Visualize traffic flows and optimize current information with Fosim.

The Netherlands is small, and our roads are used intensively. Therefore, a good layout of traffic junctions is essential now and in the future. About twenty years ago, several students and researchers at TU Delft came up with a solution. They developed a tool that can visualize traffic and predict where bottlenecks and traffic jams will arise. It is a system with a large calculation module, which is still used by Rijkswaterstaat and partners today.

'Fosim is a tool from Rijkswaterstaat that allows them to simulate traffic at junctions, entrances and exits. So they can let cars and other vehicles drive on the road in the simulation and see when it becomes too busy and traffic jams can arise.' Says Jeroen Warmerdam, project leader at Enigmatry.

The system runs on an old operating system and old software. There is, therefore, a chance that, for example, after a Windows update, the system no longer works properly.

'What makes the system unique is that it's fully tailored to the Dutch situation. There are other tools and systems with which you can make simulations, but no other system is fully adapted to the Dutch situation. The users enter information about the traffic on the road, and the system is calibrated to Dutch road users. It, therefore, considers the road use and behaviour of the Dutch driver, for example, how quickly Dutch people overtake and accelerate.'

About 12 years ago, Enigmatry took over the system from TU Delft and is currently working on further developing a vital part. 'Rijkswaterstaat and Enigmatry decided to rebuild the system partly. Rebuilding the system takes time, but it is worth it. 'Rijkswaterstaat made an analysis about a year ago in which they investigated how important the software is, which showed that the added value is great for developing Dutch roads. So they decided to invest in this. And the great thing about this is that we not only make the system future-proof but can also take new applications into account simultaneously.'

The Enigmatry team decided to combine the best of both worlds. 'The software is extremely computationally intensive, so the user usually needs a device to support this well. That is why we are now building a desktop application again, but it is nice for our client to be able to switch in the future. That is why the technology we use is based on that of web applications.'

'The world of web applications has grown strongly in recent years. There are more options and tools available. In addition, developing a web interface is faster than developing a desktop interface. That's why we are building a web application and, in a way, wrapping it with the xElectron framework. This makes it a desktop application, but we can still switch to a web application in the future. If our client wants to take the step, it is a piece of cake. For example, it is now already possible to test in a browser.'

The Enigmatry team is not rebuilding the entire system. 'We clearly distinguish between the user interface and the computing core. The calculation core calculates what Dutch administrators do.' This profile has been fine-tuned for fifteen years, and Enigmatry does not need to adjust it because that is such a powerful part of this system. However, it doesn't imply that Enigmatry neglects the computing core. 'We distinguish between software for the computing core and software for the user interface itself. We then want to convert the computing core to C++, without being dependent on specific environments, as before Borland.' In addition to the calculation core, there is also the user interface, where system users can design the roads. And this part will be reconstructed, ensuring the system's future-proofing and allowing for the integration of new applications.

One of the things that the Enigmatry team would like to address is how the 'lane switching behaviour' is now arranged in the user interface. 'The software proposes 'lane changing behaviour' and can therefore provide a forecast of when the first people will change lanes, but also calculate the point at which the rest of the people know that they really have to change lanes. These people use the smaller holes on the road surface. The system user can influence this behaviour, for example, by placing matrix signs or rearranging the road. This is already possible in the system, but in the future, we want to make this even nicer and clearer.'

The Enigmatry team started the project at the end of 2019, and the first results are visible. In the second half of 2020, the new Fosim will be able to be used for its intended purpose: fewer traffic jams.

Do you want to know more about this project and how we can help you? We are happy to help you!

Contact us at:

Email: sales@enigmatry.com

Phone: +31 (0)10 - 240 99 29