RoadSoft Terms

RoadSoft uses the following terms. For graphical information, follow the links to the diagrams (only a limited set are available through this page). The information shown in between [ and ] describes the constraints in type and value for each input to RoadSoft.

Desc.: optional text descriptions for file, luminaire, geometry or roadway input data.
File (RSI File): the entire set of input values including the descriptions.
Geometry: the pattern of luminaire locations described by the layout, spacing, mounting height and overhang(s).
IES File: name of a file with photometric data in IES format.
#Lanes: number of lanes in the travelled way [integer, greater than 0]. Each lane has equal width. (the number of points times the number of lanes may not exceed 320.)
Layout: one of the defined patterns of luminaires along the roadway [L, R, O, or S], called Left, Right, Opposite and Staggered. When the median is greater than zero, every layout is expanded to include luminaires located on the other side of the median. (also see Overhang and OverMedian.)
Left: the layout with luminaires only on the left-hand-side of the roadway. See the layout for left side in this diagram and the diagram with a median.
LLF: the light loss factor (LLF) for the luminaires [real, greater than 0.01 up to 1.0]. This value should reflect the worst-case situation over the maintenance cycle.
Longitudinal: the direction along the the roadway, in the direction of travel, compare with transverse.
Luminaire: the equipment described by the photometric file, along with the rated lumens and the LLF, and located as defined in the geometry.
Median: the distance from the left-hand edge of one traveled wy to the other [real, greater than 0, default = 0]. When the median is greater than zero, there are additional luminaires included in the calculation, depending on the specified layout.
Mounting Height: the distance from the roadway up to the luminaire.
Opposite: the layout with luminaires directly across the roadway from each other. See the layouts for opposite in this diagram and the diagram with a median.
Overhang: the transverse distance from the edge of and in towards the roadway [real, any value], negative values correspond to setback.
OverMedian: is the overhang distance from the edge of a median (and then overhang applies to any luminaires on the outside of the roadway).
#Points Along): number of calculation points along the roadway in one spacing [integer, from 10 up]. This is the minimum number of points along each of the two longitudinal lines in each lane. There must be at least 10 points aand they must not be more than 5 meters apart (set automatically by RoadSoft). (the number of points tiems the number of lanes may not exceed 320.)
Rated Lumens: the value for the photometric file of the luminaire [real, 0 defaults to value in photometric file]. This value should relate to the initial rated lumens for the intended lamp.
Right: the layout with luminaires only on the right-hand-side of the roadway. See the layout for right side in this diagram and the diagram with a median.
Road Class: refers to the roadway surface classification per RP-8 as one of four defined types [R1, R2, R3, R4]. R1 is considered representative of concrete surfaces while R3 is the typical for asphalt/blacktop, and considered the default.
Roadway: the traveled way, comprised of a number of lanes of equal width, with a horizontal surface described by a 'R' class. This does not include any shoulders, breakdown lanes or other paved areas outside the traveled way.
Setback: the transverse distance, measured from the edge of the roadway and away from it, appplied in RoadSoft as negative values [real, less than 0] for overhang.
Spacing: the longitudinal distance between luminaire locations [real, greater than 0]. See layout and corresponding diagrams.
Staggered: the layout with luminaires alternately across the roadway. See the layout for staggered in this diagram and the diagram with a median.
Transverse: the direction across the roadway, perpendicular to the direction of travel, compare with longitudinal.
Units: the unis used for all dimension in the input file: Feet or Meters [F or M].
Width/lane: the transverse dimension of one lane [real, greater than 0], where each lane has the same width.