Travel time segments represent travel time runs, where the travel time between two points is measured. They are also used to capture probe vehicle data or average SMS and travel time. These segments capture all lanes of traffic on the link or connector on which they are coded. Travel times are measured between the start and end locations. To capture travel time throughout an entire network, travel time segments are coded similarly to relay routing that obtains travel time data for each segment. Segmental travel times are added to determine an overall travel time for the entire network. Travel time segments are appropriate to use when SMS data has been collected.

Nodes capture intersection throughput, queuing, and delay. Nodes can be drawn around an intersection that encloses all movements such that all approaches are bisected by one side of the polygon. Additionally, when creating nodes, the start of delay segment encompasses the entirety of the expected queue. It is important to note that to use node evaluation results, the “use for evaluation” attribute is selected in the Node Object Table.

Please note this is true for a link-based software like Vissim but does not apply to a node-based software.

Queue counters are typically used to measure queue counts at freeway ramps and other movements of interest like intersections or along roadway segments. Various types of detectors or field observations are used to capture queue lengths in the field. Queue counters can be placed on any link or connector in the model. The coded marker represents the furthest downstream position for which the queue can be measured. As with DCP, it is recommended that queue counters be placed in the same location that field data was collected.