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What's New in MTE v3.2

MetroCount 5805 Loop Counter

The MetroCount 5805 is MetroCount's new binned vehicle counter, with four inductive loop inputs. MTE v3.2 includes a comprehensive range of setup, diagnostic and analysis tools for the MC5805.

The MC5805 Roadside Unit uses the same intuitive setup interface as other MetroCount RSUs, now with up to four direction and lane assignments.

MC5805 Setup

MC5805 Setup

MCSetup's unique LoopScope provides crucial feedback about the properties and condition of a loop. The LoopScope also has a real-time rolling view of loop deviation caused by passing vehicles.

LoopScope real-time view

LoopScope real-time view

Binned MC5805 data can be analysed using MCReport's Event Count reports, which have been extended to include multi-lane support, and automatic divisors based on data type.

Event Flow with multiple lanes

Event Flow with multiple lanes

For more information about the MC5805, please see http://tech-metrocount.com/mc5805

MetroCount 5720 Piezo Classifier for Cycles

The MetroCount 5720 is MetroCount's latest piezo-based vehicle classifier, optimised for use on dedicated cycle paths. The MC5720 provides direction and speed of cycles from a pair of Measurement Specialties BL sensors, flush-mounted into the pavement.

MCReport automatically applies a modified algorithm to MC5720 data, enhancing partitioning and cluster separation.

For more information about the MC5720, please see http://tech-metrocount.com/mc5720

MCSetLite PC

A version of MCSetLite is now available for the PC, providing a fully translated MetroCount setup application for laptops, netbooks and desktop PCs. MCSetLite PC is installed as part of the main MTE installation.

MCSetLite PC - available in multiple languages

MCSetLite PC - available in multiple languages

MetroCount USB Adapter

The MetroCount USB Adapter provides a direct USB connection to MetroCount's RSUs, without the need for a separate conversion cable.

MetroCount USB Adapter

MetroCount USB Adapter

MCSetup automatically finds all serial ports on a PC, making selection of the correct serial port a simple process.

Identifying a MetroCount USB Adapter

Identifying a MetroCount USB Adapter

Enhanced Phase Map for Timing Analysis

MCReport's Phase Map (used for Timing Analysis reports) now includes the option to move the actual trigger events logged by a MetroCount 5712 backwards or forwards in time. This allows the addition of fixed-length phases prior to a trigger event.

Take the common example of a MC5712 connected to the Green light of a traffic signal. The B-trigger, signalling the beginning of the Green phase, can now be moved back by two seconds to cater for intersections with a Red + Yellow phase prior to the Green, as used in the UK.

Adding phases prior to trigger events

Adding phases prior to trigger events

The name of the Phase Map used is now included in the report header as the scheme used for the timing channel data.

Phase Map name included in report header

Phase Map name included in report header

Daylight Saving

MCReport now includes support for Daylight Saving transitions during a survey period. This is achieved by adding an empty period of data at the beginning transition, and removing a period of overlapped data at the ending transition.

The Daylight Saving zone is set in MCReport's Global Settings, by selecting Tools » Settings from MCReport's main menu. The selected zone will be applied to all datasets. Each zone has an entry per year, to allow for years with exceptional changes.

Adjusting for Daylight Saving

Adjusting for Daylight Saving

The selected Daylight Saving zone is displayed in each report's header. Transitions that occur within the duration of the report will be listed next to the zone.

Daylight Saving transitions are indicated in the report header

Daylight Saving transitions are indicated in the report header

GPS Support

MCSetup's GPS support for setting site coordinates is now continuously updating, with a satellite signal-strength display. Coordinates can be placed into the Attribute setup field using the check-box option at the bottom.

Retrieving site coordinates from a GPS

Retrieving site coordinates from a GPS

Datasets with site coordinates in their Attribute field can be automatically exported to a range of common mapping websites, by right-clicking the dataset in MCReport's File Tree view, and selecting Export location.

Exporting a site's location to common mapping websites

Exporting a site's location to common mapping websites

A web browser will be opened with the selected mapping site.

Example of site exported to Google Maps

Example of site exported to Google Maps

Adjusted Vehicle Flow Report

The Adjusted Vehicle Flow report analyses ADT and AADT for a site.

The first part of the report lists daily total volume, along with an adjusted volume, using adjustment factors entered into the report's Profile.

Daily volume and adjusted volume

Daily volume and adjusted volume

Entering adjustment factors

Entering adjustment factors

The second part of the report lists the calculated ADT/AADT, split into weekdays and weekends, and a list of adjustment factors calculated from the available data.

Adjusted Vehicle Flow totals and adjustment factors

Adjusted Vehicle Flow totals and adjustment factors

Event Count Method

The Event Count Method used by MCReport's Event Count reports has a range of new options for automatically detecting the natural count divisor for a given dataset, and for supporting mixed data types in a single report.

Selecting an Event Count Method

Selecting an Event Count Method

The default method is now Count events divided by setup divisor, which automatically divides the totals from each dataset by the natural divisor for the type of data. For example, data from a MetroCount 5600 that uses axle sensors, will be divided by two. Data from a MetroCount 5805 that uses loops to count vehicles, will be divided by one. This allows data from different sources to be combined into a single report.

Another new method is Count events divided by channel divisor, which uses a unique, manually assigned divisor for each tagged dataset in an Event Count report.

Manually setting the divisor for each dataset

Manually setting the divisor for each dataset

Event List Report

The Event List report now supports multiple datasets, and has the option to list all included lanes separately.

Using the Event List report to display all lanes for a site

Using the Event List report to display all lanes for a site

Custom List XML

The options for applying XSL transforms to Custom List XML data now include two new options, both using MCReport's internal XSL processor:

  • XSL transform and save - saves the transformed XML to the specified output file.

  • XSL transform, save and run - automatically saves the transformed XML to the default report file name, then launches the application targeted by the XSL transform.

Exporting data with XML

Exporting data with XML

A new example XSL transform called OpenOfficePaged is included, which supports the spreadsheet application from OpenOffice.org - an open-source, free download available from Sun Microsystems, Inc. http://www.openoffice.org/

Example spreadsheet output

Example spreadsheet output

Graphical Reports

Graphical reports can now include a background image, with variable transparency. This is useful for applying colour gradients, or company watermarks. The background image is set on the Format page of a reports Advanced Profile options.

Applying a background image to a graphical report

Applying a background image to a graphical report

Saving graphical reports as an image now supports a variety of compressed image formats, including PNG, GIF and JPG.