Show us Your Interchanges!

[Patricius Maximus 236]

@Patricius Maximus: Most of my freeway and interchange designs are based upon what is found in the Pacific Northwest in the United States, specifically Seattle and Portland. I often use the term "Arterial" to mean both surface-level boulevards and expressways (that may or may not have occasional traffic signals). Seattle has many of these "boulevard-expressway hybrids" (for want of a better term). I have pictures through out this thread and in my CJ.

That's fine if you use different terminology than I do, and it's part of what makes Simtropolis great. For the record, though, I use the MUTCD definiton of expressway and freeway. Wikipedia sums it up as follows:

In the United States, an expressway is defined by the federal government’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices as a divided highway with partial control of access.^[18] In contrast, a freeway is defined as a divided highway with full control of access.^[19] The difference between partial and full access control is that expressways may have a limited number of driveways and at-grade intersections (thus making them a form of high-speed arterial road), while access to freeways is allowed only at grade-separated interchanges. Expressways under this definition do not conform to interstate highway standards (which ban all driveways and at-grade intersections) and are therefore usually numbered as state highways or U.S. highways.

Although the delineation between an arterial and an expressway can be fuzzy, in Simcity 4 and in real-life I define an expressway as not having many driveways (service roads are a good indicator) and operating at higher speed than an arterial but at a lower speed than a freeway (usually 55-65 mph, in contrast to the 30-50 that's typical for arterials). Arterials typically serve downtown areas, have many intersections often with traffic lights, and permit direct access of all businesses and houses along its path.

Further, I see myself spending so much time because I am obsessive-compulsive in some occasions. The grades must be smooth, all smooth curves (even in urban settings), complete lane markings and signage, etc.

I see. The result are what counts, and if that attitude gets you great results I'd strongly encourage you to continue with it.

Elevated cloverleaf - hey whats the timeframe on the next RHW???

There is no definite timespan. The NAM team works as much as they can on it and they do not wish to be pressured or disappoint people when they cannot conform to a certain release date. They also have a streak where they like to surprise people. It has been said, though, that the next RHW version will not be coming out anytime in the next month. You can read all about what they're planning for the next RHW here. It's laid out quite nicely and I think you'll be interested. I know I was when I read it .

[estonianmanAlt 2]

Elevated cloverleaf - hey whats the timeframe on the next RHW???

The next RHW will be available when it's ready. It's already gone through some alpha builds, but additional content still needs to be added and tested.

Your cloverleaf looks nice, but it has considerably bad weaving. Extending the loops a few extra tiles will create more weave room so cars have more space to get on and off the loops.

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A tight, hillside interchange. Click for full resolution

Much obliged. Just in a hurry to get my hands on the new 7.5 overpasses !!!! Your team has turned a game I would have stopped playing years ago into a hobby - thanks.

I am curious though - and I have read through the RHW development thread - what the overall goal is with the next RHW. Something about expanding the RUL code? Is it about stability or features?

Gracias!

PS a partial cloverleaf solves the weaving problems - another interchange in a neighboring town.

[Haljackey 17,270]

Basic Diamond... haven't built one of these in a long, long time:

[Zodicus 34]

I did hear that September is the NAM's traditional birthday and that they might try to time the release around that.

Think again.

Since I'm directly involved, I can give you this: We're anticipating about 20 alpha builds, and we're (still) at the third right now. In other words, it definitely ain't September.

Only on 3? Hmmmm, I'd say next summer at the earliest. I do a bit of coding myself (C# C++ .net (don't laugh) so I know how it goes. Look's like you guys got your work cut out for you. Gonna be one hell of a build when it's all said and done though!

[Ganaram Inukshuk 906]

I do a bit of coding myself (C# C++ .net (don't laugh) so I know how it goes.

Except we don't use C# or C++ or .NET...

  Edited August 27, 2012 by Ganaram Inukshuk  

[Zodicus 34]

Like I said don't laugh - newbies use that stuff

[MandelSoft 2,769]

Time for me to go a bit wacky...

And there's a reason for the wierd zig-zag ramp. I tried to prevent weaving; there's a diamond interchange further left.

