Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are a sign of how far we have come technologically. However, as any GPS user knows, they are useful but will never replace traffic signs. Like navigation, development of traffic sign plans has also come a long way. However, with all of the technological advances in hardware and design software, the process for developing and designing traffic sign plans has been largely a time consuming manual process.
With its design features, placement
functions, and libraries, SIGMA from Transoft Solutions is a unique software
product that streamlines the process of traffic sign planning. Newly designed
sign assemblies can be precisely placed in a roadway corridor drawing in
relation to other geometric elements while maintaining preset distances from critical
geometric elements, such as the edge of pavement. With SIGMA users can create
sign assemblies using high quality CAD content from complete libraries of
federal and regional standard signs, as well as user generated content –
including GuidSIGN signs or user drafted signs.
“I think that the SIGMA software is going
in the right direction,” said New York State DOT’s Region 2 Sign Engineer, Mark
Bickelhaupt after participating in a SIGMA presentation webcast. “Sign design
is very repetitive, so creating a program that knows most of the standard
spacings and offsets is a plus.”
The software handles the repetitive design
process with a structured wizard, complete libraries of signs (and sizing), as
well as powerful copying and editing abilities to further increase design
productivity without skipping critical workflow elements. The placement process
allows the user to drag the assembly parallel to either a reference line /
stationing alignment, or offset reference geometry (edge of pavement), or enter
a specific distance / station. Previously placed sign assemblies can be copied
to a new location along the roadway. Copied assemblies are automatically
assigned a new unique ID number and can be edited to change status, mounting,
sign facings, and rotation.
Once the sign assemblies have been placed,
SIGMA’s visualization of signs means that there is no need to decipher cryptic
notations. Users can see what the signs and the sign assemblies are. Moreover,
data relative to the sign and assembly is displayed in the drawing for instant
visual reference. When SIGMA is combined with GuidSIGN the ability to show all
types of signing including guide signs and street name signs can be handled with
ease.
Michael Frost, Transoft Solutions Product manager calls SIGMA a workhorse software. “In addition to automating a repetitive manual process, it’s very easy to search signs and expand usable libraries,” said Frost. The end product is a traffic sign plan application that genuinely boosts productivity.”
In addition to its design capabilities, SIGMA’s reporting is one of its strongest features. Reports can be created and filtered based on different parameters such as sign assembly status and mounting type no matter how long the design corridor is. Distance/station range on one or both sides of the roadway can also be reported on and then saved in a CSV format and used with popular spreadsheet applications. Sample reports can be previewed in a dialog data grid for getting information on the fly or to determine reporting parameters. Data is important in sign plans and SIGMA users can get the data they need quickly and easily.
Streamlining processes, providing data easily and quickly, it's a sign of the times.
