CTDOT CONNECT DDE GUIDE VOLUME 6 - TRAFFIC ENGINEERING BASE MODELING


Module 2 - Signal Base Modeling


Description

In this module you will learn how to place signal features in a base model dgn file.

Objectives
  • Place Lines, Shapes and Cells
  • Attach Item Types
  • Edit Item Type Information
Sections
Traffic Signal Ribbon Tools
Basic Workflow 
Item Type Property Definitions 

 

Traffic Signal Ribbon Tools

1. Before getting started you will need to complete Module 1 - Base Model Creation which will direct the user on how to properly create a geospatial base model.

2. In the TR_CB_1234_1234_TCS.dgn select the CTDOT workflow and click on the Traffic tab to access the integrated CTDOT standard tools on the Ribbon. Below will highlight all the options in the Signal Area. Note: To place pavement markings and signs associated with a signal please follow the steps in Module 3 - Pavement Marking Base Modeling and Module 4 - Sign Base Modeling using those corresponding sections.

 Traffic Menu Tab

3. Select each Pull Down menu in the Signals section and get familiar with the choices under each.

Note: After placement Cells should not be broken. If the Drop Element tool is used on cells, they lose any pre-assigned Item Type Information. This will make the element unsuitable for quantity and asset management. Lines and Shapes shall be continuous (not broken or in pieces) to ensure pay items get calculated and assigned properly.

Control Boxes:

Controllers - New Controller cells get placed with two Item Types attached (asset and pay item), while existing Controller cells do not include pay items. The asset information fields should be completely filled out and the pay item information should be modified as needed.

Auxiliary Cabinets - These cells will need to be placed adjacent to a Controller Cell. The pay item information should be modified as needed. Note: The AUXILIARY TERMINATION CABINET cell will come with an additional pay item to account for 5 feet of Conduit needed for the install.

Misc Equipment: The pay item information should be modified as needed. 

Ped Pushbutton: The asset information should be modified as needed. 

Pre-Emption: The pay item information should be modified as needed. Each item will pick up a quantity of 1, unless additional quantities are added to the Manually_Added_Quantity field. 

Signal Heads:

Signal Head Attachment - These Cells should be added along a Span Wire or Mast Arm. The pay item and asset information should be modified as needed. 

Signal Face - Faces will be attached to a Signal Head or a Support Structure such as a Pedestal and the asset information should be modified as needed.

Structures: New Cells get placed with two Item Types attached, while existing Cells do not include pay items. The asset information fields should be completely filled out and the pay item information should be modified as needed. Additional Pay Items can be assigned to the array if required.

Vehicle Detection: New cells get placed with two Item Types attached, while existing Cells do not include pay items.  The asset information fields should be completely filled out and the pay item information should be modified as needed. Note: For LOOP DETECTOR please refer to the line work section below.

Line Work: Line work is placed using the ribbon tools, then when pay items are ready to be assigned the user will select the Attach Item tool and assign the proper Item Types.   The pay item descriptions will need to be selected and the quantity will pick up the length of the line or area and any added user defined quantity added to the Manually_Added_Quantity field.

Item Type Assignments:

Conduit - Traffic Signal Equipment / PAY ITEM - Traffic Signal Conduit

CABLE - Traffic Signal Equipment / PAY ITEM - Traffic Signal

SAWCUT - Traffic Signal Equipment / PAY ITEM - Traffic Signal

SPAN WIRE - Traffic Signal Equipment / PAY ITEM - Traffic Signal

SIDEWALK - Sidewalk / PAY ITEM -Sidewalk

SIDEWALK RAMP - Sidewalk / PAY ITEM -Sidewalk

DETECTABLE WARNING SURFACE

  • Sidewalk / DETECTABLE WARNING SURFACE
  • Sidewalk / PAY ITEM -Sidewalk 

LOOP DETECTORS - 

  • Traffic Signal Equipment / PAY ITEM - Traffic Signal
  • Traffic Signal Equipment / VEHICLE DETECTION

CONTROL AREA - This shape shall be placed as a closed shape around the entire signal area. The Item Types attach to this shape pertain to asset information only.  Line work is placed using the ribbon tools, then when asset information is ready to be assigned the user will select the shape and then the proper Template in the General section of the Properties dialog box. These can be found under Traffic Signals\Control Area\CONTROL AREA ASSET.  The asset information should be modified as needed. 

 

Basic Workflow

Note: After placement Cells should not be broken. If the Drop Element tool is used on cells, they lose any pre-assigned Item Type Information. This will make the element unsuitable for quantity and asset management. Lines and Shapes shall be continuous (not broken or placed in pieces) to ensure they get calculated and assigned properly.

