VISUM FAQ

Where is the password for the service pack download stored? (#17)

The file 'DownloadServicePacks.txt' that is located in the Documents subfolder of your VISUM installation contains the password.

I'm getting the error message 'License expired' at the start of VISUM. Who can help me here? (#32)

VISUM licenses can be limited in time. In this case, please contact Traffic Customer Service.

What are VISUM release versions? (#46)

Release versions are VISUM program versions which must be installed separately. They differ from each other in the program version number including the first decimal place (e.g. 8.1, 9.4, 9.5, 10.0).

Where do I get information about new service packs? (#68)

If you want to be informed when a new service pack is released, please subscribe to our service pack notification list.

What is the difference between a release version and a service pack? (#84)

Release versions are stand-alone program versions that can be updated with service packs. Service packs contain improvements and error/bug corrections for the corresponding release version. They are cumulative, i.e. any service pack contains all previous ones (so only the latest one needs to be installed). However, they can only be used to update its associated release version, i.e. a service pack 950001 needs a basis VISUM 9.5 installation.

Does VISUM support 64 bit and multi core processors? (#89)

Up-to-date VISUM versions work smoothly with 64 bit and multi core processors. However, VISUM operations cannot be distributed on several cores. The necessary parallel processing functionality is currently being developed and will be implemented in a future release.

Which settings must be made for the Codemeter dongle on the dongle server to access VISUM from other computers in the network?  (#69)

The Codemeter settings menu is started by a right mouse click -> Web admin on the Codemeter symbol in the task bar. In the tab Configuration -> Network the checkbox 'Run network server' must be checked.

Where can the latest hardlock drivers be downloaded (Aladdin hardlock)? (#9)

The necessary files (hldrv32.zip) can be downloaded from the following website: (Download here). Administrator rights are needed to execute the application.

How can one-way roads be displayed? (#4)

For one-way roads there is a special tab in Graphic -> Parameters... that can be used to highlight the corresponding links. Furthermore, the attribute IsOneWayRoad of links can be used for the classified drawing mode. 

Why are some network objects (e.g. stop points on a link) not displayed? (#5)

Please check the following settings in the graphic parameters:

• Order of layers: This can cause that a layer is covered by another.
• Network object: Checkbox Avoid overlapping when drawing: If activated only one of several overlapping objects is shown
• Network object: Checkbox Draw until scale: Network objects are only drawn up to a certain scale.

Furthermore, filter settings and selections via the multiselect mode might be a reason as well.

Is it possible to use the isochones also for destination oriented analysis (e.g. accessibility of a city center)? (#7)

In order to get destination- instead of origin-bound results you might want to consider the following:

• Calculate and save the journey time skim matrix
• Extract the times to the corresponding (destination) zone
• External conversion to a user-defined attribute for zones
• Read attribute and visualize it in the 2D-Display.

More detailed information can be accessed from the VISUM technical support.

Is it possible to show a line network map? (#51)

You can draw the line paths by setting the graphic parameters (Link -> Link bars -> Display) as follows:

• Width: Display: Line, choose attribute (e.g. linerouteID), scaling from 0 to 0, max. width 1mm
• Label: show title with object name (the name should contain the line name or number)
• Fill style: Choose lines and set the colors with the Create button

In Link bars -> Bar labels further label features can be set. To avoid a double display of each line, it is advisable to filter one direction with the line (route) filter.

Can railway lines be drawn in the same way as in maps (black and white dashed lines)? (#76)

Yes, this is possible. Use two stroke layers in the link graphic parameters for the corresponding link type (see e.g. link type no. 9 in the Ka.ver file in \Example\Karlsruhe).

Colored backgrounds appear only black & white when printing to a PDF file.  (#102)

This is due to the underlying graphic engine which is a 3rd party DLL program. Its functionality is therefore beyond our influence. This problem arises with graphics that extend a size of 5000x5000 pixels. If the graphic is reduced to meet this criterion (e.g. with a graphics software), the print will be colored correctly. However, depending on the scale factor used for downsizing, the picture will be more coarse-grained.

What do colors and fillings (e.g. green ring) mean in the attributes column list? (#2)

• A green dot defines attributes without subattributes.
• Attributes with a red dot have subattributes that can be selected after clicking on the left plus ("+").
• A ring (as opposed to the dot) symbolizes an attribute that is not yet calculated.
  
  

Which kinds of attributes are available? (#13)

Attributes can be categorized according to various criteria. There are:

1. manually changeable input attributes vs. calculated attributes
2. direct vs. indirect attributes
3. VISUM built-in or predefined attributes vs. user-defined attributes (UDA)
4. Static vs. temporary attributes. Temporary input attributes can vary during time and have a deviating value for a certain amount of time that overwrite the default value. See also chapter 4.1 Attributes in the manual.

