Via 25.1 released

Via logo
Via 25.1 is finally available. The new version does not only include numerous improved and new features, but provides auto-update functionality and a signed and notarized executable on macOS for a much improved experience.
 

New and improved features

Calculating the average link volumes and speeds until now just took all vehicles into account. But what if you only want the link volumes of freight vehicles or bicycles? In the new Via version, it is possible to filter for specific modes when calculating the average link volumes and speeds.

Link attributs can now be exported as CSV, including time-dependent attribute values.

Support new Counts format from MATSim

MATSim’s new counts_v2 format allows storing count values for different modes like private cars, freight trucks and bicycles. In addition, values are no longer restricted to 1-hour time slots, but support other time windows as well. Via supports the new file format fully, allowing to select for which mode counts should be compared.

Map Backgrounds

Via contains an updated list of map backgrounds, especially a few with reduced labels and colors, making them well-suited for data visualization. Light and dark variants of the maps are available to gather to all visualization needs.

The new version also supports loading Map Backgrounds with transparent background, allowing for custom map overlays.

New Build system with auto-update of Via

Part of the reason why the new Via version took a bit longer than expected is a completely new build system. As operating systems advance, they require more and more features from applications to nice integrate. Especially on macOS, applications need to be cryptographically signed and tested by Apple (“notarized”) in order to be executable without restrictions.

In order to fulfill those requirements, we had to make various changes to how we package our code to be run as a double-clickable executable. But those changes also offered some opportunities: The new versions of Via are now able to automatically update once a new version becomes available, improving the user-experience enormously.

We hope that with those changes in place, new versions of Via with added and improved features can again be rolled out more frequently in the future.

Other Improvements

  • Save screenshots as SVG
  • NetworkLayer supports the origgeom attribute from SupersonicOsmNetworkReader for detailed geometries.
  • Stuck Agents analysis now allows to create IdSets of stuck agents or vehicles.
  • GEH analysis of Counts did not include all counting stations.
  • Custom WMS map settings were not stored between sessions.
  • Time-dependent aggregation in the Aggregator and OD Aggregator layers did not properly update when the time changed.
  • Don’t crash loading a population file referencing facilities without facilities being loaded.

Download the latest version

The new version of Via is available immediately from the Download section!