Ahead of the Curve

Interchange Planning, Operational Analyses and Geometric Design Course with Joel P. Leisch was a Great Success

Transoft Solutions — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:29:18 -0800

Transoft Solutions was pleased to sponsor the 3-day professional development course, which was held on January 10-12. The training was designed for for transportation planners, traffic engineers and highway designers, and instructed by Joel P. Leisch, an internationally recognized expert.

The course was held at Transoft Solutions corporate headquarters with attendees from across Canada. Being instructed by Mr. Leisch was a big draw for attendees because of his extensive knowledge and expertise. He has had more than 40 years of experience as a consultant to 26 Departments of Transportation in the U.S., the USDOT, and transportation agencies in Israel, Japan, Canada, Greece and New Zealand. Mr. Leisch is also the author of the ITE, Freeway and Interchange Geometric Design Handbook.

Here is some of the general feedback we received from the attendees:

"Excellent course material, delivered by knowledgeable instructor…very good value for money."

"Awesome presenter…”

"Good course overall with a lot of usable information..."

Here is what some had to say when asked if they would recommend this course to others:

“Yes. Take advantage of access to a leading mind in the transportation field…”

“Yes, it was a very comprehensive course for anyone working on interchanges.”

“Yes. Great topics, lots of case studies, expert instructor.”

Transoft would like to thank Joel P. Leisch, all of those who attended and our team here at Transoft that helped plan and organize this event.

Spotlight on TORUS Roundabouts 3.0

Transoft Solutions — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:55:34 -0800

Digital Marketing Coordinator, Harp Bhandal, speaks with Software Development Manager, Chris Milne, about the latest version release of TORUS Roundabouts 3.0.

Join Transoft Solutions for the Live Online Launch Presentation for TORUS Rounabouts 3.0

Transoft Solutions — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:54:04 -0800

NEW VERSION RELEASE: TORUS 3.0 FOR ROUNDABOUT DESIGN AND PLANNING

Learn all about the new abilities that now integrate SIDRA INTERSECTION software vehicle capacity analysis and geometric design into modern roundabout layouts with this release of TORUS.

Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Time: 10am PST | 12pm CST | 1pm EST

Register Here:

https://transoftsolutionsevents.webex.com/transoftsolutionsevents/onstage/g.php?d=663294516&t=a

BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN CAPACITY ANALYSIS AND GEOMETRIC DESIGN
TORUS has evolved over the last three years through valuable customer feedback and industry requirements. In TORUS 3.0, We have added another dimension to roundabout design. By working with SIDRA, vehicle capacity analysis is now possible. Our vision is to bridge the gap between capacity analysis and geometric design. TORUS can now work whether you have one designer that handles both capacity analysis and geometric design, or you have two engineers collaborating their efforts.

ABOUT SIDRA INTERSECTIONS 5.1
SIDRA INTERSECTION software is an advanced traffic evaluation tool that employs lane-by-lane and vehicle drive cycle models. SIDRA INTERSECTION is renowned worldwide for the use in intersection capacity, level of service and performance analysis by traffic design, operations and planning professionals. SIDRA INTERSECTION model can be used to evaluate and compare capacity, level of service and performance of alternative treatments involving signalized intersections, roundabouts, roundabout metering signals, two-way stop and give-way (yield) sign-control, all-way (4-way and 3-way) stop sign control, single-point urban interchanges, and signalized mid-block crossings for pedestrians. To learn more about SIDRA and their products, visit www.sidrasolutions.com

Just Released! TORUS Roundabouts 3.0

Transoft Solutions — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:54:26 -0800

NEW! VEHICLE CAPACITY ANALYSIS INTEGRATION
This video demonstrates the new link between TORUS and SIDRA INTERSECTION 5.1 and the ability to import and synchronize key vehicle capacity data from SIDRA that will in turn update geometric points within the roundabout design creating new workflow efficiencies.

