NAM Traffic Simulator and Data View Support Thread

[Phillyphantom 0]

Hi, I am very new to NAM and the traffic simulator. I recently tried to adjust some number sin the simulator. I changed the cost of the subway monthly cost from 1.80 and hit save. I then loaded the game the monthly cost stills says 1.80 when I go to build a subway. What am I doing wrong?

[z1 566]

Unfortunately, it is not practical to change the in-game display of the monthly costs of the networks when you change them using the Traffic Simulator Configuration Tool. However, the amount shown in the Traffic Simulator Configuration Tool is the actual amount being charged in the game.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

This is a traffic display issue. I would like to suggest that the "stamp" on an RTMT station be reduced in size. They really clutter up the display. Perhaps just a symbol that could be expanded if the mouse enters it.

[Phillyphantom 0]

Unfortunately, it is not practical to change the in-game display of the monthly costs of the networks when you change them using the Traffic Simulator Configuration Tool. However, the amount shown in the Traffic Simulator Configuration Tool is the actual amount being charged in the game.

Oh ok, thanks for the reply.

[Kdub 0]

I put the newest version of NAM in and now for some reason when i enter a city. The power and water usage shoot straight up. And one cities water graph showed I was fine but the water was getting scarce on the map. What did I do wrong?

[z1 566]

This is the wrong thread for your question; the Data Views mentioned in the title refer to the new NAM data views related to traffic. You should post your question in the NAM General Discussion and Support Thread - 2nd Edition.

[Nonthawat 0]

thanks

[BlackFrancis 4]

Hello.

 

It seems I'm the first person to post here in a long time.  I think I may have a problem with the Traffic Simulator.  I'm new to the game again after a few years off, and have created a test city that is growing rapidly.  Roads suddenly became jammed. 

 

I exited the game and went to the traffic tool.  I read about.  Then I changed some settings.  My roads should have a capacity of 12,000, but in the game they are still congested with far fewer people on them.  One intersection in particular is strange so I guess I will focus on that.

 

First, here is a picture of the paths.  I do not know what it means but I will look it up soon:  https://i.imgur.com/8atYYZB.jpg

 

Here is a picture with the data view: https://i.imgur.com/dD9jYWl.jpg

 

Querying the road with the game I have 8543 cars and 8 buses using that road.  But here is a screen shot of what the capacities should be in the traffic simulator tool:

 

https://i.imgur.com/LdhWl0e.png

 

Obviously I could build a better transportation network...there's plenty of room and plenty of options.  But it's hard to plan without knowing what the capacity is.  I'm sure I've done something wrong but I have no idea what.

 

Thanks

[z1 566]

Actually, all the data you present are consistent.  You say that when you query the road, it has 8543 cars.  So you must be using the Route Query Tool to do this.  However, this tool gives traffic volume only for a specific commute period, by default the morning commute.  If you look at the legend box at the upper right of your screen, you'll see that you can choose between morning commute and evening commute.  To get the total day's commute you have to add the two together.  Since most Sims generally take the same route to and from work, your total daily volume on this route is probably about 17,000 cars.  The road capacity figures and the congestion view that you display are based on the total daily volume.  So if the road capacity is 12,000 and your total daily volume is around 17,000, then yes, your road is congested, and it is proper that it shows up in yellow.

 

Note that the Traffic Volume Data View shows traffic by commute period (though not necessarily in sync with the Route Query Tool - you have to set the periods separately).  If you look at this data view, you see that the numbers shown for full capacity are half the stated capacity numbers.  Again, the reason for this is that this view shows only a single commute period - just like the Route Query Tool.

[BlackFrancis 4]

Actually, all the data you present are consistent.  You say that when you query the road, it has 8543 cars.  So you must be using the Route Query Tool to do this.  However, this tool gives traffic volume only for a specific commute period, by default the morning commute.  If you look at the legend box at the upper right of your screen, you'll see that you can choose between morning commute and evening commute.  To get the total day's commute you have to add the two together.  Since most Sims generally take the same route to and from work, your total daily volume on this route is probably about 17,000 cars.  The road capacity figures and the congestion view that you display are based on the total daily volume.  So if the road capacity is 12,000 and your total daily volume is around 17,000, then yes, your road is congested, and it is proper that it shows up in yellow.

 

Note that the Traffic Volume Data View shows traffic by commute period (though not necessarily in sync with the Route Query Tool - you have to set the periods separately).  If you look at this data view, you see that the numbers shown for full capacity are half the stated capacity numbers.  Again, the reason for this is that this view shows only a single commute period - just like the Route Query Tool.

 

Ah, okay.  I think I read that somewhere but I guess it didn't quite register.  That makes sense, then.  Thank you very much for your  time!

