Model Conversions

All the modern software packages are so powerful that few modellers ever use every available feature in the software package. In fact, many modellers may not be aware of some of the advanced features which are available in their transport modelling software package.

Converting transport models from one software package to another is typically done when the transport modelling software is old and not regularly updated, or if some particular compelling feature is not available in the existing software package. The actual conversion work requires a more thorough understanding of the old and new software packages, as well as skills in converting data files from one format into another.

Transport Modelling has converted the following models:

• A TranPlan based model to run under Emme. The challenging aspect of converting the trip distribution model was written as an external module in FORTRAN. These FORTRAN programs were also converted to Emme macros.
• TransCad based model to run under Emme
• A TRACKS based model to run under Emme
• Team members to convert a TRACKS based transport model to run under CUBE voyager

Transport Modelling has used all the main-stream strategic transport modelling packages such as Emme, TRIPS and TRANPLAN now part of Citilab’s Cube suite of modelling programs, TRACKS is a transport modelling software package from New Zealand: TRAMS (Perth), TRANSCEND (Brisbane) and TRANSTEP (Canberra).

Over the years Paul has had personal contact with many of the developers of the SATURN, TranPlan, MVA’s TRIPS, Gabites Porter’s TRACKS, and INRO’s Emme and Dynameq software packages.

In every case, developers have been very keen to share the intimate detailed knowledge of the finer aspects of their software package. Often they were very happy to share the challenges faced as the software designer, as well as the issues of the model’s application to real life modelling tasks.