Create a study

When creating a TMC in iNode, you’ll first configure the core parameters that define what data is included and how results are generated. This step allows you to write your study name, select a vehicle type, distance units, and the map framework used to represent the road network. These selections ensure your study is tailored to the specific traffic characteristics, analysis goals, and geographic context you want to evaluate.

To start a new study:

• Click on Create
• Write the name of your study under Study Name

Vehicle types

When setting up a traffic study in iNode, you will be asked to choose the vehicle type(s) to include in your analysis. The options are:

• Passenger: GPS location data from non-professional, regular drivers.
• Fleet: GPS location data from professional fleet vehicles, including trucks of different sizes and weights, urban delivery vehicles, and leasing passenger cars. No vehicle type distinction is made within the “Fleet” data category.

Distance Unit

You can select either kilometers or miles to display distances when choosing road segments or defining an area on the map before starting your study.

Map Selection

Orbis vs. Genesis Map Types in iNode

iNode uses TomTom maps as the underlying road network for analysis. As TomTom upgrades its global map platform from the legacy Genesis map to the newer Orbis map, both options are available in iNode during this transition period.

Please select your preferred map type depending on your needs. Once the transition is complete, iNode will move fully to Orbis.

Orbis (Future default map)

Orbis is TomTom’s next-generation map and offers fresher updates, improved coverage, and more detailed road attributes. It brings together open map data and TomTom’s proprietary sources, including contributions from the Overture Maps Foundation, OpenStreetMap, partner data, and sensor-derived observations.

Orbis is best suited for new studies and environments where the road network changes frequently. It will become the default map type in iNode.

Genesis (Current default map)

Genesis is the long-standing map many users are already familiar with. Built primarily on proprietary and partner data, it remains fully supported during the transition and is useful when you need results that align closely with historical analyses or previously delivered outputs.

What this means for your analysis

Using Orbis can improve how well traffic data aligns with the real-world road network, especially for newer roads, updated geometry, or complex intersections. Genesis, on the other hand, helps ensure continuity when comparing against older studies. During the transition, the choice gives you control over consistency versus freshness.

Available regions for your study creation

The highlighted area(s) on the map represent the available regions to you for your study creation, which is determined and preset by your account access. They can range from a single area/segment, to a city/state, or a country (countries).

Four ways of creating a study

1. Selecting a route
2. Drawing a polygon
3. Using the search bar
4. Upload a file

Before you begin to select your area:

Road Name:

All names must follow the following naming criteria: (Name of the road) | (EB|NB|SB|WB) | (Right Turn|Left Turn|Through). Any other name will result in giving you the following error:

Study Limitation:

A TMC study has a limitation of 20 movements

1. Route Selection

The Route selection tool allows you to draw a custom route on the map

To use this tool:

• Click on Add New on the left side of the map.
• Select the Route selection tool in the top-left corner of the map.

• Enter the name of the area.

• Once you have selected all your directions, click on accept

2. Draw a polygon

The Polygon selection tool allows you to draw a custom polygon on the map.

To use this tool:

• Click on Add New on the left side of the map.
• Select the Polygon selection tool in the top-left corner of the map.

• Draw a polygon on the map by clicking on your starting point, then continue to add points, creating a border for your area. Your last point should be first point closing off the polygon.
• Once you have drawn your area, the names of the various directions will show up. You also have the option to change the same, but remember the name must be within the bounds of the naming criteria

• The selected area will automatically be accepted

3. Use the search bar

You can use the search bar to quickly find the location where you want to define your study area. You can search by address, city or town name, postal/ZIP code, or other place names. The map will zoom to the selected location, allowing you to draw your study boundary.

For example, searching for an FSA (the first part of a Canadian postal code), such as K1G, will display the polygon associated with that FSA, which you can use as your study area.

To do this:

• Add a new area.
• Enter the name of the study area.
• Search for the desired location or FSA in the search bar.

4. Upload a file

You can upload an area(s) of interest in four different file formats:

• Shapefile
• GeoJSON
• KML
• ZIP (Shapefile)

To upload a file:

• Click on the Upload button in the top-right corner of the map.
• Select a file format.
• Locate the file on your device and upload it.

Note: If you have multiple areas to upload, they must be consolidated in one file.

Table of contents

• Create a study
• Vehicle types
• Distance Unit
• Map Selection
• Orbis vs. Genesis Map Types in iNode
• Orbis (Future default map)
• Genesis (Current default map)
• What this means for your analysis
• Available regions for your study creation
• Four ways of creating a study
• Before you begin to select your area:
• 1. Route Selection
• 2. Draw a polygon
• 3. Use the search bar
• 4. Upload a file