[deathtopumpkins 43]

It appears I'm the only one having these issues, but....

 

I created a custom traffic simulator after NAM 31 that I was quite fond of. Then when I reinstalled the NAM with version 31.1 I checked the option in the installer to "keep my existing traffic sim". Since then, while I've been playing I began to notice no one was using my RHWs, and if even a single car did they showed as congested (red). From this and the behavior of sims I determined that for some reason they had a capacity of 0. So I went to go look at my traffic sim, only to find that there was no longer one in my plugins! It turns out when I installed 31.1 and checked "keep my existing traffic sim", the installer actually DELETED my traffic sim and didn't install one at all.

 

So I thought "okay, I'll just reinstall the NAM, and select the option to only install a new traffic sim!". In the installer I selected "Traffic Simulator Only". When I clicked next a popup said "You currently have a version of the NAM installed. Would you like to keep your current version? If so, select 'Yes', and you can make changes to your traffic simulator while keeping your current version of the NAM." So I clicked Yes. Then when the installer ran, I saw it go through and delete my entire NAM installation. Sure enough, I pulled up my plugins folder, and my entire NAM installation was gone, apart from the documentation, RAM, cosmetic addons, additional bridges, and diagonal streets folders, plus a few random files. This includes all of the extra custom stuff I had in my NAM folder (i.e. most other cosmetic mods and such that I had that aren't included in the NAM package).

 

So, tl;dr: Selecting the option to keep your existing traffic simulator actually deletes it, and then the option to install just a traffic simulator and keep your NAM actually deletes your entire NAM.

 

This is not okay. I've now had to reinstall the NAM several times, and I'm sure somewhere along the way I've changed some option that is going to mess up my existing cities, and I've spent hours just trying to figure out why. Plus I no longer have my preferred custom traffic sim.

 If you're going to include an option to keep your existing version of something, why on earth would you have the installer DELETE said thing?

 

 

 

A proper readme for the TSCT would also be kinda nice.

[z1 566]

I created a custom traffic simulator after NAM 31 that I was quite fond of. Then when I reinstalled the NAM with version 31.1 I checked the option in the installer to "keep my existing traffic sim". Since then, while I've been playing I began to notice no one was using my RHWs, and if even a single car did they showed as congested (red). From this and the behavior of sims I determined that for some reason they had a capacity of 0. So I went to go look at my traffic sim, only to find that there was no longer one in my plugins! It turns out when I installed 31.1 and checked "keep my existing traffic sim", the installer actually DELETED my traffic sim and didn't install one at all.

 

I just checked this out, and following the steps you described, I got the same results you did.  This feature used to work (it's been in the installer for years); there's obviously been a regression here.  This will definitely be fixed for NAM 31.2.

 

So I thought "okay, I'll just reinstall the NAM, and select the option to only install a new traffic sim!". In the installer I selected "Traffic Simulator Only". When I clicked next a popup said "You currently have a version of the NAM installed. Would you like to keep your current version? If so, select 'Yes', and you can make changes to your traffic simulator while keeping your current version of the NAM." So I clicked Yes. Then when the installer ran, I saw it go through and delete my entire NAM installation. Sure enough, I pulled up my plugins folder, and my entire NAM installation was gone, apart from the documentation, RAM, cosmetic addons, additional bridges, and diagonal streets folders, plus a few random files.

This I find very puzzling.  I continued your steps, starting from the place where I had no traffic simulator, and followed your steps exactly.  I came to the Components page, selected a traffic simulator, and then continued the installation.  My original NAM installation was left intact, and the traffic simulator I selected was installed.

 

From your description, it sounds like you never reached the Components page - that the deletion just started after you answered the question.  Is that what happened?  This is what is supposed to happen if you select "No" instead of "Yes".  Is it possible that you did this by accident?

 

Obviously, it's a serious bug if the installer deletes your NAM installation when you don't want it to.  But right now, I can't make that happen, nor can I see in the code how that could happen.  Could you please do the following for me?  First, copy your main NAM folder and the z___NAM folder to a safe place somewhere outside your Plugins folders.  Next, in your main NAM folder, delete the traffic simulator and the Volume Data View File.  Then rerun the installer, select "Traffic Simulator Only", and answer "Yes" to the question, "Would you like to keep your current version?"  Let me know if it still deletes the current version, and we'll work from there.

 

A proper readme for the TSCT would also be kinda nice.

 

There is a full manual that comes with the TSCT.  It can be found under the "Help" menu item.

 

I'm really sorry for all your troubles, and we'll try to get everything fixed as soon as possible.

