TraSiCAD

Traffic Sign Computer Aided Design (TraSiCAD) is an easy-to-use Windows application developed by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads to interactively design road signs.

Fully dimensioned guide signs that conform to Australian Standard 1743:2018 (Road signs - Specifications) can be created using a "wizard" tool, or alternatively, non-standard signs can be created from first principles. Australian Standard arrow types, roundabouts, diagrammatic direction symbols and route marker shields are provided, as well as a comprehensive selection of service and tourist symbols. Non-standard images can also be imported.

TraSiCAD can export to EMF, BMP and JPG files.

The TraSiCAD wizard enables the following signs to be quickly created:

• Advance direction signs (G1-1, G1-2, G1-4, G1-5 and G1-6)

• Intersection direction signs (G2-1, G2-2, and G2-4)

• Road name boards (G2-3)

• Rural road name finger boards (G3-3)

• Reassurance direction signs (G4-1)

Sign face templates are provided for kilometre plates, warning signs, give way signs, stop signs, pedestrian crossing signs and route markers.

TraSiCAD application is protected by a software locking tool. New installations will operate for a 30-day free trial period, before expiring and prompting the user for an 'unlock code'. The software can be licensed (unlocked) at any time, either during or after the trial period, by completing and submitting the TraSiCAD order form (PDF, 156 KB). It is important to specify the software serial number on this form so that a personalised unlock code to be generated and supplied. A purchase order is also required to be submitted with the order form.

TraSiCAD has a single machine licence; however, it can be installed on any number of personal computers and transferred as required with a simple transfer process (refer to Chapter 3 - Licensing, found in the TraSiCAD User Manual (PDF, 1.43 MB)).

TraSiCAD is licensed annually and it is recommended that users keep track of their renewal date. Please allow up to 4 weeks for renewal to take place.

TraSiCAD version 2.9.2 accommodates specific changes to fonts, sign border widths and corner radii made by Australian Standards and specified in AS1743:2018 Road signs - Specifications and AS1744:2015 Standard alphabets for road signs.

Version 2.9.2 of TraSiCAD includes the following enhancements:

1. The acceptance of the newly adopted AS1744 fonts (FHWA Series 2000). FHWA Series 2000 fonts must be used for traffic sign design.

Note: As with all previous versions of TraSiCAD, the FHWA Series 2000 fonts are not included with the TraSiCAD installation. The fonts may be sourced from the distributor Osburn Associates (https://www.osburns.com/mutcd-font-package).

2. An option to select one of two new AS1743:2018 clearance rule sets controlling:

• sign face element to element clearances
• sign corner radius selection
• sign edge border selection

This enables designers to specifically design a sign with either:

• Light legend on dark background sign as per Table 4.2 and Table 4.3 in AS1743:2018 (select ruleset AS1743-2018-Light_on_Dark.rls)
• Dark legend on a light background as per Table 4.1 in AS1743:2018 (select ruleset AS1743-2016-Dark_on_Light.rls).

To select the required ruleset click on 'Options' in the 'Tools' category of the TraSiCAD toolbar. Refer also to the TraSiCAD User Manual (PDF, 1.43 MB).

3. The length of the legend now complies with AS1744:2015.

4. Symbol files have been updated.

New installation

1. Download the Install_TraSiCAD_v2.920.exe (EXE, 5.33 MB) file to a temporary directory.
2. An Administrator should install TraSiCAD on a local drive by running 'Install_TraSiCAD_v2.920.exe" from the previously created temporary directory. A default program group "Trasicad" will be created in C:\Program Files (x86)\TMR\Trasicad.
3. This will then install the new version 2.9.2 containing all signs and symbols.
4. The Administrator should run the newly installed TraSiCAD software first and then exit the program and log off.
5. The user should log in with their user account and run TraSiCAD. The program will generate a serial number which should be emailed to TrafficEngineering.support@tmr.qld.gov.au to receive an unlock code.

TraSiCAD Upgrade installation

1. Download the Install_TraSiCAD_v2.920.exe (EXE, 5.33 MB) file to a temporary directory.
2. To install TraSiCAD, run "Install_TraSiCAD_v2.920.exe" from the previously created temporary directory. The program will overwrite the old TraSiCAD version. TraSiCAD will be created in C:\Program Files (x86)\TMR\Trasicad.
3. TraSiCAD will then be installed containing all signs and symbols.
4. Version 2.9.2 can be installed directly over a currently installed version without affecting licensed conditions or validity.