Real Highway (RHW) - Development and Support

[daniel01 0]

great to have you back Tarkus

daniel01

[SamJam 9]

WB Tarkus, hope you had a nice break! That post-New Year stretch is one mean mutha.

I must echo hoshattack's comment on the MIS curves, although thinking back I didn't exactly know what I was expecting... more gradual curves would really help the overall look. Perhaps expanding the directional transitions to two or three tiles wide (to assist the curve length) would be better for our high-speed traveling Sims.

I really like the appearance of the split/entry pieces though--cutting through the shoulder, even the changeover from white paint to yellow on the left side of the lane. For some reason I hadn't noticed those subtle points before, but they really help to bring it together. The reflectors were a great idea as well... is this something that could bring our highways to life at night?!?

[tommiej 0]

glad your back! really looking forward for your CJ and more amazing work ofcourse!

[sebastin 1]

I've been searching for more information about RHW and tunnels, which are in progress If I assume right? It would be nice too see some pics and hows the tunnel project aheading.

[Tarkus 6,934]

Hi everyone-

Nothing too much new to report, but I thought I'd respond to a couple questions/requests:

SamJam:  I think you and hoshattack are right on this one.  I tried to make the orth-diag transitions as curved as possible, but they are still a little awkward, so to speak.  You've convinced me, so I do inted to include something along those lines in the RHWMIS.  The plans I have in terms of its implementation involve 4 flat curve pieces (0m, 5m, 10m, 15m) and 3 pieces which change elevation in 5m increments (0m-5m, 5m-10m, 10-15m).

sebastin:  Yes, there is an underground RHW project in the works.  It's vaguely similar to the Underground Rail/Road pieces that GoaSkin made for the most recent NAM (v20).  The project is mostly tied in with blahdy's Boston Central Artery/Tunnel Project (better known as the "Big Dig"), which will interface with new underground extensions of the RHW and related Modular Interchange System (MIS).  The final design of the connector can be found here.  The model is currently being LODed as far as I know, and once that process is done, I can start modding it.

Right now, the underground RHW is produced through a series of puzzle pieces, and unfortunately, since there are some issues with getting the game to place puzzle pieces in underground view, as of right now, the actual underground RHW will not be visible (there will likely be some sort of prop on top of it so you at least know where it is).  But it does function from every indication.  Eventually, provided I can figure out everything with the RULs, I may be able to make the underground RHW network draggable, but that will be much further down the road.

And the new underground RHW will not only be compatible with buses and trucks, it will also be U-Drive-It (UDI) compatible and will not conflict with subway lines.  The only real problem with it is that because it is essentially operating at ground view (despite actually being underground), you cannot put any buildings over it.  There will likely be some puzzle pieces to allow your ground-level roads and railroads over it.

Hope that answers your question.

-Tarkus

[Shadow Assassin 336]

Hey, you're doing a good job so far. But can I suggest something? You've got those ugly white lines on the edges of your interchange pieces. I assume you're using a flat texture to skin the puzzle pieces, so what you should do is fill the white background with a greyish colour that's similar to the actual road surface of the RHW. That way, you've eliminated those fugly white outlines.

Otherwise, don't you need railings?

[Tarkus 6,934]

Shadow_Assassin:  Thanks for the compliments, and you're right about the white lines.  I had noticed them too, and thanks for the suggestion on fixing them.  It would be a lot easier than wrangling with the skin alignment in the Reader. 

I'm planning on putting some sort of railing/barriers on the sides, but I'm not sure quite what to use yet, and I'm very much open to suggestions.

-Tarkus

[DFire870 2]

I know here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, they started putting up a fence-like divider on the outskirts of the metroplex (at least on I-35W). It's basically metal poles with strong steel cables attached to them. I can't find any pictures, but they look better than a concrete divider for a rural area.

[japamala 0]

am I right in assuming the underground highways will have parks over them?

[flame1396 9]

why bother with this? use an avenue and whenever you need interchanges join it with a ground highway (if you use shadowassassin's highway mod it looks fine too.)

i'll save the ANT for when they figure out draggable GLR

[Tarkus 6,934]

DFire870:  I think I know what you're talking about, and that's a good suggestion.  That might even work for urban areas as well.

japamala:  That's essentially what I'm planning on.  Or just plain concrete.  Whatever it is, it will probably be something that will at least give a subtle hint as to which direction the Underground RHW is going.

flame1396:  Why bother with this?  There's a number of reasons:

1) It has a higher travel speed than Avenues (by default).  The NAM files put it at the same speed as the default Maxis Highways.