Where can I find a list of all attributes that are used in VISUM? (#50)

In the Documents subfolder of the VISUM installation there is the Excel file attribute.xls. It contains a list of all attributes including their ID, a short and a full name as well as a description.

In the column selection e.g. for lists there is a button for "Preset analysis time interval". What is it used for? (#74)

With this button attributes that are defined in time intervals (e.g. analysis period -> AP) will only be shown with the chosen time interval. Other time intervals are not visible. This pre-definition is useful if always only one kind of interval is used.

How can volumes be projected from analysis period to analysis horizon?  (#92)

Such a projection (typically from daily to yearly values) is done by a projection factor. It can be adjusted in Demand -> Tsys/Modes/Dsegs -> Demand segments -> Edit. 

How can links be set active where the value of attribute X is higher than the value of attribute Y?  (#103)

The difference of attribute X and Y needs to be saved in a user-defined attribute. Then a link filter has to be created for this attribute. Its value range is then, according to the result of the difference, higher or lower than 0.

Is it possible to simulate distance fare models in VISUM? (#26)

Yes, this is possible. However, not the link length is used for calculation but the number of traversed fare points. The number of fare points can be defined by the user for the network objects links and time profiles. In the distance fare calculation, both kinds of fare points are summed up.

Which general settings should be used for a PrT assignment? (#81)

We recommend the following parameters:
Assignment parameters:

• The number of iterations should be as high as possible. E.g., for the learning assignment, choose at least 100, better even 1000 iterarions.

Functions (see Calculate -> Procedures -> PrT-Functions):

• CR functions should rise also below 100% saturation, i.e. the exponent is not supposed to be > 4, better is a value of 2 to3. For a saturation > 100% a linear increase is desirable (e.g. the Lohse function).
• Scaling of the impedance, e.g. imp = 100 * tcur
• For up to VISUM 9.5: 3 decimal places for PrT demand
  
  

In the PuT assignment not the whole demand was assigned. How can the not-assigned demand be visualized? (#44)

The not-assign demand can be saved as so-called rest matrix. In order to do that, write via File -> Save as -> OD matrices the demand matrix of the assignment and choose a name. In the dialogue Save matrix select Assignment matrix and activate the checkbox Remaining matrix.

Are there default values for the assignment parameters? (#57)

All assignment parameters have reasonable default values and adequately defined value ranges. Still you should get familiar with the algorithms of the assignments and the impacts of the parameters to model the characteristics of your network. If necessary, parameters settings should be checked and adjusted.

Why are the entries/values in the attribute list for PuT operating indicators empty? (#22)

These attributes must be calculated in a separate step. In the menu Calculate -> Procedures -> Operations the procedure PuT Operating Indicators is used for it.

What does the error message "First face may not represent a hole. Face ignored." mean when creating a zone or territory?  (#49)

From VISUM 9.4 polygons can have several faces. When creating them, the orientation specifies if it's a surface or a hole: clockwise = hole, counter-clockwise = surface. During editing the shape the red arrows and blue shaded area indicates the direction of the element. The first face must always be a surface.

How is it possible to alter only filtered values in the matrix editor?  (#101)

By clicking on the normal calculation buttons (+,-,x,/), all matrix values are changed. To alter only the filtered ones, there is a button "Replace all filtered values" which is located in the right half of the matrix operation tool bar at the bottom of the window. 

From VISUM 10, is it not possible anymore to export a VISSIM network to an *.inp file? (#94)

From VISUM 10 the data exchange with VISSIM 5 and higher is done via the ANM format (Abstract Network Model). Its great advantage is that future changes in the VISUM network can be taken over to the exported VISSIM-ANM-network without discarding the changes that were done in VISSIM in the meantime (adaptive reading). *.inp files exported with VISUM 9 can be read in VISSIM 5, *.anm files exported from VISUM 10 can only be read by VISSIM 5 and higher. 

What has to be taken into consideration that it is possible to import changes to VISSIM that were done in VISUM to an existing ANM file that has already been altered in VISSIM?  (#95)

In the VISSIM ANM import dialogue, for "Save as VISSIM Input File" a file name has to be put in! In this file the informations are stored that are needed for a later ANM adaptive import.

Is it possible to import Cube data in VISUM? (#107)

PTV Vision hosts a free script that can be installed and added to the script menu. It comes with a detailed manual. To get it please contact our VISUM support.

My COM script stops with an error message after a few lines. The COM interface is registered. What's the reason? (#52)

Please check if there are valid references to the object libraries. It's correct if in the Microsoft Visual Basic editor in Extras -> References the VISUM Object Library x.x is activated.

