Class Technical Information

To attend this class, we recommend students directly connect through their agency's network and not attend the class from remote access or Wi-Fi. For questions and concerns, please email the class coordinator, Bernadette Edwards.

A limited trial, educational demo version of VISTRO will be provided for students who register for this class. If you already have VISTRO on your computer, you may also use that, but it isn't required to attend this course. For the best learning experience, it's recommended that you have two monitors. You will not be able to attend this class on your phone.

Description

This 16-hour online course (4 hours per session) provides beginning-to-intermediate training in developing and/or reviewing signal coordination projects completed using the VISTRO software developed by PTV / Umovity. Using a combination of interactive lecture, question and answer, and hands-on computer lab VISTRO model development, you will become proficient in the application of VISTRO Signal Optimization and Coordination. Working on a real-world signal coordination project, students will use VISTRO (with integrated Google aerials / street view), to add / modify roadways, input intersection geometrics, enter traffic volumes (cars, trucks, pedestrians, and bicycles), and signal timings (including Leading Pedestrian Intervals) to replicate/validate existing operations for signalized intersections.
Students will learn how to use VISTRO to conduct signal coordination projects and evaluate intersection level of service improvements consistent with the industry standard Highway Capacity Manual 7th Edition: A Guide for Multimodal Mobility Analysis (TRB 2022 and HCS7) analysis for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Students will use VISTRO to fully evaluate and develop optimized and improved signal timing plans that reduce delays, minimize stops, relieve congestion, and reduce fuel consumption / greenhouse gas emissions.
Lastly, students will be introduced to VISSIM, the microsimulation software that is a separate and integrated microsimulation software also developed by PTV / Umovity. VISSIM is used to fully analyze corridor intersection microsimulation operations, and we will compare the primary differences between "isolated - macro-level" VISTRO and "network-wide - micro-level" VISSIM analysis.

Click here for a detailed outline.

Topics Include

• Detailed review of VISTO Signal Optimization and Coordination input requirements
• Development of VISTRO network using a hands-on real-world signal coordination project
• Optimizing cycle length and signal timings for a single intersection that is added to an existing corridor
• Optimizing cycle length and coordinated signal timings (splits and offsets) for a group of intersections in a corridor
• Multi-modal vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle LOS using the HCM 7th Edition
• Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) of VISTRO Results
• Optimizing signal timings for a group of intersections
• Introduction to VISSIM, an integrated microsimulation software

What You Will Learn

Using a hands-on real-world project in a virtual computer lab class setting, students will be able to interact with the instructor as they become proficient in the VISTRO Signal Coordination software. This includes using the integrated Google aerial background and street-view, add/modify roadways, inputting intersection geometrics and pocket lengths, entering multi-modal volumes (cars, trucks, peds, bicyclists), and signal timings t timings (including Leading Pedestrian Intervals) to replicate / validate existing operations analysis for signalized intersections.
Students will also learn how to review VISTRO completed signal coordination study parameters, including geometrics, multi-modal volumes, and signal timing inputs. You will learn the steps to effectively Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) review VISTRO Signal Coordination Project Reports, including intersection level of service by movement and approach, vehicle queuing analysis, and the benefits of signal coordination projects in reducing delays, minimizing stops, relieving congestion, and reducing fuel consumption / greenhouse gas emissions.
Lastly, you will learn how to review and understand the analysis results and the potential differences when using the isolated formula based / empirical (VISTRO) analysis or the network-wide micro-simulation (VISSIM) analysis for signal coordination projects.

Who Should Attend

No prior experience using VISTRO or VISSIM is necessary. This course is designed for traffic engineers and signal controller technicians in both public agencies and private firms who engage in either developing or reviewing Signal Coordination Projects completed using the VISTRO Traffic Impact Study (TIS) software.

The materials in this course are based on the following references:

• PTV Group - VISTRO software (2025), PTV Group - Modeling and Planning Manual
• Transportation Research Board. Highway Capacity Manual,7th Edition, 2022

For More Information

About our courses and credits, see our FAQ
About payments, refunds, confirmations, and accessibility, see How to Enroll
Or email us with your questions at registrar@techtransfer.berkeley.edu

Cancellation Policy

To cancel your registration and receive a refund less a $75 processing fee, you must notify TechTransfer at least five (5) working days before the course is scheduled to begin. Notifications must be made in writing and sent by email to registrar@techtransfer.berkeley.edu. We reserve the right to charge the full course fee if proper notification is not sent to TechTransfer. We don't offer refunds for classes with registration fees of $75 or less.

In lieu of canceling your registration, you have three additional options: you may (1) transfer your registration to another class, (2) receive a tuition credit for the total amount, useable toward a future class, or (3) send a substitute in your place. Please contact us at least 5 full working days before the class is scheduled to begin so we may process your request.

If you’ve registered for a self-paced class, you cannot receive a refund once you start the class.

We recommend you discuss any possible problems or online security issues with your IT person before you register for any online classes. If you are worried about connectivity issues, please contact the online training coordinator the week before the class to schedule a time to test your system. If you do not test your system and you have technical issues during a live online class, we will not provide a refund.

Class Schedule

This class has four, 4-hour sessions on Tuesday and Thursday.

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 :: 8:00am - 12:00noon :: Pacific Time
Thursday, December 4, 2025 :: 8:00am -12:00noon :: Pacific Time
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 :: 8:00am - 12:00noon :: Pacific Time
Thursday, December 11, 2025 :: 8:00am -12:00noon :: Pacific Time

This is a live online course. All times for the online lecture are in (California) Pacific Time. Approximately one week before the course start date, all paid students will receive detailed instructions on how to access the web-based lecture and course site. You will also receive instructions on how to access the student course notebook.

Please make sure we have your updated contact information, and you have access to an internet connection for your desktop or laptop on the days and times of the course. We recommend you discuss any possible problems or online security issues with your IT person before registering for any online classes.

If you're worried about connectivity issues, please contact the online training coordinator, Bernadette Edwards, the week before the class to schedule a time to test your system. If you don't test your system and you have technical issues during a live online class; we will not provide a credit or refund.

This class is not eligible for any group discounts.