To view more TORUS 3.0 videos or for more information, please visit: http://www.transoftsolutions.com/torus/details

Transoft Solutions’ InVision Goes Beyond Simulation with Video Animations

Transoft Solutions — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:19:15 -0700

By Brock Haroldson, ConnectPress Editor

Transoft Solutions recently released a new version of their InVision software. This software allows for the creation of animations that show how multiple vehicles will interact with a design. The simulation can then be saved as an AVI file for presentations and visual confirmation of a design.

In InVision it is possible to set the speed and starts and stops of multiple vehicles in the animation. You can also move the camera view within the simulation environment and even show the animation from the driver’s view. The new version has been improved to keep up with the 3D capabilities of other CAD software.

Some of the new features in this version include: multiple rendering options - wireframe, shaded or realistic; high definition, realistic 3D vehicle models; and multiple camera viewing options within the animations.

“The ultimate goal is to produce an output video file … from the CAD environment in a common format played in most media players out there, to allow the operational video to be shared with technical and nontechnical stakeholders,” Michael Frost, business development manager, Transoft Solutions, said.

The animations help designers to “provide that means of technical design information, design challenges and mitigation of any design issues, while there sitting there with their clients,” he said.

“A lot of times non-technical stakeholders involved in projects do not pick up on the details of heavily lined or lined laden CAD drawings,” Frost said. So visualizations can help get the point across better.

Frost said that visualization has become more popular and easier to use. “I think it’s got a great path ahead of it still as well … It’s come from being very expensive and needing very specialized applications to do this work, to getting down to simpler to generate, the data is there, the applications are costing less.” InVision costs around $500 U.S. “As the 3D design has been coming along, the visualization is getting more and more accurate.”

InVision takes simulation info created in the Transoft products, AutoTURN or AeroTURN to make the animations. You don’t even have to have AutoTURN on your system just the files. With these products you can simulate vehicle movement to find out things like if a vehicle will have an “undercarriage clearance collision, or an overhead clearance collision, or off street geometry - if they have a utility pole or signal arm,” Frost said.

“That’s picked up in the video as well, so they could have a couple of sequences of video. One as a first pass showing if you have as built infrastructure or if you designed this way, this is the problem you’re going to run into, this is where the problem’s occurring. Then they can go back and they can lay out their solution and show how this has solved that problem.”

Frost said that the main point of InVision is not just visualization, but “it’s to be more sensitive to the engineering aspects of what the users are taking a look at, proving the vehicle movements have sufficient space along the roadway, identifying any of the conflicts or collisions and then ultimately showing how their mitigated.”

As far as where the actual designs come from, InVision is compatible with designs from AutoCAD 2007 through 2012 (except AutoCAD LT), and MicroStation V8.1, V8 2004, XM and V8i. “It will be an MDL application for Bentley platforms or an ARX application for the Autodesk platforms,” Frost said. “When we sell licenses of our product, it’s compatible on both platforms.”

Frost pointed out that Bentley and Autodesk products do have video tools, “but they tend to be a camera flying over a bunch of static items … but actually getting movement is the thing people have a lot of challenge with. And the next one besides movements is, getting accurate or precise movement for a vehicle … and that’s where the two benefits come in with InVision.

Regardless of the CAD platform you’re designing in, Frost says the learning curve is short and the work flow is simple. “Often our users feel that our work flow, our environment and how the interact with our software, it’s very familiar to them out of the box,” he said. “It’s familiar to the point that they forget at times that this is a third party application. It feels like a native tool that’s been provided to you inside of your CAD package.”

To see a video go here. For more information visit Transoft Solutions' Website http://www.transoftsolutions.com/invisionat.

View article as published on Microstation Connections website:

http://www.microstationconnections.com/feature_full_guest.php?read=1&cpfeatureid=62077&page=all

AutoTURN Training in Calgary and Edmonton

Transoft Solutions — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:33:12 -0700

AutoTURN Training in Calgary and Edmonton

Get The Most From Your Software Investment with a One Day Training Session.
AutoTURN training in Calgary and Edmonton.
DON'T MISS OUT: SIGN UP TODAY!