How can the tool bar Net objects be restored? (#15)

This view can be turned on and off in View -> Tool bars -> Network objects.

How can I find out about the changes that were made a service pack? (#18)

In the installation of a service pack a PDF file called VISUMReleaseNotesxxx-e.pdf is copied in the Documents folder of your VISUM installation. It contains short descriptions about bug fixes and changes.

How can I find out about new features of a release version?  (#19)

In the \Documents\ subfolder of your VISUM installation there is a PDF file called Overview_xx.pdf that contains information about changes and new features.

Which hardware and software requirements must be met for VISUM? (#27)

We recommend the following: 

Operating system:

• Windows 2000 SP4
• Windows XP
• Windows Vista (see FAQ #89)

Hardware:

• > 2 Ghz processor
• Memory: at least 512 MB, for big networks 2+ GB (see FAQ #66)
• 17" monitor with a 1024 x 768 resolution as a minimum

Where can the Adobe printer driver for the creation of post script- and PDF-files be downloaded? (#29)

The driver can be downloaded here.

Is it possible to save the current window content directly from within VISUM? (#31)

For saving in a format-independent view there are several options:

With Extras -> Screenshot the window content (without title bars etc.) will be saved in the .jpg format (see also FAQ #3).

Via File -> Save as... -> SVG the window content can be saved in the vector based SVG format. This format can be read with all popular browsers.

Via File -> Print... -> PDF printer a PDF file can be saved. A PDF printer (e.g. FreePDF must be installed).

Which kinds of support are there for help? (#54)

Users with maintenance contract have access to the full FAQ area. 
Also our support team will be happy to help you in case of problems or questions (ways of contact see FAQ #56). 
For using our software we have a number of tutorials for different topics that you can order from our Traffic Customerservice (mailto: traffic.customerservice@ptv.de). By means of example data a step-by-step approach explains often occurring modelling and other questions that arise during a project work. The tutorials are suitable for both beginners and advanced users.

Is there a VISUM demo version available? (#55)

To get familiar with the VISUM functionality and its features, you are welcome to order a VISUM demo version at our (mailto: Traffic Customer Service).

How can I get in touch with the Technical Support? (#56)

The Technical Support is primarily an email service you can reach via our internt contact form. Alternatively, within VISUM choose ? -> Info -> Contact).

Customers with a maintenance contract get help about modelling questions and problems that are not covered by the manual or this FAQ. 

Our support will also be happy to pick up suggestions for improvement and ideas for further product engineering. 

Is it possible to show VISUM results in other programs? (#58)

Results can be saved in SVG format which is readable in all popular web browsers. Each network object will be shown in an extra layer, similar to a view common in GIS systems. The shapefile export allows views in an external program as well.

Can I create write-protected version files ("read-only")?  (#59)

In the download area of the service packs there is a tool MakeVersionReadOnly available that allows creating a read-only version file. Usage: MakeVersionReadOnly 

Please note that a read-only version file can NOT be transferred back to a normal state!

Is it possible to open version files that have more network objects than the VISUM license size allows? (#60)

To open such a version file it has to be transferred to a Read-only state (see FAQ #59). 

From VISUM 10.02-00 all VISUM license sizes exept A can read all version files. As soon as the license size is exceeded (e.g. by creating network objects or reading a network additionally), a warning message is displayed. From this point procedure and saving operations as well as COM access is not possible anymore.

Where are the specifications about the VISUM license size and the existing add-on modules located?  (#63)

Under Extras -> Licence the different criteria about the VISUM license size are listed as well as the information about the add-on modules. Modules which are included in the license are not greyed-out and can be activated and deactivated via the checkmarks. For changes in your license please refer to our (mailto: sales department).

VISUM has crashed during my work. Who can help me? (#72)

In case of a program crash please refer directly at the VISUM Technical Support. 

In the form, please describe as detailed as possible which step were performed that might have caused the crash. In many cases it's useful to include your data (version file). Of course we'll try to provide a fast solution that'll allow you to continue your work.

How is it possible to address up to 3 GB Ram per application in Windows XP? (#90)

This can be done via an entry in XP's boot.ini. Boot.ini is a hidden system file which can be edited in the following way: Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> System -> Tab "Advanced": Startup & Recovery: "Settings" -> System Start: "Edit"

Example-boot.ini for Configuration of the swap file:
[boot loader]
timeout=4
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems] 
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /3GB

Will settings on my antivirus utility affect the operation of VISUM? (#106)

You may not be able to write files to a network drive if your network administrator has certain settings active. Check with your network administrator regarding these settings, however these issues are often resolved by working from your local drive and saving the result files to the network drive if desired.