NEXUS - Features and Compatibility

Start Designing Intersections Much More Efficiently with NEXUS

As each design component is interdependent in NEXUS, you can analyze and monitor the performance of the entire intersection layout as changes are made. This dramatically speeds up the process of developing geometry and surface drainage for the intersection layout.

Intersection Layout Designing
  • Dynamically generate intersections using any or a combination of the four different methods: Lane Configuration; Capacity Conditions; Leg Templates; Intersection Templates
  • Create intersection layouts with schematic pavement markings and edges, traffic direction arrows, control radii, corner geometry, and island envelopes
  • Define the alignment location in relation to the intersection lane and road lanes
  • Add legs by selecting a predefined template or user-generated template
  • Add intersection by selecting a pre-defined template
  • Specify the median island envelope and divisional island envelope width
  • Define the parameters related to the storage length in auxiliary lane
  • Specify stop bar parameters for length, line width, and start position
  • Set crosswalk parameters for line width, width, and start position
  • Save, update, recall, and preview different intersection iterations with design manager
Intersection Geometry Generation
  • Define bay taper ratio and auxiliary taper type (straight line taper; symmetrical; reverse curve; asymmetrical reverse curve; partial tangent taper)
  • Insert crosswalks with the ability to define the start position and rotation
  • Draw islands, corner islands, and medians on a specific layer with different colour codes
  • Add bike lines with Bicycle Lane Symbol schematic pavement markings
  • Ability to align one stop bar to another stop bar in the adjacent lanes
  • Include road gutters created from a constant offset from the road edge
  • Define corner island envelope including slip lane width, entry and exit offset
  • Choose from three corner geometry types: Arc, Biarc, Triarc (Entry and exit tapers can be added)
  • Configure the control radius affecting the median opening length
Design Vehicle Paths and Movement
  • Use the patent pending Vehicle Envelope Method to generate intersection geometry
  • Ability to define complex corner geometry with design vehicle movement
  • Generate vehicle paths for left and right turns to determine nose median position, stop bar location, and corner geometry to meet swept path requirements
  • Generate movements for multiple turning lanes (radius or speed)
  • Calculate the best-fit Triarc corner geometry based on the inner tyre track of the vehicle path
  • Define the slip lane edge of a corner island envelope based on the outer tyre track of the vehicle
  • Ability to display combined inner and outer tyre track
Design Grading Features
  • Create 3D grading models of an intersection with vertical profiles designed to each alignment
  • Draw basic contour lines based on the contour intervals for evaluating drainage patterns
  • View a graphical display of the intersection's vertical profile with adjustable ranges
  • Add, edit, and move the VPI (Vertical Points of Interest) to a specific station and elevation
  • Edit the cross slopes between a fixed alignment and offset alignment
  • Add slopes at stations within a cross slope region and add a cross slope region to a corner region
  • Check for maximum cross slope or minimum alignment slope in the design
Capacity Condition Evaluation of Intersections
  • Import HCS (Highway Capacity Software) file data for signalised and unsignalised intersections to initialize geometric design and traffic flow
  • Update intersection from capacity conditions for signalized or unsignalized intersections by setting the parameters for number of entry lanes and exit lanes, storage length, crossing parameter (Travel Distance or Crosswalk Width), entry lane widths, and lane adjustments (Right Turn Signalized)
  • Revise capacity conditions based on the NEXUS intersection design in the drawing, updating the capacity conditions, and setting to be the new benchmark
Sight Line Distances Analysis
  • Toggle the display of sight lines on or off for a selected intersection design
  • Insert a new sight line assessment with the ability to override the default design criteria
  • Generate sight triangles for left and right turns with user-defined stopping sight distances or from AASHTO 2004
  • Check sight lines on opposing left turns on major streets to ensure adequate sight distances
  • Use design values for: Perception-Brake Time; Deceleration; Acceleration due to Gravity; Approach Speeds
  • Evaluate critical points, like pedestrians waiting to cross, for the stopping and sight distances
Conflict Point Analysis
  • Determine the number of conflict points from vehicle paths that cross, merge, or diverge
  • Assess the conflict points of paths schematics ( left, right, through) and right/left turning radius
  • Select the drive paths that need to be considered for conflict point analysis
  • Draw: Conflict Points; Tally of Crossing Points; Merge Points; Diverge Points; and Total Points
  • Graphically display conflict point diagram with colour coded points
Dynamic Editing Capabilities
  • Add and remove legs from the intersection by selecting lines and arcs
  • Ability to replace, rotate, and shift geometry/alignments of a selected leg
  • Edit lane configurations by adding or deleting lanes (up to 10 lanes per leg), lane directions, and medians
  • Ability to control road widening elements including: functional area length and end offset; approach taper and start; departure taper and start
  • Control lane settings for lane width, lane taper, and taper length
Reporting Features
  • Intersection Summary Report – Ability to create and view a summary report with all relative intersection design information
  • Capacity Conditions Report – Create a table with data on capacity conditions and the intersections summary report side by side to compare requirements
CAD Platform Compatibility

Platform Requirements:

  • AutoTURN 6.1 (or higher), AutoTURN Pro 3D, or AutoTURN InSite (sold separately) installation on the same workstation
  • AutoCAD® 2007 – 2011 series of products (except AutoCAD LT)
  • AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2008 – 2011
  • MicroStation® V8 XM, V8i, Geopak, Inroads

System Requirements:

  • Full support for 64-bit operating systems
  • Workstation: Windows® XP, Vista, Windows® 7
  • Network: Windows® Server 2000, 2003, 2008

Languages Available:

  • English