1. In the Models dialog box click in the Description column and add the Signal Intersection ID numberNote: Every signal on the State system has an Intersection ID associated to it, if you are unsure of the number, please reach out to the Project Manager.

2. In the Signals section use the Cell pull down menus and select the desired equipment. Follow the prompts to place. After placement select the cell, then select the required information in the Properties dialog box. The Item Description uses a pull-down menu, select the down arrow, start entering the Item Description and select as needed. Note: you can enter any word in the description, and it will filter regardless of the order.

 2 -Item Type Item Description Pull Down and Search Menu

 

3. The Structures and Vehicle Detection pull down will place Parametric Cells. In the Place Parametric Cell Dialog Box select Interactive and follow the prompts to place the cell. After placement select the cell and in the Properties dialog box select the required information.

Note: There are also special inputs required for various Cells. Black text is fillable and gray text is not. Gray text gets populated from look up tables that are preconfigured. Some fields will also alter the size of the cells.

Combination Mast Arm Example:

Adjust the Arm Length(s) and Angles as needs, fill out all the Asset information and adjust the pay Item as need to correspond to the asset properties.

3 -Parametric Cell ItemTypes and Variables on a Mast-Arm 

      

4. In the Signals section click on the Line Work pull down menu and select the Conduit tool. Place a line to represent the conduit. 

5. Select the Attach tab and in the Item Types section select Attach Item. Toggle Traffic Signal Equipment and select PAY item - Traffic Signal Conduit.  Select the newly placed line and follow the prompts to attach the Item Type. 

6. Scroll down to the bottom of the Properties dialog box and update the pay item as needed. Right click on PAY ITEM and select Add Entry.

Proposed Conduits will need the following Pay Items:

  • CONDUIT (Size & Type)
  • TRENCHING AND BACKFILLING
  • ROCK IN TRENCH EXCAVATION 0'-4' DEEP

Existing Items will need the following Pay Item:

  • CLEAN EXISTING CONDUIT 

Users can filter by entering either the Pay Item Description or Pay Item Number in the SEACH field.

8. To place pavement markings and signs associated with a signal please follow the steps in Module 3 - Pavement Marking Base Modeling and Module 4 - Sign Base Modeling.

 

Item Type Property Definitions

All bold Property Definition fields can be edited after placement in the Properties dialog box. Gray Property Definition fields are auto populated and cannot be adjusted in the Properties dialog box.

Intersection_ID - The signal intersection ID is added to the Model Description which populates the Intersection_ID Property Definition. Notice it is grey in the Properties dialog box as it can only be edited in the Models dialog box.

Project_Number - The Project Number comes from the WorkSet that was selected when opening the CAD Program.

Bid Item Descriptions The Item Description uses a pull-down menu, by selecting the down arrow in the Property Definition, and entering part of an Item Description a selection pick list will appear. Note: you can enter any word in the description, and it will filter regardless of the order. All the Traffic Signal Equipment Item Types with an Item_Description field uses this method except for the “SUPPORT STRUCTURES”.  When editing a support structure, the Item_Description field is auto picked from the Size_Description pick list.

Quantity OverridesThe Quantity Property Definition picks up the attribute of the graphic it is placed on, and the Unit Property Definition depicts how it acts.

  • l.f. – Length
  • s.f – Area
  • each – Count

There are three options for populating the Quantity field:

1. Totally override the graphic quantity and manually add a user defined quantity.

To do this set the Complete_Quantity_Override to Yes and add the desired quantity to the Manually_Added_Quantity field.

The image below shows the Quantity that gets added to a Traffic Controller’s Cell for the Pad’s item CONCRETE SIDEWALK.12 s.f. of Sidewalk gets manually added to each Controller that has a pad.

Manually added Quantity 

2. Use the graphic assigned quantity and add an additional amount.

To do this set the Complete_Quantity_Override to No and add the desired additional quantity in to the Manually_Added_Quantity field.

In the example below notice the Quantity field, it will be the Length under the Geometry section and with the Manually_Added_Quantity field added to it.

3. Use the graphic assigned Quantity as is.

To do this set the Complete_Quantity_Override to No and input 0 in the Manually_Added_Quantity field.

Item Type Arrays - The "pay item" Item Types come in as an Arrays, meaning you can add instances to the Item Type. 

After attachment or placement select the Properties dialog box and right click over the Array field and select Add entryAdd the desired number of entries, entries can also be deleted and hidden.

Status - Each Asset Item Type comes with a status pick list:

  • REMOVE
  • NEW
  • TO REMAIN
  • RESET
  • RELOCATE

Most items will be set to new, and a bid item should be selected. On the occasion one of the other selections are needed make sure the bid item matches. There are bid items for removals, resets, and relocations. There is a bid item N/A which will be used for most "To Remain items".