Best,

Maarten

[psander5 195]

Nice and curvy The FARHW pieces really add some interest to it and make it look really comfortable in its surroundings.

It's been a while since I posted any content around here, but I recently started playing again, and lurking in the forums. Here's a pair of interchanges from me...

I built the bridge system first to provide access for the riverside suburbs that will fill this tile, but I forgot that a major arterial road was coming through here so I had to squeeze it in to the side as an afterthought

[Higu 52]

Mines a bit simple, but it's effective nonetheless

[MandelSoft 2,769]

^^ I see you still have the old RHW v3.0 installed there...

[ee99 150]

A very simple interchange...

[westy177 203]

Here's a large generic collector freeway cloverleaf.

[Angrymidget134 0]

These are some wicked looking interchanges. I'm loving them! Little complex for me though....

[zimmie 521]

I am by no means a highway/interchange buff and really just getting my feet wet with the RHW finally after having it installed forever. So with that in mind I have been experimenting without really knowing what would be 'real world realistic' or not. For right now, mainly seeing what is possible with the RHW. It truely is incredible.

Todays work:

[MandelSoft 2,769]

Where did I see this interchange type before...

It looks slightly different, but for the better, and I really love this one! Nice work, Zimmie!

[data7 98]

Hey everybody!

I think I've made something that I'd like to share with You.

Due to my miscalculation I couldn't make every curve smooth - shame on me ;p

Anyway, I'm looking for noise-reduction walls on stex, but i can't find any... someone will help maybe?

@Mandelsoft - Your intercharge looks awsome!

[Zodicus 34]

I like these walls. They aren't the curvey ones like a lot of what you see in some CJ's but still very good.

[Ded 30]

Hey everybody! I think I've made something that I'd like to share with You.

Due to my miscalculation I couldn't make every curve smooth - shame on me ;p Anyway, I'm looking for noise-reduction walls on stex, but i can't find any... someone will help maybe? @Mandelsoft - Your intercharge looks awsome!

Oh dear, I wouldn't fancy using that roundabout at peak period! I imagine the delays there would be maddening!

[zimmie 521]

Where did I see this interchange type before...

It looks slightly different, but for the better, and I really love this one! Nice work, Zimmie!

Thanks Mandelsoft. Yes, I have seen your's before along with many other of your creations so subconciously I am sure that is where I got my inspiration from. But I didn't set out to create it that way.

The raised section came as an afterthought after realizing I wanted a railyard down in that area which will be an industrial area along side a container seaport. So I will have multiple rail tracks running through there. Also, it connects to a large bridge so I thought why go to ground level for such a short span then back up again. Here is a view to see all that thought process:

One other note, are there not any elevated 6 to elevated 4 transition pieces? I either have to do the tranistion on the ground or use the ramp pieces like here?

[Ganaram Inukshuk 906]

One other note, are there not any elevated 6 to elevated 4 transition pieces? I either have to do the tranistion on the ground or use the ramp pieces like here?

General rule about anything that's elevated is that someone needs to make models for them. No models, no puzzle piece. It's that simple.

[zimmie 521]

I am not complaining nor expecting anything. Beggar's can't be choosers and all that. Just asking if they exist or not. So I take it that's a no.

[Ganaram Inukshuk 906]

For the record, there has never been an elevated width transition.

[Tarkus 6,932]

I think we're all in agreement that they'd be nice to have, though. The elevated stuff is really the "missing piece of the puzzle", but it's been difficult over the years, as the specs for transit models are a lot different beast than building models, and it becomes more glaring simply because the ground-level versions of things have far outpaced elevated developments.

There has been a change of approach with elevated stuff, and without saying too much, I think you're going to like the next release.

-Tarkus

[zimmie 521]

Thanks Tarkus. I am sure I will, I love the last release. It was just a simple question of whether they exist and am I just not finding them in the menu. And if they don't exist I do realize it's not because they haven't been thought of, of course, but that they must be anywhere from very difficult to impossible to create. I am very thankful and impressed with what the NAM team has already created.

[Cartographer29 13]

I've only recently gotten back into SC4 with the extended time being spent away from work due to medical reasons. With this latest revival/foray, I've been trying to get my feet wet with the RHW mod. I tried it before and found it to be too cumbersome if the bulldozer was clicked in the wrong place. However, I'm getting the hang of it.

