................................................................3-4

Lane Settings ..........................................................................................................................................................3-5

Volume Settings .....................................................................................................................................................3-5

Timings Settings .....................................................................................................................................................3-6

Phases Settings .......................................................................................................................................................3-7

Simulation Settings .................................................................................................................................................3-8

Emissions Settings ..................................................................................................................................................3-8

Default Settings ......................................................................................................................................................3-9

Chapter 4 – Adding Background Images ................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Overview ................................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Using Bing™ to Add a Background Image ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Chapter 5 – Coding the Roadway Network ............................................................................. 5-1

Introduction to Links and Intersections ..................................................................................................................5-1

Mapping out Links and Intersections......................................................................................................................5-1

Select Intersection...................................................................................................................................................5-4

Rotate, Scale and Move the Map's Coordinate System ..........................................................................................5-8

Drawing Features ....................................................................................................................................................5-8

Chapter 6 – Overview of Data Entry Settings ......................................................................... 6-1

Full View Data Entry ..............................................................................................................................................6-1

Side View Data Entry .............................................................................................................................................6-2

Lanes and Volumes Data Rows ..............................................................................................................................6-3

Changing the Name of the Approach Direction .....................................................................................................6-3

Chapter 7 – Node Settings ....................................................................................................... 7-1

Signalized Intersection ...........................................................................................................................................7-1

Unsignalized Intersection .......................................................................................................................................7-1

Node Number .........................................................................................................................................................7-2

Zone ........................................................................................................................................................................7-2

Node Coordinates ...................................................................................................................................................7-3

Description .............................................................................................................................................................7-3


vi

Control Type ...........................................................................................................................................................7-3

Cycle Length ..........................................................................................................................................................7-4

Lock Timings ..........................................................................................................................................................7-4

Optimize Cycle Length ...........................................................................................................................................7-4

Optimize Splits .......................................................................................................................................................7-5

Actuated Cycle Length ...........................................................................................................................................7-5

Actuated Cycles by Percentile ................................................................................................................................7-5

Natural Cycle Length ..............................................................................................................................................7-5

Maximum v/c Ratio ................................................................................................................................................7-5

Intersection Delay ...................................................................................................................................................7-6

Intersection Level of Service ..................................................................................................................................7-6

Intersection Capacity Utilization ............................................................................................................................7-7

ICU Level of Service ..............................................................................................................................................7-7

Offset Settings ........................................................................................................................................................7-7

Mandatory Stop on Yellow ...................................................................................................................................7-11

Chapter 8 – Lane Settings ........................................................................................................ 8-1

Lanes and Sharing ..................................................................................................................................................8-1

Street Name ............................................................................................................................................................8-2

Link Distance ..........................................................................................................................................................8-2

Link Speed ..............................................................................................................................................................8-2

Set Arterial Name and Speed ..................................................................................................................................8-3

Travel Time ............................................................................................................................................................8-3

Ideal Saturated Flow ...............................................................................................................................................8-3

Lane Width .............................................................................................................................................................8-3

Grade ......................................................................................................................................................................8-4

Area Type CBD ......................................................................................................................................................8-4

Storage Length ........................................................................................................................................................8-4

Storage Lanes .........................................................................................................................................................8-4

Right Turn Channelized ..........................................................................................................................................8-4

Curb Radius ............................................................................................................................................................8-5

Add Lanes ...............................................................................................................................................................8-5

Lane Utilization Factor ...........................................................................................................................................8-6

Right Turn Factors ..................................................................................................................................................8-6

Left Turn Factors ....................................................................................................................................................8-7

Saturated Flow Rates ..............................................................................................................................................8-7

Right Ped Bike Factor .............................................................................................................................................8-8

Left Ped Factor .......................................................................................................................................................8-8

Right Turn on Red (RTOR) ....................................................................................................................................8-8

Saturation Flow Rate (RTOR) ................................................................................................................................8-9

Link is Hidden ......................................................................................................................................................8-12

Hide Street Name in Node Title ...........................................................................................................................8-12

Chapter 9 – Volume Settings ................................................................................................... 9-1

Traffic Volumes ......................................................................................................................................................9-1

Conflicting Pedestrians ...........................................................................................................................................9-1

Conflicting Bicycles ...............................................................................................................................................9-2

Peak Hour Factor ....................................................................................................................................................9-2

Growth Factor .........................................................................................................................................................9-3

Heavy Vehicles .......................................................................................................................................................9-3

Bus Blockages ........................................................................................................................................................9-3