Calgary Cansel 236 40 Avenue NE Calgary, Alberta T2E 2M7 Date: August 29 and 30, 2011 Time: 9am - 4pm Cost: $550 CAD	Edmonton Cansel #201, 10440 176 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5S 1L3 Date: August 31 and September 1, 2011 Time: 9am - 4pm Cost: $550 CAD

>> 10% off for registrations made by Aug 15, 2011

Transoft Solutions will be hosting four separate days of AutoTURN 8.0 training in Alberta. Learn how to get the most from the world's foremost vehicle turning simulation and swept path analysis software.

Who should attend...
This training course is a must for those involved in the transportation engineering and design industry including civil engineers, architects, CAD managers, and government authorities.

Why register now...
Sign up before August 15, 2011 and receive 10% off the course cost! Seating for this session is limited and available only on a 'first-to-register; first-to-fill' basis. Select your choice of date and location before space runs out!

AUTOTURN 8.0 TRAINING INCLUDES:

AutoTURN Overview and Benefits
Highlights of Features in AutoTURN
Hands-on AutoTURN Training:
- Lesson 1: Steps to using AutoTURN
  * Program settings / Vehicle Simulations / Libraries
  SmartPath Tools / Reporting Functions
- Lesson 2: Project Uses and Examples
  * Intersections / Roundabouts / Loading Docks
- Lesson 3: Advanced Usability
  * Vehicle Customization / Sight Lines / Vehicle Loads
Candidates who successfully complete this course receive a certificate of achievement.

TO REGISTER FOR THIS TRAINING SESSION

Please call directly or email to make arrangements for training registration and payment.

Contact: Margaret Gochngbok
Phone: 1.604.244.8387 ext. 2736
Email: mg@transoftsolutions.com

Please do not hesitate to contact us at 1.604.244.8387 or email info@transoftsolutions.com if you have have any questions.

Sincerely,

Your Friends at Transoft Solutions

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COME VISIT US AT THE ITE 2011 Annual Meeting and Exhibit - Booth #232

Transoft Solutions — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:55:23 -0700

Stop by our booth and discover AutoTURN Pro 3D - Plus enter to win a Nintendo 3DS!

ITE 2011 Annual Meeting and Exhibit
St. Louis, MO, United States
America's Center

Transoft Solutions Booth #232
Date: August 13 - 16, 2011

We are attending the ITE 2011 Annual Meeting and Exhibit in St. Louis. Come visit us at the event and learn how our technology will change the way transportation engineers and planners work.

SEE AUTOTURN PRO 3D IN ACTION

We'll be demonstrating AutoTURN Pro 3D, our latest CAD software that goes beyond simple vehicle swept path checking capabilities in a two-dimensional plane, and enters the realm of true 3D design and analysis.

WIN A NINTENDO 3DS!

Here's another reason to see us: We're celebrating the launch of our first 3D software! Drop by our booth and get our Product Demo CD which contains an entry into a drawing for a Nintendo 3DS!

PREVIEW OF THE UPCOMING RELEASE OF TORUS ROUNDABOUTS 3.0

The new version release of our state-of-the-art roundabout design software is scheduled to launch this Fall! Come by our booth to get a sneak peek at a few new enhancements, including an inter-linking feature between SIDRA INTERSECTION and TORUS which will create workflow efficiencies to enhance the roundabout analysis and design process.

OUR ENTIRE SUITE OF PRODUCTS

Visit Booth #232 for live demonstrations of our latest software versions. See how our user-friendly software solutions will assist you in getting your engineering designs completed on time and on budget.

No more park 'n fly...just switch gears!