[deathtopumpkins 43]

Thanks, I wouldn't want this to happen to anyone else. I've sorted everything out and have my game running fine with a new custom traffic sim in it, but it was a lot of trouble that I'm sure would discourage someone less determined.

 

This I find very puzzling.  I continued your steps, starting from the place where I had no traffic simulator, and followed your steps exactly.  I came to the Components page, selected a traffic simulator, and then continued the installation.  My original NAM installation was left intact, and the traffic simulator I selected was installed.

 

From your description, it sounds like you never reached the Components page - that the deletion just started after you answered the question.  Is that what happened?  This is what is supposed to happen if you select "No" instead of "Yes".  Is it possible that you did this by accident?

 

Obviously, it's a serious bug if the installer deletes your NAM installation when you don't want it to.  But right now, I can't make that happen, nor can I see in the code how that could happen.  Could you please do the following for me?  First, copy your main NAM folder and the z___NAM folder to a safe place somewhere outside your Plugins folders.  Next, in your main NAM folder, delete the traffic simulator and the Volume Data View File.  Then rerun the installer, select "Traffic Simulator Only", and answer "Yes" to the question, "Would you like to keep your current version?"  Let me know if it still deletes the current version, and we'll work from there.

 

I selected "Yes", then it took me to the components page, where I verified that only the relevant files were checked, then hit next. After selecting next it began the installation process, and the log it displays clearly showed it deleting all my files.

 

I have the game running right now, so I can't test it again at the moment, but later tonight after I quit or it crashes I will certainly test that out.

 

There is a full manual that comes with the TSCT.  It can be found under the "Help" menu item.

 

I'm really sorry for all your troubles, and we'll try to get everything fixed as soon as possible.

 

 

Derp! I never even noticed the "Help" menu button in the TSCT! I was looking with the rest of the NAM Documentation, and at the readme html file that pops up when you install the TSCT. I can't believe I didn't think to look in the Help menu! 

 

Thank you trying to sort this out!

[z1 566]

I selected "Yes", then it took me to the components page, where I verified that only the relevant files were checked, then hit next. After selecting next it began the installation process, and the log it displays clearly showed it deleting all my files.

 

That's what it should do, so it sounds like you definitely selected "Yes", as you said.  The installer always starts out by deleting all your files, no matter what options you select.  It then does a clean install, using the previously selected options.  So the log always shows all the file deletions, but this should be followed by a whole series of file extractions.

 

The installer only deletes known NAM subfolders.  If you have custom content you would like to put in the NAM folder, if you put it in its own folder, the installer won't touch it.  This has been added to the NAM 31.2 documentation.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

This really is an interesting beta test bed, eh?  World-wide participation, and the responses have been very quick and helpful.  Thanks to all, NAM team.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

For the first time ever I just used the TSCT to adjust my traffic simulator.  I was running into serious overloads in my network, especially the subways, so I upped the capacity of the whole net.  It works very well indeed.

 

Couple of little things need fixing:

 

In the distribution, and scripts or bat files need to have execute permission.  Simply fix the files permissions.

 

The frame of the TSCT isn't big enough and it is not adjustable.  Some stuff runs off on the right.  This frame should adjust to keep all of the text and controls in view.  This needs to be fed back to the programmer of the window.  Simplest solution is to set it adjustable.  This is a single check-box in the window attributes.  You really need to allow for people like me who need to use larger fonts.  NVM - fixed this by changing the program to Linux default (Cross).

 

Note of interest:

 

I now have this tool working as a command on my system that can be invoked from the console.  I don't have it working with the GUI as yet, but it is just a matter of generating a GUI handle to call the script.  Here is the script:

 

#/bin/bash
cd ".wine/drive_c/Program Files (x86)"
cd Traff*
java -jar TSCT.jar

 

And yes, I realize I could have got to this directory in one step, but this is clearer considering the huge name the final directory has.
 

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Installed NAM 32 Beta 1 today, but this may have been a problem before.

 

I set my limits higher, and the new traffic display handles that well, but somebody forgot to tell the traffic advisor.  He seems to have hard coded numerical limits and $%&^! about tiles that are showing less than 100% load.  Oh, well, I can just ignore him even more than I normally do.

 

Other than that, nothing in the last couple of hours of play.  Got to fix the compiler script, but that's covered in a post over at SC4D.  Really expecting a full Java compiler is a little much for most installations, don't you think?  Most people only load the run time.

[z1 566]

I set my limits higher, and the new traffic display handles that well, but somebody forgot to tell the traffic advisor.  He seems to have hard coded numerical limits and $%&^! about tiles that are showing less than 100% load.  Oh, well, I can just ignore him even more than I normally do.