Adjacent Parking Lane, Parking Maneuvers ..........................................................................................................9-4

Traffic from Mid-block ..........................................................................................................................................9-4

Link Origin Destination (O-D) Volumes ................................................................................................................9-5

Adjusted Flow ........................................................................................................................................................9-8

Traffic in Shared Lane ............................................................................................................................................9-8

Lane Group Flow ....................................................................................................................................................9-8


vii

Chapter 10 – Timing/Signing Settings................................................................................... 10-1

Timing Settings ....................................................................................................................................................10-1

Layout ...................................................................................................................................................................10-1

Signing Settings ....................................................................................................................................................10-2

Phase Templates ...................................................................................................................................................10-2

Turn Type .............................................................................................................................................................10-2

Protected and Permitted Phases ............................................................................................................................10-3

Permitted Flashing Yellow ...................................................................................................................................10-5

Detector Phase ......................................................................................................................................................10-5

Switch Phase .........................................................................................................................................................10-5

Leading Detector ..................................................................................................................................................10-5

Trailing Detector...................................................................................................................................................10-5

Minimum Initial ....................................................................................................................................................10-6

Minimum Split ......................................................................................................................................................10-6

Total Split .............................................................................................................................................................10-7

Yellow Time .........................................................................................................................................................10-8

All-Red Time ........................................................................................................................................................10-8

Lost Time Adjustment ..........................................................................................................................................10-8

Lagging Phase? .....................................................................................................................................................10-8

Allow Lead/Lag Optimize? ..................................................................................................................................10-9

Recall Mode ........................................................................................................................................................ 10-10

Pedestrian and Hold Phases ................................................................................................................................ 10-11

Sign Control ........................................................................................................................................................ 10-11

Median Width and TWLTL Median ................................................................................................................... 10-12

Critical Gap ........................................................................................................................................................ 10-12

Follow Up Time ................................................................................................................................................. 10-13

Roundabout Settings ........................................................................................................................................... 10-13

Measures of Effectiveness .................................................................................................................................. 10-13

Actuated Effective Green ................................................................................................................................... 10-13

Volume to Capacity Ratio .................................................................................................................................. 10-15

Control Delay ..................................................................................................................................................... 10-15

Queue Delay ....................................................................................................................................................... 10-16

Total Delay ......................................................................................................................................................... 10-16

Level of Service .................................................................................................................................................. 10-16

Approach Delay .................................................................................................................................................. 10-16

Approach Level of Service ................................................................................................................................. 10-17

Queue Lengths .................................................................................................................................................... 10-17

Warning Indicators ............................................................................................................................................. 10-18

How to Code an Overlap .................................................................................................................................... 10-18

Timing Settings Quick Start ............................................................................................................................... 10-20

Chapter 11 – Phasing Settings ............................................................................................... 11-1

Layout ...................................................................................................................................................................11-1

Percentile Scenarios ..............................................................................................................................................11-1

Ring and Barrier Designer ....................................................................................................................................11-2

Cluster Editor ........................................................................................................................................................11-3

Minimum Initial ....................................................................................................................................................11-4

Minimum Split ......................................................................................................................................................11-4

Maximum Split .....................................................................................................................................................11-4

Yellow Time .........................................................................................................................................................11-5

All-Red Time ........................................................................................................................................................11-5

Lagging Phase? .....................................................................................................................................................11-5

Allow Lead/Lag Optimize? ..................................................................................................................................11-5

Vehicle Extension .................................................................................................................................................11-6

Minimum Gap ......................................................................................................................................................11-6

Time Before Reduce .............................................................................................................................................11-6


viii

Time To Reduce ...................................................................................................................................................11-6

Recall Mode ..........................................................................................................................................................11-6

Pedestrian Phase ...................................................................................................................................................11-7

Walk Time ............................................................................................................................................................11-7

Flashing Don’t Walk Time ...................................................................................................................................11-7

Pedestrian Calls ....................................................................................................................................................11-7

Dual Entry ............................................................................................................................................................11-7

Fixed Force Off? ...................................................................................................................................................11-8

Percentile Green Times ........................................................................................................................................11-8

Modeling Occasional Pedestrians with Actuated Signals .....................................................................................11-9

Chapter 12 – Detector Settings .............................................................................................. 12-1

Number of Detectors ............................................................................................................................................12-1

Detector Phase ......................................................................................................................................................12-1

Switch Phase .........................................................................................................................................................12-1

Leading Detector, Trailing Detector .....................................................................................................................12-2

