PTV Mobility News – May 2023

PTV Lines: Digitizing public transport: from design to service planning

We proudly present the brand new cloud application PTV Lines - an easy-to-use web-based platform for public transport planning.

What is its superpower?

PTV Lines provides public transport planners and service designers with all functionalities needed for a rapid design and modification of new and existing public transport services. It does not, however, require expert knowledge in public transport planning software.

We designed PTV Lines with those in mind, who

• use pen, Excel, and google maps for network and timetable planning,
• want to test out an idea quickly to understand immediately the effects of changes to the infrastructure,
• are looking for an easy to use tool that delivers reliable results.

Basically, it provides planners with all functionalities needed for a rapid design and modification of new and existing public transport supplies. It does not, however, require expert knowledge in public transport planning software (??). As a result, PTV Lines facilitates sharing, reduces copy errors and accelerates creativity and productivity during the planning process. How cool is that?

Check it out on myptv.com/en/mobility-software/ptv-lines

Transforming urban city centers

Is there a danger that our city centers will become deserted? Large store chains are shutting down locations or even worse go bankrupt. Large commercial spaces become empty and increase the already high vacancy rates. At the same time, trucks and large private vehicles are clogging city streets and bicycle paths are blocked by parked electric scooters. While retail is losing its dominant role as the center of attraction, culture and recreation, work, and housing, not to mention climate change, are becoming more important. It's an undeniable fact that we need attractive spaces that cover a variety of uses – and mobility needs. In short, against the backdrop of modern mobility urban city centers urgently need to change.

Article in full: The Mobility Challenge: Transforming Urban Centers

R&D Goals in Pedestrian Modeling and Simulation

In an interview with Transform Transport our colleague Tobias Kretz explains how R&D activities can occur when methodological challenges are solved during the product development of mobility software solutions, and how health emergencies impact the simulation of “what-if scenarios” related to crowds ??. If you want to flex your brain muscle, search no more: Enjoy the interview in full: transform transport

PTV Vissim and Viswalk Tips & Tricks: Manage both input data (“the model”) and output data (results)

Did you know that Vissim and Viswalk include a scenario manager which allows to manage both input data (“the model”) as well as output data (results) and that for both comparisons can be displayed easily? Tobias Kretz came up with an example and shared a video about it (Thanks, Tobias??).

The results show the average Required Safe Egress Time (RSET) of 1,000 simulation runs.

What on earth is “RSET”?

In fire safety engineering, RSET is the time for which a building, room or spot must be kept free of smoke so everyone can evacuate safely. In effect it is the simulation time when for the last time a pedestrian has occupied a spot.

Check out his linkedin post about it for details on the example: Linkedin Post Tobias

We want to close this issue with a message that is dear to our hearts: May the force be with you and guide you no matter if its rough seas or fields of dandelions (we hope for the latter ??)

Happy May the 4th to all of you!

If you want to stay up to speed on the latest insights and news around modeling and simulation, make sure to sign up to our PTV Newsletter as well ??????