Most likely, you have one or more intersections with red tiles around them. Just a single one of those is enough to set him off.

BTW, the TSCT is now resizable.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Thanks.  Well, I continue to test with the new beta.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

I haven't had a chance yet to see if I can fix the compiler problem, but I have an aspect of the Simulator that bothers me.

 

Running 32pr1.

 

When a switch is made to any of the underground modes, the delay in large cities especially, is ridiculous.  This reminds me of a problem my company had with a PL/1 compiler that was converted from a virtual system to a real system in days about 50 years ago.  It turned out that the compiler was simulating (unnecessarily), a feature of the original host operating system that was irrelevant to the task and caused the compiler, in effect, to verify each and every instruction in the code being executed through a hardware mechanism that no longer existed on the new host.  In effect, it was looking up it's own ability to process computer instructions.  Has anyone looked at this delay with the idea in mind that all the delay executing your scripts during a switch to subway/subway items mode may need an overview examination with respect to how things are being called?  Is it possible that a call is being made for each and every line of the script?  If so, what can be done about it?

 

This whole thing has the flavour of too many indirect calls.

 

{In the compiler conversion, the programmers took a wrong-headed view that they had to emulate the associative memory of the virtual machine to maintain a security system that was no longer present.}

[jdenm8 362]

There are no Scripts in the NAM because we can't get the game to load them, run them and keep them in memory for any length of time. What we've been able to develop so far is completely unloaded before the actual game component of the program starts.

 

It's because all of the props have to be reloaded from non-volatile memory. Removing the Props in Zone View component of the NAM removes the pause.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Just did that with TSCT and not much improvement if any.  What did I miss?

[z1 566]

The delay is not caused by the props; it is caused by the large controller size and the size of your Plugins file.  As I believe you are running the full controller, you get the maximum delay.  When you are able to trim your controller, the delay will decrease substantially.

 

DatPacking also reduces the delay substantially.  The two methods address different parts of the delay.

 

If you turn off "Use new Subway Building View" in the TSCT, you will get the original Maxis view, which is not based on the Zones view, and therefore does not have this delay for this view..

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

I was hoping that just turn off the props display would help but it didn't.  I'll try the other approach with TSCT (which runs under Linux when you really get the scripts right.).

[Raymond7cn 6,772]

Hello everyone, Recently I installed the Census Repository Facility and the Census Repository Vault, version 3 from https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=6095.0, During I play the SimCity, I just found out the commute time data view had some abnormal issues, It just increased the value all of a sudden, After a while, got back to normal, And then starting over, and over.

Can anybody help me about that issue, Is this mod not compatible with the NAM's Graph Plot Scale or some other problem, By the way, I followed the mod's instruction and installed the corresponding file(medium). Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

-- Raymond

[rsc204 21,808]

On 12/12/2019 at 8:23 AM, Raymond7cn said:

During I play the SimCity, I just found out the commute time data view had some abnormal issues, It just increased the value all of a sudden, After a while, got back to normal, And then starting over, and over.

This feature of the game doesn't seem to work very well. I'm pretty certain that it's not affected by the Census Repository anyhow, since it doesn't include anything that should affect the NAM. It's pretty much just a Ploppable Lot with a very useful Query, full of helpful data.

[Raymond7cn 6,772]

Thank you for your response Robin, it's not a very big problem, since it's just abnormal display of the data view but the function is normality. I'm still took the time to learn such as modeling for now. So if there is a chance to deal with that, I will post my solution here, Thank you very much for your tips.

-- Raymond

[tails2489 350]

Hi All, I was looking for the NAM Traffic Simulator but only found an empty folder called Traffic Simulator Configuration Tool. So I found some insructions on how to install it by installing NAM again but only selecting the Tool. I got this pop up, and was wondering since I have NAM 34 and I am installing the tool associated with NAM 36 does that have any impact on the game? Is this tool compatible with my version of NAM?

 

Should I just update my entire NAM? I have only ever used version 34 and am very comfortable with it. Will upgraded change anything in my existing cities and/or will features I am use to using be no longer available?

[jeffryfisher 2,176]

The answer depends on whether you need support. If you're happy at NAM-34, then be happy. If you ever want to fix something, then first install the latest recommended version, and then reproduce the error, carefully recording the steps so that a stranger can cause the same error in his debugging instance.

 

[tails2489 350]

I am very happy with NAM 34. After years and years of playing vanilla it was one of the first MODs I installed and is the only version I've ever played with. But I wanted to take a stab at tweaking the settings in the Traffic Simulator but it doesn't seem to be anywhere on my computer so I was trying to add it without changing my version of NAM.

  Edited June 4, 2020 by tails2489