transferring data from ArcGIS to TNM 2.5

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01-16-2015 08:41 AM
PolashBanerjee
New Contributor II

has anyone worked in  FHWA TNM 2.5 for noise impact modelling using ArcGIS for CAD file preparation?

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12 Replies
VincentMatheney
New Contributor

I use ArcGIS almost daily to prepare data for TNM 2.5. Do you have a specific question? We prepare most of our linework in ArcGIS, and export to DXF using ARC2CAD, a third party program. I have played with some other methods in the past also using tabular data so I could just transfer the elevation data as well. Let me know what you are trying to figure out and I will do my best to help out. Send me an email at vmatheney@msconultants.com.

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PolashBanerjee
New Contributor II

Hi Mr.  Matheney,

Thank you for your prompt help. My study area is a buffer area of 27 km length and 4 km breadth with a National highway at its centre. The study area is heavily forested and has steep elevation topography interspersed by small human habitations. 

For traffic noise prediction I am using FHWA TNM 2.5. I have prepared various input files for TNM viz. roadway, barriers, building rows, tree zones, terrain (contour map)and receivers (500 random points within the buffer area extent) as point feature shapefiles in ArcGIS 9.3 with X, Y, Z as attributes using UTM 45N plane projection system and DEM. Converted them into CAD (.DXF) files. I have also created Excel files from the dbase files generated from the aforesaid.

Problems:

1.       TNM can’t read point feature CAD files. FAQ in FHWA website suggests converting the files into polylines as TNM can read polylines. But unfortunately, there are too many points, especially in tree zone and terrain files. Will the polyline files preserve the XYZ values? Moreover, how will I convert the polylines back to points in TNM?

2.       Importing CAD files as background doesn’t help much. TNM can’t show these points. Only the spatial extent is shown in XY coordinate of TNM.

3.       I don’t know how to input the coordinate system i.e. UTM 45N into TNM.

4.       I don’t know how to transfer XYZ- values into the input windows as you can’t copy-paste columns from excel to TNM.

I will be much obliged if you may please guide me in these matters

With warm regards

Polash

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VincentMatheney
New Contributor

Polash,

Not a problem, Is this your first time working with TNM or do you have some previous experience? Hopefully, I can help you along. I will do my best to answer your questions below.

1. TNM can’t read point feature CAD files. FAQ in FHWA website suggests converting the files into polylines as TNM can read polylines. But unfortunately, there are too many points, especially in tree zone and terrain files. Will the polyline files preserve the XYZ values? Moreover, how will I convert the polylines back to points in TNM?

For point features (receivers), create a 5-10ft buffer around each point. The export it to DXF. You can then bring the DXF in and manually place your receiver points and assign them Z values.

Yes, TNM doesn’t like super complex models with a lot of points, you will need to simplify your model a bit it sounds like. When we do our models here for highway projects, we generally model roadways at 200 foot intervals. Receivers are set in Frequent use activity areas around homes, businesses or parks. Tree zones are useful but you really want to dumb them down into almost rectangular shapes with points where large areas change direction. Building rows are typically the same way and just have a line running along the front between the building and the roadway in question. Simplification is key. It should almost be a stick figure drawing when completed. TNM cannot read anything from Arc. Everything must be converted to DXF. Also, another tip, if your model is too complex, break the model into smaller study areas. Quite often we will be looking at multiple neighborhoods for a project and need to break it onto 3 or 4 models.

2. Importing CAD files as background doesn’t help much. TNM can’t show these points. Only the spatial extent is shown in XY coordinate of TNM.

When you import the DXF do not import it as a background, turn the background checkbox off. This will bring the DXF in as an object, which you can then convert to a feature under Input>Convert DXF Segments. It most like will not import the Z value. You will probably have to put it in manually in the Input Tables.

Also, when you export your Shapefiles to DXF, export them back to Autocad 12 DXF. TNM doesn’t like the newer versions of DXF.

3. I don’t know how to input the coordinate system i.e. UTM 45N into TNM.

TNM doesn’t care about coordinate systems. You just have to make sure that all of your shapefiles are in the same coordinate system when you export to DXF.