Transoft Solutions — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:03:08 -0700

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has cleared the Transition, a flying car developed by Terrafugia, for being driven on roads. The Transition passed US Federal Aviation Administration rules last year so it is certified to fly as light sports aircraft. This makes the Transition the first fully certified flying car on the market.

Instead of glass for the windshield, the Transition has used polycarbonate materials in order to make it lighter in weight and so it can't shatter. It also required heavier tires than regular cars so that they could withstand the impact of landing. The Transition can cruise at speeds of 200km/hr and has a range of 700km before needing to land and refuel. The average fuel consumption is 7.8L/100km on the road.

You can expect to see this flying car hit the market in late 2012. There are already 100 orders taken so far and the price should be around $250 000.

Transoft Solutions — Wed, 04 May 2011 12:11:13 -0700

We told you something big was coming…

Introducing...

The world’s most advanced 3D vehicle swept path software for modeling, analyzing, and visualizing vehicle movements.

A few weeks ago we announced that we’d be revealing a major new technology for AE design professionals and now… the cat’s out of the bag. We’re excited and can’t wait to show you what AutoTURN Pro 3D can do but you’ll need to register for the live webinar presentations coming up next week.

Watch the short video below to get an inkling of what you’ll see in the live demonstration.

Be sure to sign up for the live webcast today! Registration is FREE.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011
10am PDT | 12pm CDT | 1pm EDT

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Thursday, May 12, 2011
8am PDT | 10am CDT | 11am EDT

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Transoft Solutions Join Forces with SIDRA SOLUTIONS

Transoft Solutions — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:26:02 -0700

We have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SIDRA SOLUTIONS, developers of SIDRA INTERSECTION software which is used worldwide by traffic design, operations and planning professionals for intersection capacity, service levels, and performance analysis. In establishing the cooperation, both companies will now provide current and potential users of SIDRA INTERSECTION and Transoft Solutions’ TORUS roundabout design software, access to industry leading traffic analysis and geometric design tools for roundabouts and intersections. This cooperation coincides with the new version release of TORUS, which directly integrates with the SIDRA INTERSECTION software. This integration will be showcased during the upcoming TRB (Transportation Research Board) Roundabout Conference in Carmel, Indiana, May 18 to 20, 2011.

Dr Rahmi Akcelik, Director of SIDRA SOLUTIONS commented, “with new versions of SIDRA INTERSECTION and TORUS software being launched soon, designers who have been requesting the integration of the two products now have their wish granted. Today, we are better equipped to offer superior performance solutions to our governmental and consulting-engineering clients who play an active role in the transportation sector”.

“We are extremely excited and optimistic about our new relationship with SIDRA SOLUTIONS given that their large global user base within the traffic engineering community. This collaboration will result in increased synergies between two giants in the roundabout and intersection software world and we believe this can only lead to improved value to practicing professionals,” said Daniel Shihundu P.Eng, Transoft Solutions' Vice President of Product Management. “Our partnership with SIDRA SOLUTIONS is very strategic as our products can now be linked internally to take advantage of the traffic analysis capabilities available in SIDRA INTERSECTION software. The result is a much more refined workflow for users of both software and it is great to see the two products work seamlessly.”

About SIDRA SOLUTIONS:

Akcelik and Associates Pty Ltd (trading as SIDRA SOLUTIONS) is a multi-award winning research and development company established in 1999 and has been dedicated to the transport profession worldwide for the benefit of the community through contributing to safe, environment-friendly and efficient traffic operations. This has been achieved through the development of new and existing software, and provision of professional training and technical support. SIDRA SOLUTIONS software products are in use in 95 countries in all continents with extensive use in USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Malaysia and Singapore, Arabian Peninsula and Europe.

About Transoft Solutions

Established in 1991, Transoft Solutions Inc. develops the most thoroughly researched and innovative CAD software for the engineering community. Transoft Solutions suite of productivity enhancing software have become the trusted de-facto standard for over 90% of the Top 100 ENR AEC firms, 85% of North American departments of transportation, and regulatory agencies.