Frequently Asked Questions
From IHSDMDownload
This document is a list of frequently asked questions related to the IHSDM software. The document is applicable to the IHSDM 2008 Public Release software.
General
I'm new to IHSDM. How do I get started?
IHSDM is a suite of software analysis tools for evaluating safety and operational effects of geometric design on highways. The IHSDM - HSM Predictive Method 2010 Release includes six evaluation modules: Crash Prediction, Policy Review, Design Consistency, Intersection Review, Traffic Analysis and Driver/Vehicle Modules. The updated Crash Prediction Module (CPM) serves as a faithful implementation of Part C (Predictive Method) of the 1st Edition Highway Safety Manual (HSM) for rural two-lane highways (HSM - Chapter 10), multilane rural highways (HSM - Chapter 11) and urban and suburban arterials (HSM - Chapter 12). The other IHSDM evaluation modules are applicable to rural two-lane highways.
For a general overview of IHSDM, the best starting point is the main IHSDM web site, http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/ihsdm/ihsdm.htm.
What is the relationship between the IHSDM - HSM Predictive Method 2010 Release and AASHTO's 1st Edition Highway Safety Manual?
The Highway Safety Manual (HSM) was developed by the Transportation Research Board and AASHTO, with AASHTO publishing the 1st Edition HSM in June 2010. The HSM contains four parts (A, B, C and D). Part C (Predictive Method) documents Crash Prediction Methodologies for three types of highways: rural two-lane highways, multilane rural highways and urban/suburban arterials. The IHSDM Crash Prediction Module (CPM) is intended to be - to the extent possible - a faithful software implementation of the crash prediction methods documented in Part C of the HSM. For more information on the Highway Safety Manual, visit the HSM public website at www.highwaysafetymanual.org.
I have the IHSDM 2008 Public Release and/or the IHSDM 2009 CPM Beta Release. Can I install the IHSDM-HSM Predictive Method 2010 Release over my old installation?
Yes. In that case, your 2008/2009 Release Projects should then be available when you run the 2010 software.
I've downloaded IHSDM, now what?
IHSDM is packaged as a Windows installer archive. Start the installation process by launching the distribution package application, e.g., the downloaded file named ihsdm_6_0_0_full.exe. After the installation process is completed, a series of dialogs will ask a series of questions related to the installation.
I've installed the IHSDM-HSM Predictive Method 2010 Release. As a new user how should I start?
After successfully installing the IHSDM we suggest that you start by reviewing the IHSDM Tutorial (under "Help" in the main menu).
I've installed the IHSDM-HSM Predictive Method 2010 Release. As a previous user of the IHSDM how should I start?
Start IHSDM, open the Help Browser (from the main menu "Help/ Help Browser") and read through the "Release Notes for 2010 Public Release."
If you installed the 2010 Release over the 2008 Release or the 2009 CPM Beta Release, then your Projects should still be available. If you did not install over a previous Release, you can archive your 2008/2009 Release projects individually (via Project Operations > Archive Project), then un-archive them in the 2010 Release (via User Operations > Un-archive Project).
I have the IHSDM 2006 or 2004 Release. Can I install the 2010 Release over my old installation?
If you wish to upgrade from the 2006 or 2004 Release to the 2010 Release, we suggest that you contact IHSDM Support for assistance at IHSDM.Support@fhwa.dot.gov or (202)-493-3407.
When is the next version of IHSDM anticipated?
The next Public Release of IHSDM is likely to be in 2011. Updates to the IHSDM-HSM Predictive Method 2010 Release might be provided in the interim, if significant changes/fixes are made to the software in advance of the 2011 Release.
How do I get technical support for IHSDM?
The technical support email address is: IHSDM.Support@fhwa.dot.gov.
The technical support phone number is: (202) 493-3407.
Is formal training available for IHSDM?
Yes, see this.
Is IHSDM available for the (insert your favorite) operating system?
Currently, IHSDM is available for the recent various flavors of the Microsoft Windows operating system. The supported versions of Windows Intel IA32 include:
- Windows XP Professional
- Windows XP Home
- Windows Server 2003
- Windows 2000 Professional
- Windows 2000 Server
- Windows Vista
- Windows 7
Supported versions of Windows x64 include
- Windows XP Professional
- Windows Server 2003
- Windows Vista
- Windows 7
Most IHSDM development an testing is done in a x64 and IA32 Windows XP Professional environments.
IHSDM is implemented in the Java programming language, and in theory, is portable to operating systems supporting a Java 6 virtual machine (for example). Some testing of IHSDM has been done on Linux using the Sun Linux Java Runtime Environment, however we are not packaging a distribution of IHSDM for Linux or any other operating system because of a lack of demand. For more information, see this.
Are the latest AASHTO policies available for IHSDM?
Yes. The IHSDM Policy Review Module references the 1990, 1994, 2001 and 2004 editions of AASHTO's A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets.
Is there a way to add my organization's design policies to IHSDM?
Yes. The IHSDM Administration Tool (admintool.exe) includes the capability to edit values in currently available AASHTO policy tables to reflect other organizations' design policies. A limitation is that it is not possible to alter the column structure of the policy tables.
Is there a way to interface my highway design software to IHSDM?
IHSDM can import LandXML format data (Schema 1.0). Many civil engineering design software packages also support LandXML and can export data into this format. A list of such software packages is available on the LandXML web site (www.landxml.org). In addition, the GEOPAK-to-IHSDM Data Extraction tool (an MDL application) is distributed with IHSDM; the tool works with GEOPAK 98, 2000, and 2001.
IHSDM Data Structure
Where can I find information on how projects, highways, intersections and evaluations are related?
For detailed information on how projects, highways, intersections and evaluations are related, refer to the "IHSDM Interface and Data Organization" section of the IHSDM documentation (Help > Help Browser).
Graphical User Interface
Is there an alternative to using edit dialogs for list boxes?
The user can customize how list boxes function by setting the options found on the Review/Edit GUI Preferences accessed through the Edit/Preferences Controls menu item.
Is there a way to use the Firefox/Mozilla/Netscape/Internet Explorer HTML browser?
The user can select any installed HTML browser by using the HTML browser file chooser on the Ancillary Programs tab of the Review/Edit GUI Preferences dialog accessed through the Edit/Preferences main menu item.
