TEAPAC Suite, PREPASSR details

PREPASSR
Pre- and Post-processor for PASSER-II Arterial Optimization

PREPASSR is the pre- and post-processor function in TEAPAC Complete to be used in conjunction with the PASSER-II program. PASSER requires that phasing, minimums, volumes and saturation flow input are carefully coded and coordinated in order to generate valid results, sometimes in a confusing and error-prone manner. On the other hand, PREPASSR uses the standard TEAPAC data directed by traffic engineering terms which are easy to understand, and builds the PASSER input coding, thus eliminating user error in preparing its input.

This interactive analysis tool will automatically generate the network structure for the signalized arterial being analyzed through the use of the standard TEAPAC network description. Further, the phasing and timings for each signal is specified in straightforward traffic engineering terms, and can be changed easily when testing alternatives. After an analysis by PASSER is completed, PREPASSR has the capability to import the results and interactively plot a time-space diagram for any portion of the system. The optimum timings which have been generated can also be displayed for each intersection, including a phasing diagram which makes understanding the results quite easy. These diagrams also include each clearance interval of each phase. Because of the speed of the computer and the ease of input, an entire day's variation in traffic conditions can be analyzed quickly and accurately. This, in combination with the capacity analysis output TEAPAC, provides all the information needed to implement the optimum timings in an arterial network.

Furthermore, PREPASSR uses the estimated saturation flows and allowed signal phasings and timings for each signal which were generated by TEAPAC. Since these are required inputs of PASSER, the use of PREPASSR in conjunction with TEAPAC makes a smooth, error-free system for complete signal timing optimization. TEAPAC can also export directly to TRANSYT-7F and NETSIM/CORSIM, making the joint use of TEAPAC, PASSER-II, TRANSYT-7F and NETSIM/CORSIM a simple process, all running off the powerful database created and managed by TEAPAC. TEAPAC also exports to TS/PP-DRAFT and SYNCHRO/SIMTRAFFIC for additional analysis and display.

PASSER performs a two-way bandwidth optimization for a linear arterial signal system. The program can be also used to simulate existing signal system operations to a limited degree. Inputs to PASSER depend on a sometimes confusing application of the NEMA phasing definitions, but PREPASSR allows inputs in the standard TEAPAC scheme, thus eliminating these problems and allowing quick and effective use of PASSER.

this page last updated February 04, 2019