Apart from its staff and sophisticated IT hardware, AVARIS possesses the experience, the resources and capacity to perform studies and provide consulting in the transportation field.
Apart from general use software, AVARIS is a registered user of:
ODOS is a stand-alone software product to perform road, rail or corridor and intersection design from initial conceptual design to final construction drawings. Terrain models are built using any three-dimensional data provided in any DWG file. ODOS provides expert design tools to both handle road or rail design objects and check geometric design consistency according to standards. Typical cross-section features are customized to match in detail any specific project component. Both template and string - based design can be used simultaneously. Cross-section design is automated through intelligent artificial decision-making matching appropriate design components with conditions on the ground. ODOS sets intelligent interrelationship links between road design objects. When design elements are modified the entire 3d project model updates in real time. Realistic visualization and driving simulation allow for real-time, real-life view and visibility checking. Drawings are generated by ODOS in DWG format, ready to plot.
QRS II (Quick Response System II) is a software product that runs the four- step transportation planning process – trip generation, trip distribution, mode split, traffic/transit assignment – for highway and transit forecasting. It can provide traditional region-wide forecasting, as well as site impact analysis and corridor analysis. Networks and data are entered and edited graphically using the powerful General Network Editor (GNE). The Windows environment, with its buttons, menus and dialog boxes, permits fast setup of simulations, retrieval of results and data transfer to many other Windows applications, such as spreadsheets, word processors and graphic packages. An advanced version of GNE also is available. Among its advanced capabilities, QRS II performs equilibrium traffic assignment and stochastic multipath transit trip assignment. Dynamic and/ or multiclass equilibrium traffic assignment is also available for highway networks. It explicitly considers the effects of traffic-controlled intersections – signals and signs – following the Highway Capacity Manual. Traffic congestion is fully reflected in forecasts of patterns of travel, as well as the presence of conflicting and opposing traffic. QRS II provides an extensive range of methods for refining forecasts from traffic counts. The software handles up to 6000 zones with 4 gravity-model trip purposes plus. Networks can have up to 100,000 highway links and 216,000 transit links. Utility software is provided to assist conversion to QRS II from other travel forecasting packages and GISs.
SATURN is a suite of flexible network analysis programs originally developed at the Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds. It has 6 basic functions:
- As a combined traffic simulation and assignment model for the analysis of road-investment schemes ranging from traffic management schemes over relatively localized networks (typically of the order of 100 to 200 nodes) through to major infrastructure improvements where models with over 1000 junctions are not infrequent;
- As a “conventional” traffic assignment model for the analysis of much larger networks (e.g., up to 6000 links);
- As a simulation model of individual junctions;
- As a network editor, data base and analysis system;
- As a matrix manipulation package for the production of, e.g., trip matrices.
- As a trip matrix demand model covering the basic elements of trip distribution, modal split etc.
As a combined simulation and assignment model - its original function - SATURN is most suitable for the analysis of relatively minor network changes such as the introduction of one-way streets, changes to junction controls, bus- only streets, etc. (which can be loosely categorized as “traffic management measures”) and whose evaluation requires a detailed analysis of traffic behavior at junctions.
HCS (Highway Capacity Software) is a software product used to implement the procedures defined in the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM), published by the Transportation Research Board (TRB). It includes modules to implement design procedures for Signalized Intersections, Roundabouts, Basic Freeway Segments, Freeway Weaving Segments, Freeway Merge & Diverge Segments, Two-Lane Highways, Multilane Highways and Freeway Facilities. Its Streets program combines the Signalized Intersections, Urban Streets Segments and Urban Streets Facilities. It is a powerful tool with analysis, design and operation optimization of urban traffic signal systems
AVARIS staff is also experienced with the use of other transportation software such as VISUM, EMME/3, CUBE, CONTRAM, MOTORS, NETSIM, PASSER, HDM and TRANSYT. Also, with the use of Statistical and Project Control Software such as PRIMAVERA, MS PROJECT, SAS, and SPSS. Its staff is experienced in performing all transport and traffic related surveys and analyses such as O-D roadside or license plate surveys, stated preference (Value of Time) surveys and analyses (using BIOGEME), parking turnover surveys etc.
On the hardware side, AVARIS is the owner and experienced user of sophisticated traffic counting equipment which consists of a set of ADR 1000 traffic counters, that are regularly used to perform counts of traffic volume, traffic classification and speed using both pneumatic tubes and loops installed in asphalt pavement. They have been used in numerous traffic surveys in urban road and motorways in order to record the necessary data for traffic analysis.
AVARIS owns GPS equipment suitable for recording road geometry data, and camera equipment to record roadside elements, usually used in combination in safety audits and Road Asset Management systems:
- SPAN – CPT GPS System. Is a dual frequency inertia GPS system with capability of real – time data transmission through a GSM modem. SPAN-CPT (Synchronized Position Attitude Navigation) system allows close interaction between a GPS OEMV-3 receiver of NovAtel and a Fiber Optics Gyro with MEMS inertial unit. The system is designed for continuous operation, even after GPS signal loss, providing accurate information for the position and movement characteristics. Combining GPS and inertial system data, SPAN technology allows for reliable positioning, even under difficult situations.
- HD Cameras AVARIS owns two HD (2048x1536) Arecont Vision cameras (30fps), a Stereoscopic (3D) HD Sony camera (30fps) and a GoPro Hero 5 action camera (3840x2160, 30fps), used for recording roadside or pavement condition elements.
The aforementioned systems (GPS and Cameras) are often used in combination in order to obtain photographs and videos with geospatial information. The data is analyzed using Apotiposis software that is used to record the road elements and produce useful databases for Road Asset Management systems.
AVARIS is currently using TRIBLE MX9 for recording TAM data assisted by ORBIT software, LCMS, Grip Tester and Guard Rail Push Test equipment.
