Frequently Asked Questions

This document is a list of frequently asked questions related to the IHSDM software. The document is applicable to the IHSDM 2015 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 2015 Release Update includes six evaluation modules: Crash Prediction, Policy Review, Design Consistency, Intersection Review, Traffic Analysis and Driver/Vehicle Modules. The Crash Prediction Module (CPM) serves as a faithful implementation of Part C (Predictive Method) of the Highway Safety Manual (HSM) for rural two-lane highways (HSM Chapter 10), multilane rural highways (HSM Chapter 11), urban and suburban arterials (HSM Chapter 12), freeways (HSM Chapter 18) and ramps/interchanges (HSM Chapter 19). The Policy Review Module (PRM) is applicable to rural 2-lane and rural multilane highways. 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.fhwa.dot.gov/research/tfhrc/projects/safety/comprehensive/ihsdm/index.cfm.

I have the IHSDM 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 or 2008 Public Release and/or the IHSDM 2009 CPM Beta Release. Can I install the IHSDM-HSM Predictive Method 2015 Release Update over my old installation?

You can install the IHSDM 2015 Release Update (version 11.1.0; March 11, 2016) over 2011 and later versions of IHSDM. You should not install the IHSDM 2015 Release Update over versions from before 2011. To access your 2010/2009/2008 Release Projects, first Archive the Projects in the old Release, and then Un-Archive the Projects in the 2015 Release Update.

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_11_1_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 2015 Release Update. 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 2015 Release Update. 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 2015 Public Release Update."

You may install the 2015 Release Update over the 2015 Release, 2014 Release Update, 2014 Release, 2013 Release, 2012 Release or 2011 Release. You can archive your 2010/2009/2008 Release projects individually (via Project Operations > Archive Project), then un-archive them in the 2015 Release Update (via User Operations > Un-archive Project).

I have the IHSDM 2006 or 2004 Release. Can I install the 2015 Release Update over my old installation?

If you wish to upgrade from the 2006 or 2004 Release to the 2015 Release Update, we suggest that you contact IHSDM Support for assistance at or (202)-493-3407.

When is the next version of IHSDM anticipated?

The next full Public Release of IHSDM is likely to be in the fall of 2016.

How do I get technical support for IHSDM?

The technical support email address is: .

The technical support phone number is: (202) 493-3407.

Is formal training available for IHSDM?

Yes, as noted here.

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.

Note: The software development team has not tested IHSDM version 11.1.0 on the Windows 8 Operating System, but our expectation is that it will run successfully.

IHSDM is implemented in the Java programming language, and in theory, is portable to operating systems supporting a Java 7 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.

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 and the Highway Safety Manual

What is the relationship between the IHSDM - HSM Predictive Method 2015 Release Update and AASHTO's 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. In addition, the HSM 2014 Supplement contains Predictive Methods for Freeways and Ramps (HSM Chapters 18 and 19, respectively). 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.

My agency wants to calibrate Highway Safety Manual Part C crash prediction models. Can IHSDM assist this effort?

Yes! A Calibration Utility is in the IHSDM Administration Tool (Admin Tool), to assist agencies in implementing the calibration procedures described in the Appendix to Part C of AASHTO’s Highway Safety Manual (HSM).

The Crash Prediction panel of the Administration Tool contains three sections:

• Calibration Data Sets
• Crash Distribution Data Sets
• Model Data Sets

The Calibration Data Sets interface provides a mechanism for users to enter, edit and organize the site data to be used to calculate the calibration factors for the various crash prediction models available in the IHSDM Crash Prediction Module (and, thus, in HSM Part C). In addition to containing the user-entered site data, each Calibration Data Set is also linked to a Crash Distribution Data Set and a Model Data Set.

Within the Calibration Data Set interface, the user can choose to either Calibrate Using Site Data or Manually Specify a Calibration Factor for each of 42 crash prediction models covering rural two-lane highways, rural multilane highways, urban/suburban arterials, freeway segments, and freeway ramps/interchanges (ramps, C-D roads and ramp terminals).

When running a Crash Prediction Module (CPM) evaluation, the user indicates which Calibration Data Set to use in that particular evaluation. The CPM then applies the appropriate calibration factors from the user-selected Calibration Data Set.

Tutorial Lesson 10 (CPM Calibration) provides step-by-step instructions and hands-on exercises related to the calibration process.

IHSDM Policy Review Module

Are the latest AASHTO policies available for IHSDM?

Yes. The IHSDM Policy Review Module references the 1990, 1994, 2001, 2004 and 2011 editions of AASHTO's A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, for policy checks on rural two-lane highways; and the 2004 and 2011 editions for policy checks on rural multilane highways.

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.

IHSDM Data Structure

Where can I find information on how projects, highways, intersections, Site Sets and evaluations are related?

For detailed information on how projects, highways, intersections, Site Sets 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.