When Release 4.0 was sent out in 1989, the variable demand version of the auto assignment was distributed in parallel with the older version featuring fixed demand only. By default, the fixed demand version was installed. In order to access the variable demand version of the auto assignment modules, the user has to rename the E511VAR and E521VAR files in the BIN directory into E511 and E521, in order for them to become accessible from the EMME/2 menu as modules 5.11 and 5.21. Precise instructions how to do this for the different types of systems were given in the release notes.
At the time we felt that the variable demand version of the auto assignment has not been tested long enough to distribute this version alone. However, more than a year has passed since and during this time the variable demand version of the assignment modules have been tested in many applications (both for fixed and variable demand) and have proved to be very reliable. Therefore, we can now safely recommend to all users to switch to the variable demand version and use it for all their auto assignments, even if they do not involve variable demand.
For those of you who are not sure if they have already switched to the new version, just check the primary select of module 5.11 in order to find out. If it does not read
Select: Type of assignment
1= fixed demand auto assignment
2= fixed demand transit assignment
3= variable demand auto assignment
4= end
you still use the old version. In this case, ask your system manager to install the variable demand version of modules 5.11 and 5.21.
A problem which is specific to the 200 zone Intel 286 system
has been reported: It is caused in module 5.11 and only occurs
when using additional turning volumes in the assignment. The effects
of the bug are not immediately visible in module 5.11, but will
lead to a floating point error M6101 when displaying additional or total
turning volumes in modules 6.11 and 6.14. This bug is only present
on the initial Release 4.0 software distribution. Thus, if you use
additional turning volumes and if the \EMME2\BIN\E511.EXE file you
are using currently is dated
before
December 1989, please request an updated version of this module
from INRO.