4. I don’t know how to transfer XYZ- values into the input windows as you can’t copy-paste columns from excel to TNM.

In order to copy and paste into TNM, you must first have points in your TNM model. For example, if I had a table in Excel that had 10 points for the length of a roadway. I would first create a roadway line with 10 points in TNM in a random location. Then open your inputs with Input>Roadways. Then find the table in TNM for the random roadway you just created, copy from Excel (columns must match if doing multiple columns) and paste into the TNM Input Table.

Once you have your XYZ pasted in, don’t forget to set your roadway widths and pavement types, etc.

Hopefully some of this is helpful. If you run into anymore question, feel free to shoot me another email.

Thanks,

Vince Matheney

ms consultants, inc<http://www.msconsultants.com/> | engineers, architects, planners

One South Main Street

Suite 801, Akron, Ohio 44308-1864

p: 330-258-9920 Ext. 12101

f: 330-258-9921

e: VMatheney@msconsultants.com<mailto:VMatheney@msconsultants.com>

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PolashBanerjee
New Contributor II

Mr Matheney

Thank you so much. Yes, I am absolutely new to TNM 2.5. I am already working in the line of your suggestions. I look forward to your valuable guidance in the future also.

warm regards

Polash

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PolashBanerjee
New Contributor II

Hi Vincent

'am again in a soup. I created a number of random receiver points in the plan view. Then copy pasted the coordinates including z value in the receiver input window in TNM. Later I deleted them as there were some mistakes with the entries. In the process the sequence number in receiver input box has changed so has the receiver name. I can change the receiver name, but that's not allowed in sequence number. That's all fine, but now when I enter new points, and copy paste coordinates from excel, TNM doesn't accept them, neither does sequence number revert back to 1. Infact the sequence number has increased to 876 !!! I have reinstalled TNM, but to no solution. 

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VincentMatheney
New Contributor

Polash,

The Sequence Numbers cannot be changed and in fact are really not important, they are only used by the program internally for identification purposes, much like the FID field in Arc. No one will ever see them but you. You will also notice for example in the Roadway Input a field called “Pnt. No”. These also cannot be altered. You will find similar rows in all the other Input Features as well.

It is however a good practice after you are done with the modeling and before Calculating to use the command Input>Renumber TNM Points. My understanding is that this will go through the model and eliminate any extraneous tabular data and renumber the above mentioned Sequence numbers, Point No., etc. accordingly. I have found that this prevents some glitches and hangups with the Calculations.

Happy Modeling! Let me know if you run into any more questions.

Vince Matheney

ms consultants, inc<http://www.msconsultants.com/> | engineers, architects, planners

One South Main Street

Suite 801, Akron, Ohio 44308-1864

p: 330-258-9920 Ext. 12101

f: 330-258-9921

e: VMatheney@msconsultants.com<mailto:VMatheney@msconsultants.com>

Connect: Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/pages/ms-consultants-inc/127446722000168> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/#!/ms_consultants> | LinkedIn<http://www.linkedin.com/company/ms-consultants-inc.> | ms Blog<http://www.msconsultants.com/blog/>

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PolashBanerjee
New Contributor II

Vincent

You did it again . I was able to input the receivers coordinates. Thanx Yaar ( in India a good friend is affectionately called Yaar !!)

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VincentMatheney
New Contributor

Polash,

You’re welcome. Glad I could help! ☺

Vince Matheney

ms consultants, inc<http://www.msconsultants.com/> | engineers, architects, planners

One South Main Street

Suite 801, Akron, Ohio 44308-1864

p: 330-258-9920 Ext. 12101

f: 330-258-9921

e: VMatheney@msconsultants.com<mailto:VMatheney@msconsultants.com>

Connect: Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/pages/ms-consultants-inc/127446722000168> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/#!/ms_consultants> | LinkedIn<http://www.linkedin.com/company/ms-consultants-inc.> | ms Blog<http://www.msconsultants.com/blog/>

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PolashBanerjee
New Contributor II

Hi Vincent

I have finished entering inputs on receivers, building rows, tree zones and roadway. I want to make a noise map of the study area in GIS. For that, I think it will be appropriate to use the noise 'contour zone tool' present in TNM.  Now, I don't know how to generate contour zones using TNM. The TNM manual says that, I need to input XY coordinates of the contours. Question? How will I know where the coordinates of say 50 dB will fall in the map !! Help me out please 

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