Getting Started with the CAT Platform

This guide will help you create an account, understand the platform, and take your first steps with the CAT Platform.

Creating Your Account

Step 1: Navigate to the Platform

  1. Go to the CAT Platform website
  2. You'll see the homepage with information about the platform
  3. Click "Sign In" or the platform logo to access the login page

Step 2: Sign Up

  1. On the login page, click the "Signup" tab
  2. Fill in the required information:
    • Email: Your work email address
    • Password: Create a secure password (minimum 6 characters)
    • Confirm Password: Re-enter your password
    • First Name: Your first name
    • Last Name: Your last name
    • Affiliation: Your organization (e.g., "Metropolitan Planning Organization", "State DOT")
    • User Type: Select your role (e.g., "Transportation Analyst", "Air Quality Analyst")
  3. Click "Signup"

Note: The signup process may take a few moments as the system creates your account. You'll see a progress message during this time.

Step 3: Log In

  1. After successful signup, you'll be automatically switched to the "Login" tab
  2. Enter your email and password
  3. Click "Login"
  4. You'll be taken to the Welcome page

Understanding Your Subscription

When you first create an account, you'll have a Free subscription tier. This includes:

  • Limited number of orders per month (typically 5)
  • Access to all visualization and analysis tools
  • Ability to download your order results
  • Access to the CAT Grand Database for viewing public data

To see subscription options and upgrade:

  • Navigate to "Plans & Pricing" in the sidebar (under INFO section)
  • Or visit your Account page to see your current subscription

Main Interface

After logging in, you'll see:

  • Sidebar (Left): Navigation menu organized into sections:
    • MENU: Main features (Welcome, Visualizer, Calculator, Reporter, View Orders, New Order)
    • TOOLS: Additional tools (Data Hub, Aggregator, Translators)
    • LEARN: Documentation and system status
    • INFO: Plans, terms, and additional information
  • Top Navigation Bar: Logo, CAT branding, and Account link
  • Main Content Area: Changes based on what you select from the sidebar

Welcome Page

When you first log in, you'll see the Welcome page with three main sections:

  1. Explore Your Data

    • Visualizer: Interactive charts and maps
    • Calculator: Scenario analysis
    • Data Hub: Bulk downloads

  2. Customize Your Scenarios

    • New Order: Create emissions modeling orders
    • View Orders: Manage your existing orders

  3. Share & Report

    • Share orders with colleagues
    • Reporter: Generate Word document reports
    • Account: Manage verification status

Key Pages Overview

View Orders

  • See all your submitted orders in a table
  • Check order status (processing, ready, etc.)
  • Download results
  • View order details

New Order

  • Submit new emissions modeling requests
  • Select county and year
  • Optionally upload custom MOVES input files

Visualizer

  • Interactive charts and maps
  • Compare different scenarios
  • Explore emissions data visually

Calculator

  • Adjust activity measures (VMT, vehicles, etc.)
  • See how emissions change in real-time
  • Compare baseline vs. adjusted scenarios

Reporter

  • Generate professional Word document reports
  • Customize charts and data presentation
  • Download ready-to-use reports

Your First Order

Ready to create your first emissions modeling order? Here's a quick overview:

  1. Navigate to New Order: Click "New Order" in the sidebar (MENU section)
  2. Select Geographic Area:
    • Choose by county name or FIPS code
    • Example: "Tompkins County, NY" or FIPS code "36109"
  3. Select Year: Choose the year you want to model (e.g., 2025)
  4. Optional: Upload Files: If you have custom MOVES input files, you can upload them
  5. Submit: Click "Submit Order"
  6. Wait for Processing: Orders typically take 5-10 minutes to process
  7. View Results: Go to "View Orders" to see your order status and download results

For detailed instructions, see Creating Orders.

Understanding Order Status

When you view your orders, you'll see different status messages:

  • Processing: Your order is being calculated (usually 5-10 minutes)
  • Ready: Your order is complete and data is available for download
  • Error: Something went wrong - check order details or contact support

Tips for New Users

  1. Start Simple: Create your first order without custom files to see how the system works
  2. Explore Visualizations: Once you have an order ready, try the Visualizer to see your data
  3. Check the Calculator: Use the Calculator to see how emissions change with different activity levels
  4. Generate a Report: Try the Reporter to create a professional document from your data
  5. Review Your Subscription: Check your account page to understand your order limits

Common First Steps

  1. ✅ Create your account (you're here!)
  2. ✅ Log in and explore the Welcome page
  3. 📋 Create your first order (see Creating Orders)
  4. 👀 View your order status (see Viewing Orders)
  5. 📊 Visualize your data (see Visualizer Guide)
  6. 📄 Generate a report (see Reporter Guide)

Next Steps

Getting Help

Ready to create your first order? See Creating Orders for step-by-step instructions.