Detector Template ................................................................................................................................................12-2

Add Template .......................................................................................................................................................12-2

Detector n Position ...............................................................................................................................................12-3

Detector n Size .....................................................................................................................................................12-4

Detector n Type ....................................................................................................................................................12-4

Detector n Channel ...............................................................................................................................................12-4

Detector n Extend .................................................................................................................................................12-4

Detector 1 Queue ..................................................................................................................................................12-4

Detector 1 Delay ...................................................................................................................................................12-4

Chapter 13 – Simulation Settings .......................................................................................... 13-1

Storage Length ......................................................................................................................................................13-1

Storage Lanes .......................................................................................................................................................13-1

Taper length ..........................................................................................................................................................13-2

Lane Alignment ....................................................................................................................................................13-2

Lane Width ...........................................................................................................................................................13-3

Enter Blocked Intersection ...................................................................................................................................13-3

Median Width .......................................................................................................................................................13-3

Link Offset............................................................................................................................................................13-4

Crosswalk Width ..................................................................................................................................................13-4

TWLTL Median ...................................................................................................................................................13-4

Headway Factor ....................................................................................................................................................13-5

Turning Speed ......................................................................................................................................................13-5

Lane Change Distances ........................................................................................................................................13-5

Chapter 14 – HCM 2010 Settings .......................................................................................... 14-1

HCM 2010 Settings ..............................................................................................................................................14-1

Signalized Intersection - Automobile Mode .........................................................................................................14-1

Signalized Intersection - Pedestrian Mode ...........................................................................................................14-9

Signalized Intersection - Bicycle Mode .............................................................................................................. 14-12

TWSC Intersection - Automobile Mode ............................................................................................................. 14-18

TWSC Intersection - Pedestrian Mode ............................................................................................................... 14-22

HCM 2010 Roundabout Mode ........................................................................................................................... 14-25

Chapter 15 – Time-Space Diagram ....................................................................................... 15-1

Parts of a Time-Space Diagram ............................................................................................................................15-2

Time-Space Diagram Features .............................................................................................................................15-3

Time-Space Diagram Options ..............................................................................................................................15-5

Interacting with the Time-Space Diagram ............................................................................................................15-6

Relating the Time-Space Display to Delays and Queues .....................................................................................15-8

Chapter 16 – Signal Optimization Routine ............................................................................ 16-1


ix

Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................................16-1

Overview of Optimizations...................................................................................................................................16-1

Optimize-Intersection Splits .................................................................................................................................16-2

Optimize-Intersection Cycle Length .....................................................................................................................16-4

Optimize-Network Cycle Lengths ........................................................................................................16-9

Optimize - Intersection Offsets ........................................................................................................................... 16-15

Optimize - Network Offsets ............................................................................................................... 16-16

Coordinatability Factor ....................................................................................................................................... 16-18

Chapter 17 – Percentile Delay Method .................................................................................. 17-1

Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................................17-1

Delay Calculations ................................................................................................................................................17-1

Queue Length Calculation .................................................................................................................................. 17-21

Stop Calculations ................................................................................................................................................ 17-24

Fuel and Emissions Calculation .......................................................................................................................... 17-25

Unserved Vehicles Calculation ........................................................................................................................... 17-25

Dilemma Zone Vehicles and Safety ................................................................................................................... 17-26

Intersection Capacity (ICU) Calculations ........................................................................................................... 17-28

Stopped Delay vs. Signal Delay ......................................................................................................................... 17-31

Comparison of Analysis Methods ...................................................................................................................... 17-31

Chapter 18 – File and Project Management ........................................................................... 18-1

File and Project Management Overview ..............................................................................................................18-1

Save As .................................................................................................................................................18-1

Merge Files ...........................................................................................................................................................18-1

Save Part of a File .................................................................................................................................................18-3

Using Synchro with SimTraffic and CORSIM .....................................................................................................18-3

File Extensions .....................................................................................................................................................18-4

Chapter 19 – Reports and Printing ......................................................................................... 19-1

Printing Views ......................................................................................................................................................19-1

Select Reports Dialog ...........................................................................................................................................19-1

Viewing and Printing Reports ..............................................................................................................................19-2

Intersection Queue Report ....................................................................................................................................19-6

Intersection Capacity (ICU) Report ......................................................................................................................19-7

HCM 2000 Signals Report.................................................................................................................................. 19-10

HCM 2000 Unsignalized Report ........................................................................................................................ 19-12

