Only a few EMME/2 users are aware of DISA, a set of EMME/2 compatible modules for detailed, disaggregate analysis of individual trips. DISA has been available to selected users since the last two years. It can be used for any transportation analysis that requires the computation of the optimal strategy (or route) between two specific points on a multimodal network, and the evaluation of its attributes. In fact, its main use so far has been in the context of the calibration and use of disaggregate choice models (mode choice, destination choice).
The basic input for DISA is a "trip", specified by its origin and destination coordinates. A first module, "Selection of access/egress nodes", selects the access and egress nodes on the base network that are the closest to the origin and destination coordinates of the individual trip. A second module, "Evaluation of trip alternatives", computes the optimal strategy to reach the destination coordinates from the origin coordinates, using the sets of access and egress nodes, entered along with the coordinates.
Until now, these two modules were not included in the standard distribution EMME/2 system, but were only available upon special request. In the next release, the two modules will be fully integrated into the EMME/2 system, and during this process they will undergo some modifications. While the basic functionality will remain unchanged, some new features will be added and the dialog and output formats might also change slightly.
On another topic, the plotter and printer utilities GPR and GPL are also being subject to continuous enhancements. The GPR program has been modified to take full advantage of the newer generation of 18 and 24 pin dot-matrix printers. The program now provides support for printers of the EPSON LQ series and compatibles (including NEC's P series), the OKIDATA model 290 series and many others. A direct CALCOMP interface is being added to the GPL plotter utility program. This interface is based on the CALCOMP 906 protocol, so that it can run with any current CALCOMP plotter model.