Vistro for Signal Coordination

Description This 16-hour online course \(4 hours per session\) provides beginning-to-intermediate training in developing and/or reviewing signal coordination projects completed using the VISTRO software developed by PTV / Umovity. Using a combination of interactive lecture, question and answer, and hands-on computer lab VISTRO model development, you will become proficient in the application of VISTRO Signal Optimization and Coordination. Working on a real-world signal coordination project, students will use VISTRO \(with integrated Google aerials / street view\), to add / modify roadways, input intersection geometrics, enter traffic volumes \(cars, trucks, pedestrians, and bicycles\), and signal timings \(including Leading Pedestrian Intervals\) to replicate/validate existing operations for signalized intersections. Students will learn how to use VISTRO to conduct signal coordination projects and evaluate intersection level of service improvements consistent with the industry standard Highway Capacity Manual 7th Edition: A Guide for Multimodal Mobility Analysis \(TRB 2022 and HCS7\) analysis for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Students will use VISTRO to fully evaluate and develop optimized and improved signal timing plans that reduce delays, minimize stops, relieve congestion, and reduce fuel consumption / greenhouse gas emissions. Lastly, students will be introduced to VISSIM, the microsimulation software that is a separate and integrated microsimulation software also developed by PTV / Umovity. VISSIM is used to fully analyze corridor intersection microsimulation operations, and we will compare the primary differences between "isolated - macro-level" VISTRO and "network-wide - micro-level" VISSIM analysis. Topics IncludeDetailed review of VISTO Signal Optimization and Coordination input requirements Development of VISTRO network using a hands-on real-world signal coordination project Optimizing cycle length and signal timings for a single intersection that is added to an existing corridor Optimizing cycle length and coordinated signal timings \(splits and offsets\) for a group of intersections in a corridor Multi-modal vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle LOS using the HCM 7th Edition Quality Assurance / Quality Control \(QA/QC\) of VISTRO Results Optimizing signal timings for a group of intersections Introduction to VISSIM, an integrated microsimulation software What You Will Learn Using a hands-on real-world project in a virtual computer lab class setting, students will be able to interact with the instructor as they become proficient in the VISTRO Signal Coordination software. This includes using the integrated Google aerial background and street-view, add/modify roadways, inputting intersection geometrics and pocket lengths, entering multi-modal volumes \(cars, trucks, peds, bicyclists\), and signal timings t timings \(including Leading Pedestrian Intervals\) to replicate / validate existing operations analysis for signalized intersections. Students will also learn how to review VISTRO completed signal coordination study parameters, including geometrics, multi-modal volumes, and signal timing inputs. You will learn the steps to effectively Quality Assurance / Quality Control \(QA/QC\) review VISTRO Signal Coordination Project Reports, including intersection level of service by movement and approach, vehicle queuing analysis, and the benefits of signal coordination projects in reducing delays, minimizing stops, relieving congestion, and reducing fuel consum ption / greenhouse gas emissions. Lastly, you will learn how to review and understand the analysis results and the potential differences when using the isolated formula based / empirical \(VISTRO\) analysis or the network-wide micro-simulation \(VISSIM\) analysis for signal coordination projects. Who Should Attend No prior experience using VISTRO or VISSIM is necessary. This course is designed for traffic engineers and signal controller technicians in both public agencies and private firms who engage in either developing or reviewing Signal Coordination Projects completed using the VISTRO Traffic Impact Study \(TIS\) software. The materials in this course are based on the following references:PTV Group - VISTRO software \(2025\), PTV Group - Modeling and Planning Manual Transportation Research Board. Highway Capacity Manual,7th Edition, 2022tent with the industry standard Highway Capacity Manual 7th Edition: A Guide for Multimodal Mobility Analysis \(TRB 2022 and HCS7\) analysis for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Students will use VISTRO to fully evaluate and develop optimized and improved signal timing plans that reduce delays, minimize stops, relieve congestion, and reduce fuel consumpt ion / greenhouse gas emissions.

Lastly, students will be introduced to VISSIM, the microsimulation software that is a separate and integrated microsimulation software also developed by PTV / Umovity. VISSIM is used to fully analyze corridor intersection microsimulation operations, and we will compare the primary differences between "isolated - macro-level" VISTRO and "network-wide - micro-level" VISSIM analysis.

Topics Include

Detailed review of VISTO Signal Optimization and Coordination input requirements

Development of VISTRO network using a hands-on real-world signal coordination project

Optimizing cycle length and signal timings for a single intersection that is added to an existing corridor

Optimizing cycle length and coordinated signal timings \(splits and offsets\) for a group of intersections in a corridor

Multi-modal vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle LOS using the HCM 7th Edition

Quality Assurance / Quality Control \(QA/QC\) of VISTRO Results

Optimizing signal timings for a group of intersections

Introduction to VISSIM, an integrated microsimulation software

What You Will Learn

Using a hands-on real-world project in a virtual computer lab class setting, students will be able to interact with the instructor as they become proficient in the VISTRO Signal Coordination software. This includes using the integrated Google aerial background and street-view, add/modify roadways, inputting intersection geometrics and pocket lengths, entering multi-modal volumes \(cars, trucks, peds, bicyclists\), and signal timings t timin gs \(including Leading Pedestrian Intervals\) to replicate / validate existing operations analysis for signalized intersections.

Students will also learn how to review VISTRO completed signal coordination study parameters, including geometrics, multi-modal volumes, and signal timing inputs. You will learn the steps to effectively Quality Assurance / Quality Control \(QA/QC\) review VISTRO Signal Coordination Project Reports, including intersection level of service by movement and approach, vehicle queuing analysis, and the benefits of signal coordination projects in reducing delays, minimizing stops, relieving congestion, and reducing fu el consumption / greenhouse gas emissions.

Lastly, you will learn how to review and understand the analysis results and the potential differences when using the isolated formula based / empirical \(VISTRO\) analysis or the network-wide micro-simulation \(VISSIM\) analysis for signal coordination projects.

Who Should Attend

No prior experience using VISTRO or VISSIM is necessary. This course is designed for traffic engineers and signal controller technicians in both public agencies and private firms who engage in either developing or reviewing Signal Coordination Projects completed using the VISTRO Traffic Impact Study \(TIS\) software.

The materials in this course are based on the following references:

PTV Group - VISTRO software \(2025\), PTV Group - Modeling and Planning Manual

Transportation Research Board. Highway Capacity Manual,7th Edition, 2022