Arterial Level of Service Report ......................................................................................................................... 19-14

Network Measures of Effectiveness Reports ...................................................................................................... 19-15

Multi-File Comparison Report ........................................................................................................................... 19-17

Timing Report - Sorted by Phase Number .......................................................................................................... 19-19

Actuated Green Times Summary ........................................................................................................................ 19-20

Actuated Start and Green Times Summary ........................................................................................................ 19-21

Actuated Phase Details ....................................................................................................................................... 19-23

Permitted Left Turn Factors Report .................................................................................................................... 19-24

Coordinatability Analysis Report ....................................................................................................................... 19-25

Time Tracker Report .......................................................................................................................................... 19-26

Chapter 20 – UTDF 2006 Edition.......................................................................................... 20-1

Data Format Support ............................................................................................................................................20-1

Planning a Network for UTDF .............................................................................................................................20-2

Reading and Writing UTDF Data .........................................................................................................................20-3

Editing UTDF Data with Other Software .............................................................................................................20-4

Using TMC Files ..................................................................................................................................................20-4

UTDF Specifications ............................................................................................................................................20-4

Minimum Data Necessary to build a Synchro file .............................................................................................. 20-14


x

Chapter 21 – Errors and Warnings ........................................................................................ 21-1

Coding Error Messages ........................................................................................................................................21-1

General Coding Errors ..........................................................................................................................................21-1

Synchro Errors and Warnings ...............................................................................................................................21-1

SimTraffic Errors and Warnings ..........................................................................................................................21-6

Chapter 22 – SimTraffic Operation ....................................................................................... 22-1

Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................................22-1

SimTraffic Operation ............................................................................................................................................22-1

Map Settings .........................................................................................................................................................22-5

Map Zooming and Scrolling .................................................................................................................................22-6

Signal status ..........................................................................................................................................................22-6

Vehicle Status .......................................................................................................................................................22-7

Create a Video in SimTraffic ................................................................................................................................22-8

SimTraffic Keyboard Shortcuts ............................................................................................................................22-9

Chapter 23 – SimTraffic Input Data ...................................................................................... 23-1

Input Data .............................................................................................................................................................23-1

Map View Data .....................................................................................................................................................23-1

Node Settings ........................................................................................................................................................23-2

Lane Settings Data ................................................................................................................................................23-3

Volume Settings Data ...........................................................................................................................................23-4

Timing and Signing Settings Data ........................................................................................................................23-5

Phasing Settings Data ...........................................................................................................................................23-6

Simulation Settings ...............................................................................................................................................23-7

Detector Settings...................................................................................................................................................23-8

Bends ....................................................................................................................................................................23-9

Coding Pedestrians ...............................................................................................................................................23-9

Chapter 24 – SimTraffic Advanced Parameters .................................................................... 24-1

Advanced Parameters ...........................................................................................................................................24-1

Intervals and Volume Adjustments.......................................................................................................................24-1

Database Access ...................................................................................................................................................24-4

Vehicle Parameters ...............................................................................................................................................24-5

Driver Parameters .................................................................................................................................................24-6

Calibrating Speeds and Headways ........................................................................................................................24-9

Fuel and Emissions Parameters .......................................................................................................................... 24-11

Controller Interface (CI) Options ....................................................................................................................... 24-12

Chapter 25 – SimTraffic Reports, Graphics and MOEs ........................................................ 25-1

Reports, Graphics, and MOEs ..............................................................................................................................25-1

Print Settings ........................................................................................................................................................25-2

Viewing and Printing Reports ..............................................................................................................................25-3

Simulation Summary Report ................................................................................................................................25-3

Measures of Effectiveness ....................................................................................................................................25-4

Queuing and Blocking Report ..............................................................................................................................25-7

Actuated Signals, Observed Splits Report ............................................................................................................25-9

Static Graphics .................................................................................................................................................... 25-10

Chapter 26 – The SimTraffic Model...................................................................................... 26-1

The SimTraffic Model ..........................................................................................................................................26-1

Traffic Generation and Assignment ......................................................................................................................26-1

Car Following and Speed Selection ......................................................................................................................26-2

Lane Choice and Lane Changes............................................................................................................................26-5

Lane Change Applications ....................................................................................................................................26-9

Unsignalized Operation ...................................................................................................................................... 26-15

Pre-Timed Signal Operation ............................................................................................................................... 26-18

Actuated Signal Operation .................................................................................................................................. 26-19

Synchro Studio 9 User Guide - baixardoc

Documents