This list is updated periodically.  Additional information is also available by visiting the HCM/Cinema Home Page, and SIG/Cinema Home Page.

What is the difference between HCM/Cinema and SIG/Cinema?

Do I need to purchase both HCM/Cinema and SIG/Cinema?

Do the new versions of HCM/Cinema and SIG/Cinema read data files produced by earlier versions?

If I upgrade from HCM/Cinema to SIG/Cinema, can I still use my existing HCM/Cinema data files?

Delays computed by SIG/Cinema V2-3 and HCM/Cinema V4-5 are much higher than delays computed by earlier versions of the software.  Is this correct?

What is the difference between the FHWA TRAF-NETSIM and the version of TRAF-NETSIM contained within HCM/Cinema and SIG/Cinema?

Can I create data sets with Cinema for the FHWA TRAF-NETSIM or import existing TRAF-NETSIM data sets into HCM/Cinema or SIG/Cinema?

Do HCM/Cinema and SIG/Cinema produce comparable results to the HCS?

Does HCM/Cinema or SIG/Cinema model 5 legged intersections?

Does HCM/Cinema or SIG/Cinema model multiple intersections?

What does the term "Network Version" mean for HCM/Cinema and SIG/Cinema?

Does my Cinema hardware key have to be on the same port as the printer or printer network?

What is the difference between HCM/Cinema^© and SIG/Cinema^©?

SIG/Cinema^© includes all of the features of HCM/Cinema^©:

plus the ability to optimize signal cycle lengths, phasing sequence and timings. You can select from among 5 different optimization objectives and quickly assess the relative trade-offs among them. You can also evaluate up to 12 different cycle lengths and 121 phasing plans in a single SIG/Cinema^© run.  SIG/Cinema^© Version 3 will also read any data files produced by HCM/Cinema^© Versions 3-5.

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Do I need to purchase both HCM/Cinema^© and SIG/Cinema^©?

No. If you purchase SIG/Cinema^©, you will have all of the features of HCM/Cinema^© plus the ability to optimize signal cycle lengths, phasing sequence and timings. If you already own HCM/Cinema^©, you can upgrade to replace your existing copies of the software with SIG/Cinema^©.

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Do the new versions of HCM/Cinema^© and SIG/Cinema^© read data files produced by earlier versions?

Yes. Both HCM/Cinema^© V5 and SIG/Cinema^© V3 will read and automatically translate case files for all previous versions of SIG/Cinema^© and files created with HCM/Cinema^© Versions 3-5.  To use files created with HCM/Cinema^© V1-2, you must first convert them to one of the formats recognized by the latest software.  To do this, use HCM/Cinema^© 3 or SIG/Cinema^© 1.0 or 1.1 to read the older case files and then save them without re-running. The save operation will convert the file into a form readable by the latest software.

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If I upgrade from HCM/Cinema^© to SIG/Cinema^©, can I still use my existing HCM/Cinema data files?

SIG/Cinema^© Version 3 reads data files produced by HCM/Cinema^© Versions 3-5.  To use files created with HCM/Cinema^© Versions 1-2, you must first convert them to one of the formats recognized by the latest software.  To do this, use HCM/Cinema^© 3 or SIG/Cinema^© 1.0 or 1.1 to read the older case files and then save them without re-running. The save operation will convert the file into a form readable by the latest software.

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Delays computed by SIG/Cinema^© 2-3 and HCM/Cinema^© 4-5 are much higher than delays computed by earlier versions of the software.  Is this correct?

Yes.  SIG/Cinema^© 2.0-2.1 and HCM/Cinema^© 4.0-4.1 are based upon the 1997 HCM methodology while SIG/Cinema^© 3 and HCM/Cinema^© 5 are based upon the latest 2000 HCM methodology.  Both the 1997 and 2000 HCM methodologies generally produce higher delays than the earlier methodologies and the HCM has redefined the Level of Service thresholds to reflect this.

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What is the difference between the FHWA TRAF-NETSIM^© and the version of TRAF-NETSIM^© contained within HCM/Cinema^© and SIG/Cinema^©?

