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Getting Started

New to SIDRA INTERSECTION? This guide walks you through setting up the software, understanding the interface, and running your first analysis.

1. Set Up the Software

Before using SIDRA INTERSECTION, make sure your system is ready, the software is installed, and your licence is activated.

  • Requirements

    Check that your computer meets the system requirements.

  • Installation

    Download and install the software.

  • Licensing

    Activate your 1PC, FLOATING, or Subscription licence.

Software Setup

During the first installation, you will be prompted to select a Default Software Setup that matches your local practice (e.g. Standard Left, Standard Right, US HCM). You can change this later under Manage tab > Software Setup.

2. Choose Your Software Setup

When you first install SIDRA INTERSECTION, you will be asked to select a Software Setup that determines default parameters for your region:

Software Setup Description
Standard Left Driving on the left (Australia, UK, etc.)
Standard Right Driving on the right (Europe, Canada, etc.)
New Zealand Special defaults for New Zealand
US HCM (Metric) Highway Capacity Manual with metric units
US HCM (Customary) Highway Capacity Manual with US customary units
New South Wales Special model defaults for NSW, Australia

If you have used User Setups from a previous version, export them from that version before uninstalling, then import them via Manage tab > Software Setup.

3. Understand the Interface

Launch SIDRA INTERSECTION by double-clicking the desktop icon or from Start > All Programs > SIDRA SOLUTIONS > SIDRA INTERSECTION.

The user interface is organised into several key areas:

  • Title Bar and Quick Access Toolbar — Project name, program version, and quick commands for File, Process, and Input/Output.
  • Ribbon (first row) — Main tabs: File, Site, Network, Volume Store, Maps, Tools, Manage, and Licensing.
  • Ribbon (second row) — Context-dependent Setup and Output tabs for the selected main tab.
  • Project Pane (left) — Lists all Sites, Networks, Routes, and Volume Bins in the current Project. Resize this pane as needed.
  • Display Pane (right) — Shows output reports, displays, and layout graphics. Tabbed displays can be grouped vertically or horizontally.
  • Status Bar (bottom) — Displays operational status (e.g. Opening, Processing) and licence type.

Project structure

A SIDRA INTERSECTION Project consists of Sites (individual intersections or crossings), Networks (groups of connected Sites), and Routes (paths through a Network). All are stored in a single .sipx Project file.

4. Create Your First Site

A Site represents a single intersection, pedestrian crossing, or other road element. To create your first Site:

  1. Start a new Project — when you launch the program, an empty Project is created automatically. You can also use File > New.

  2. Add a new Site — under the Site > Setup tab, use the Add New Site group in the ribbon. Select your intersection type:

    • Signals — signalised intersections (Fixed-Time or Actuated)
    • Roundabout — single or multi-lane roundabouts
    • Give-Way / Yield — priority-controlled intersections
    • Stop — stop sign controlled intersections
    • Pedestrian Crossing — signalised or unsignalised crossings

    Alternatively, click Select Template to start from a pre-configured Site Template.

  3. Define the geometry — configure the number of approaches (up to 8 legs), lanes per approach, lane disciplines (exclusive or shared), and any short lanes, slip lanes, or special features. Use the input dialogs in the Site Input section of the Project Pane.

  4. Enter traffic volumes — input your movement volumes by approach and movement class (Light Vehicles, Heavy Vehicles, Buses, Bicycles, etc.). You can specify volumes for different count periods (e.g. 15-minute, 60-minute).

  5. Set phasing (signalised intersections) — configure signal phases showing which movements have right of way in each phase. SIDRA INTERSECTION can also optimise cycle time and green splits for you.

5. Run and Review Results

Once your Site data is prepared:

  1. Process the Site — use the Process command in the Site > Setup tab ribbon, or from the Quick Access Toolbar.

  2. Review key outputs — results appear in the Display Pane. Key performance measures include:

    Output Description
    Level of Service (LOS) Overall intersection performance grade
    Degree of Saturation (v/c) Volume-to-capacity ratio for each movement
    Average Delay Mean delay per vehicle (seconds)
    Queue Length Average and 95th percentile queue lengths
    Stop Rate Average number of stops per vehicle
    Operating Cost Vehicle operating cost estimates
    Fuel Consumption Fuel consumption and emission estimates

  3. Inspect layout displays — use the Site Layout display to visually check your intersection geometry, lane configuration, and movement assignments.

  4. Check input data — use the Data Summary group under the Site > Setup tab to review Phase Sequence, Input Report, Movement IDs, and Input Volumes.

  5. Export results — use File > Output To PDF to save reports and displays in PDF format.

Save frequently

Save your Project file regularly during data preparation using File > Save or the Quick Access Toolbar.

6. Build a Network (Optional)

To analyse connected intersections:

  1. Create Sites for each intersection in the network.

  2. Add a Network — under the Network > Network Setup tab, click Add Network. The Network Configuration dialog allows you to connect your Sites graphically.

  3. Define Routes — under the Network > Route Setup tab, click Add Network Route to define travel paths through the Network for performance reporting and signal offset calculations.

  4. Process the Network — SIDRA INTERSECTION will calculate interactions between Sites, including queue spillback, lane blockage, and coordinated signal timings.

Networks can include up to 50 Sites with any combination of signalised intersections, roundabouts, and sign-controlled intersections.

7. Full User Guide

The complete SIDRA INTERSECTION User Guide is available directly within the software. You can access it via:

  • The Help button () at the right-hand end of the ribbon tabs bar
  • File tab > Help group

The in-software User Guide covers all aspects of SIDRA INTERSECTION in detail, including input data preparation, model calibration, output interpretation, network modelling, the Volume Store, SIDRA MAPS, and the SIDRA API.

8. Explore Further

  • Technical Advice

    Calibration, roundabout modelling, network analysis and modelling guidance.

  • Where is INPUT?

    Find where to enter any input parameter in the software.

  • Where is OUTPUT?

    Find where to view any output report or display.

  • Glossary

    Road traffic analysis terms and definitions.

Additional resources:

  • Tutorial Videos — Watch step-by-step video guides on YouTube
  • Publications — Technical papers, reports and presentations
  • SIDRA API — Programming interface for automation and custom workflows