1 AN ASSESSMENT METHOD FOR GIS-T SOFTWARE Antônio Nélson RODRIGUES DA SILVA Associate Professor Department of Transportation, São Carlos School of Engineering University of São Paulo Av. Trabalhador São-carlense, 400 13566-590, São Carlos – SP Brazil Tel: +-55 16 273 9595 Fax: +55 16 273 9601 E-mail: anelson@sc.usp.br Adriana ROSE Coordination Assistant Engefoto Engineering S.A. Rua Senador Roberto Glaser, 99 Jardim Santa Bárbara 81540- 400, Curitiba – PR Brazil Tel: +-55 41 366 3634 Fax: +55 41 266 7444 E-mail: adriana@engefoto.com Daniel Souto RODRIGUES Lecturer Department of Civil Engineering School of Engineering University of Minho Campus of Gualtar 4710-057, Braga – Portugal Tel: +-351 253 604720 Fax: +-351 253 604721 E-mail: dsr@civil.uminho.pt Abstract: The objective of the research work summarized in this paper was to develop a method to assess, concerning its functional and performance characteristics, GIS software applied to transportation planning (the so-called GIS-T packages). Three computer packages were compared with the developed procedure, which focuses on several characteristics: descriptive aspects (e.g., learning time and customization possibilities, among others), basic GIS operational characteristics, advanced GIS features, and transportation planning routines. In order to conduct a more effective analysis of their potential as a transportation planning tool they were all applied for finding a solution of a problem involving the calculation of a simple, straightforward accessibility measure. The results found suggest that all three systems comply with the minimum configuration desired for GIS software. However, only two of them fit in the GIS-T category, since the third one did not supply the main necessary tools to solve the specific transportation problem proposed. Keywords: GIS-T, software assessment, transportation planning software 1. INTRODUCTION Population growth and the consequent increase in the transportation demand are constantly pushing planners and decision-makers for fast and efficient solutions to operational problems. In addition, user’s demands for level of service improvement are also often increasing nowadays. The competing goals of efficiency and effectiveness ask for high standard transportation professionals and for better tools to support the planning process. This need of reliable tools to support decision-makers is certainly one of the reasons that has driven the growing use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) since they have first appeared, back in the 1960s. There is no doubt that the success of any project is largely determined by the use of adequate tools to its development. Only the use of a tool, however, no matter how good or powerful it is, is frequently not enough to solve all problems, specially when it concerns to transportation and urban planning problems. In the case of GIS, similarly to what happens with any other tool, it is of utmost importance the knowledge of characteristics, functions and