Model Conversions

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

Converting a model from one package to another is typically undertaken when the existing software is old and no longer regularly updated, or when a particular feature is not available in the current package. The conversion work requires a thorough understanding of both the old and new software, together with skills in converting data files between formats.

We have converted:

• A TranPlan based model to run under Emme. The trip distribution model, originally written as an external FORTRAN module, was converted to Emme macros.
• A TransCad based model to run under Emme.
• A TRACKS based model to run under Emme.
• A TRACKS based transport model to run under Cube Voyager, working as part of a team.

We have used all the mainstream strategic transport modelling packages, including Emme, TRIPS and TRANPLAN (now part of Citilabs’ Cube suite), TRACKS (a New Zealand modelling package), TRAMS (Perth), TRANSCEND (Brisbane) and TRANSTEP (Canberra), and have had personal contact with many of the developers of SATURN, TranPlan, MVA’s TRIPS, Gabites Porter’s TRACKS, and INRO’s Emme and Dynameq software.