Here's my first RHW interchange creation. Simple and not too large. The parallel GLR line was an afterthought, something that needed to be built *roughly* through the area anyway. The hill up the highway restricted its location.

Now, the highway heading "down" goes across a bridge and onto the next neighbour. Going "up" it literally climbs a steep hill (hence the extra "truck climbing lanes") and then abruptly ends. Why? Because I already built my downtown there. Brilliant! this will be a more extensive challenge where a Braided Diamond or SPUI might be built. As much as I hate them, I may even go for a SPDI if I really have to.

  Edited August 31, 2012 by Cartographer29  

[Patricius Maximus 236]

I think we're all in agreement that they'd be nice to have, though. The elevated stuff is really the "missing piece of the puzzle", but it's been difficult over the years, as the specs for transit models are a lot different beast than building models, and it becomes more glaring simply because the ground-level versions of things have far outpaced elevated developments.

There has been a change of approach with elevated stuff, and without saying too much, I think you're going to like the next release.

-Tarkus

Change of approach? Hmm....

Thanks Mandelsoft. Yes, I have seen your's before along with many other of your creations so subconciously I am sure that is where I got my inspiration from. But I didn't set out to create it that way.

We all take cues and inspiration from what we see of the work of others. Learning from the greats is a tried and true method for success.

The raised section came as an afterthought after realizing I wanted a railyard down in that area which will be an industrial area along side a container seaport. So I will have multiple rail tracks running through there. Also, it connects to a large bridge so I thought why go to ground level for such a short span then back up again. Here is a view to see all that thought process:

It reminds me of some of the tangled-up creations I build. A mere freeway turns into an elevated section, which then turns into a swirling maze of ramps and different transit networks. Similarily, at one point in time, the simple existence of a stack interchange and a single-point urban interchange in close proximity eventually yielded a sprawling interchange that I'm sure is nightmarish to some of the more skiddish Sims in my region, but makes perfect sense and achieves nothing less than perfection itself.

The usual process after a freeway is constructed in my region is: why not build that rail overpass? Why not build a new arterial and make it fly over the freeway? Then, why not have ramp interfaces with that arterial road? Why not have a rail station? And then why not throw in a tram overpass? Then why not spice it up with some trees? And on and on. Eventually it is a sprawling monster of a transit system.

For the more skiddish Sims, I actually don't comprehend why they would stay in my region at all. In daily life navigating mixing bowls and nightmarish ramps that look like a maniac built them is an inescapable experience. The welcome signs may as well read "non-Roadgeeks need not apply" .

Hey everybody!

I think I've made something that I'd like to share with You.

My recommendation for that is - why not add in a ramp in-between that loop ramp and the roundabout that provides access to that southern overpass? You certainly have room for it, and it would improve the flow of your interchange. Like this:

If I were you I'd also add in a flyover ramp to provide left-turn access between freeways, but if I designed it the interchange would be completely different anyway, with flyover ramps everywhere.

This is a rough layout of your interchange:

And more like how I would have built it:

See the difference?

[Bipin 3,402]

It's been a long while since someone posted Cityscape pictures. Too long:

Think of it as an effective retro-fit for making an old diamond interchange into a 4-way free-flow interchange between two major highways. Hope you enjoy, because there is more to come!

[Wiimeiser 436]

They should build one of those here. And while they're at it, replace the tunnel with a Distributor. Man, why are hyperlinks so out of whack here?

[data7 98]

And more like how I would have built it:

See the difference?

This looks too much complicated for me yet... but not impossible. It's just my laziness, and new region that I'm working on. Thanks to that I don't have much traffic and my custom intercharge works fine by now.

Anyway, maybe in the closest future I'll have to rebuild it, so I appreciate Your design

[MandelSoft 2,769]

It's been a long while since someone posted Cityscape pictures. Too long:

Mind if I contribute?

Here's the Muensterwald Zentralknoten. Unfortunately I don't have the surrounding cityscape ready, but try just to imagine it:

(Close-ups in the Spoiler)

Best,

Maarten