The HDM-4 Software is now available for order from HDMGlobal who have been granted exclusive distribution rights for five years by PIARC.

The HDM-4 Software package can be ordered from the official HDMGlobal distributor Ponts Formation Edition who will begin processing orders on 1st Sept 2005. For more details, detailed pricing, or to order contact Ponts Formation Edition at the following email address: presses.ponts@mail.enpc.fr

For more immediate requirements the HDM-4 Software package can be obtained directly from the HDMGlobal center located at the University of Birmingham. This will be available for shipping from 15th August 2005. For more details, detailed pricing, or to order contact sales@hdmglobal.com.

HDM-4 Software Package Licence Details

The HDM-4 Software package is being sold in the following licence packs:

• Standard : one Full Licence
• Four-Pack : four Full Licences

The full details of the licence and the conditions of use are contained in the End User Licence Agreement, which is issued with the software.

Discounts are available for the following end users:

• Users holding a valid HDM-4 Version 1.x licence pack (for a limited time period)
• Special Consideration Countries (SCC). SCCs are those countries eligible for assistance from the PIARC Special Fund. A full list of countries will be provided soon.
• Sales to training teams to enable the software to be used for a limited period for the sole purpose of training are subject to a 50% discount on the normal price.

All sales will be subject to a post, packaging, and handling fee. For more details contact one of the contacts above.

The HDM-4 Software Package is supplied on CD-ROM and consists of the following items:

• HDM-4 Version 2
• HDM-4 Data Migration Tool¹
• Guide to "Getting started with HDM-4 Version 2"
• HDM-4 Version 1.3²
• HDM-4 Version 1 Documentation Series³
• HDM-4 example case studies

All objects on the CD-ROM are issued under copyright. All copyrighted objects on the CD-ROM are subject to the normal conventions for attributing authors and source in bibliographic referencing.

The major improvements that are included in the HDM-4 Version 2.0 software are categorized and listed with a brief description below.

•  New Analysis Models

•  Sensitivity Analysis to allow a user to investigate the impact of variations in key parameters on the analysis results.

•  Budget Scenario Analysis to allow a user to compare the effects of different funding levels on the network being analysed.

•  Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) provides a means of comparing projects using criteria that cannot easily be assigned an economic cost.

•  Asset Valuation to provide a means to estimate the financial and economic value of road assets as a function of the level of investment.

•  Improved Connectivity

•  Data exchanged in a more common format (Microsoft Access)

•  Road Network and Vehicle Fleet data validated when imported

•  Improved Data Handling & Organisation

•  Redesign of New Section facilities for greater reuse.

•  Traffic redesign to better reflect the way data is used.

•  Improved Technical Models

•  Bituminous Road Deterioration and Work Effects updated for better calibration and improved modelling.

•  Unsealed Road Deterioration and Work Effects updated for better calibration.

•  Road User Effects updated for improved results.

•  Emissions updated with new relationships for improved results.

•  Improved Usability & Configuration

•  Advanced Intervention Editor and work item triggering logic.

•  Improved Alternatives User-Interface to provide greater feedback to the user without the need to continually open and close dialogs.

•  Post-Improvement Maintenance Standards can be defined for responsive improvements.

•  Calibration Sets introduced to aid the definition of a section by reusing common calibration characteristics of sections.

•  Accident Classes introduced to improve accident rate analysis.

More details will appear shortly on the HDMGlobal website which is currently under development.

¹The HDM-4 Version 1.3 workspaces are not directly compatible with HDM-4 Version 2 because of the improved data organisation and new features included. The Data Migration Tool enables a user to convert their exisiting HDM-4 Version 1.3 workspaces into a format compatible with HDM-4 Version 2.

²The HDM-4 Version 1.3 is only available as part of a package and can no longer be purchased on its own. Support for HDM-4 Version 1.3 will end in July 2006 under the terms of the HDMGlobal contract with PIARC.

³The HDM-4 software is currently being distributed with the Version 1 documentation series and a guide to getting started with the Version 2 software. The documentation series is currently being updated with the full details of Version 2 and will be available for free download to registered licence holders of the HDM-4 Version 2 software package.

Dr Eric Stannard, Technical Manager HDMGlobal
e.e.stannard@bham.ac.uk