Autodesk Inc. announced it has signed a series of agreements with long-time partner, ViaNova Systems AS, a provider of transportation design and planning software, to provide best-of-breed transportation solutions for road and railway design. These solutions will allow transportation agencies to create, manage and share secure road and rail design data with team members and organizations involved throughout the life of the transportation project, enabling them to make informed, cost-effective decisions that ultimately save time and expense.

Under the expanded relationship, Autodesk will offer ViaNova's Novapoint software and associated modules for road and highway design. The software is built on Autodesk Map 3D 2005, a powerful 2D and 3D precision mapping and GIS analysis tool to create, maintain, and produce maps; and to integrate data from various sources and formats, perform data analysis, and produce thematic maps. The software allows user to collect and incorporate highly precise GIS and design data, such as survey grade terrain model information, and import and export topographic data without losing accuracy or precision. As a first stage of the relationship, the software will be offered exclusively in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and will later be rolled out in other geographies.