As the original developers of TRAF-NETSIM^© under contract to the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), KLD Associates created a custom version of the software specifically designed for traffic engineers engaged in intersection design, signal timing, and HCM analyses. This version of the traffic simulation model is embedded within both HCM/Cinema^© and SIG/Cinema^© and includes the following unique features:

Like HCM/Cinema^© and SIG/Cinema^©, the custom version of their embedded TRAF-NETSIM^© simulation model is designed to study the operation of a single intersection, whereas the FHWA version of the software can be used to study traffic networks.

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Can I create data sets with Cinema for the FHWA TRAF-NETSIM^© or import existing TRAF-NETSIM^© data sets into HCM/Cinema^© or SIG/Cinema^©?

No. This is because the data file used by the Cinema version of the simulation model includes somewhat different input formats to accommodate additional inputs relative to the FHWA version. These inputs are needed for the special features of the Cinema version of TRAF-NETSIM^©.

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Do HCM/Cinema^© and SIG/Cinema^© produce comparable results to the HCS?

Yes. HCM/Cinema^©, SIG/Cinema^© and the HCS are all strictly based upon the methodology contained within the 2000 Highway Capacity Manual (HCM). In fact, the original HCS was developed by staff of the Polytechnic University who are also co-developers of HCM/Cinema^© and SIG/Cinema^©.

If you believe you have identified a difference in results between a Cinema product and the HCS, please carefully review your input specifications to both software packages to ensure that they are absolutely identical. Comparable results can only be obtained if both input streams reflect identical conditions.

In almost every instance where a customer reported a difference in results between a Cinema product and the HCS, it was found that the customer is employing slightly different inputs to the Cinema and HCS software.

If you need any further assistance, please contact us.

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Does HCM/Cinema^© or SIG/Cinema^© model 5 legged intersections?

Not directly. To model 5 legged intersections, it is necessary to represent the intersection as 2 intersections, each with up to 4 approaches to ensure that all 5 approaches are modeled.

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Does HCM/Cinema^© or SIG/Cinema^© model multiple intersections?

Not really. While both HCM/Cinema^© and SIG/Cinema^© are intended for single intersection analyses, they do in fact internally model the operation of all the intersections adjacent to the analysis intersection. This is done by the TRAF-NETSIM^© traffic simulation model embedded within HCM/Cinema^© and SIG/Cinema^©. This is necessary to generate the appropriate platoon arrival patterns on each approach to the intersection as specified by the user for a standard HCM analysis.

You may observe the specified platoon arrival pattern on the Cinema animation display.

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What does the term "Network Version" mean for HCM/Cinema^© and SIG/Cinema^©?

HCM/Cinema^© and SIG/Cinema^© include a Hardware Key to prevent unlicensed use of the software.  The Hardware Key attaches to the parallel port of your computer.  If you purchase the standard non-Network Version of the software, you receive a Key for each PC covered in your license.    If you purchase a Network Version of the software, (at an additional cost of $395 US), you receive a single "Network Key" which must be attached to the parallel port of any computer on the network.  Special driver software is installed on the computer attached to the Network Key, and this computer must be on whenever anyone on the network uses HCM/Cinema^© or SIG/Cinema^©.

The Network Key is programmed to allow simultaneous access to the software by as many individual PCs on the network as are included in your license.  For example, if your license covers 2 PCs, the Network Version will allow you to simultaneously use the software on any 2 PCs on the network. (In this case with the non-Network version, you could simultaneously use the software on just the 2 specific PCs which have non-Network keys attached.)  Of course, you can always upgrade your license to cover additional PCs as necessary with either the Network or non-Network version.   A Multiple Site License must be purchased for networks which connect multiple offices.  A description of licensing options and costs is available on the Cinema Pricing page.

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Does my Cinema hardware key have to be on the same port as the printer or printer network?

No. The key may be on the same port as your printer or on a different port. The software searches all the ports on your computer to locate the key. If both the key and the printer cable are to be attached to the same port, be sure to install the hardware key first and plug the printer cable into it.

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