2) It is fully separable.  That is, the two sides of the RHW don't have to be side-by-side all the time, and is generally much easier to use than split/multi-Highways/Avenues.  Here's a few examples:

3)  If you didn't already know, Draggable GLR has been figured out, and it will be included in the next NAM (v21), thanks to memo.  I've actually tested the Draggable GLR myself (I am a NAM Team member), and it has been very reliable in my tests.  It's essentially complete with only a few small details to work out, and with the NAM, we're mainly working out what else we're going to include in v21 before we release it.   

I can tell you that the way it has been designed, the GLR is created by dragging Elevated Rail out from a starter puzzle piece.   It does not overwrite the Elevated Rail network in any way, and the ANT is not used in any way, shape or form as part of the Draggable GLR that will be released as part of NAM v21. 

And that is why we bother.

-Tarkus

Edit:  JCarter, thanks for catching me on that.  There's a couple more reasons to bother here as well:

Wider RHWs--a variety of new, wider RHW-type networks beyond the current 4-lane version (2 lanes per direction) are in the works.  Here's a shot of a 10-lane (5 lanes per direction) version:

And in addition to this, there is also an RHW Modular Interchange System (RHWMIS) that is in the works, which is basically a "toolkit" for custom interchange construction, with thousands of possibilities.  Instead of large, one-size-fits-all  interchanges limited to a 16x16 tile size, everything is broken down into much smaller pieces, mostly 1x1 or 1x2.   Here's an example of what the RHWMIS can do:

 

[JCarter 0]

You forgot to tell him about the future wider networks and the RHWMIS!

[DFire870 2]

Not to mention it's great if you want a realistic look in your cities or in your CJ.

And I think a park area would be nice, because then you could have a greenbelt and a fully-functional underground highway in the same spot.

[japamala 0]

Too bad it's imposible to make the pollution all ome out at the entrances....

[godjcjk12 0]

can't wait

[daniel01 0]

wow Tarkus that is really good

can't wait

keep up the good work

daniel01

[SamuraiClinton 0]

People, you should explore google maps, and look at some freeway junctions. Try zooming in on all the freeway ramps of the Michigan map. There are lots of interesting ramps in Michigan. Another idea would be to make a 2-lane freeway with ramps, and also to make highway forks so that more realism can come in.

[mikeseith 469]

Oh! I hope your work with the wider highways goes very smooth.  I have wanted those for so long.  Thank you for your hard work Tarkus.

[Shingure 56]

Ok..I need to find the ANT plugin.

[simzebu 20]

It's included in the NAM. Go to Modds and Downloads, and download the latest NAM. When the installer asks, make sure to select the ANT plugin box.

Speaking of the latest NAM, when are we going to see the fully compatible RHW? It's been three months, could we at least get the basics back? Sorry if I sound pushy, I just hate not being able to use it without losing all the new NAM features.

[nerdly_dood 26]

How about higher speed limits than 6 lane concrete freeways? With most inner-city freeways that I know of (Interstate 581 in Roanoke VA, interstate 40 in Raleigh/Durham NC the speed limit is always 55 but on rural interstates the speed limit is 65 or 70 miles an hour (90 or 95 km/hr city, 100 or 110 km/hr rural)

[Tarkus 6,934]

Hi everyone-

Just wanted to respond to everyone's comments. 

DFire870:  I'll count you for another vote for the park.  That's a really good point about the dual-purpose of doing such a thing.

japamala:  Well, there might actually be a way.  I know qurlix at one point added a park effect to the RHW as an experiment, so it appears I probably could do something similar to the Underground RHW.

godjcjk12 and daniel01:  Thanks, and I can't wait to finish things up myself.

SamuraiClinton:  Welcome to ST, and thanks for the suggestion.  Rest assured, the RHWMIS is going to be continually expanded, and I would like to include some sort of setup to accommodate the 2-lane version. 

If you look on the last page at my previous post, you'll notice in the last pic that the one elevated ramp that comes in from the left side actually splits.  So there will be various splitter pieces as well.

mikeseith:  Thanks for the compliments, and it's no problem. 

(Off-Topic:  By the way, I recently discovered your car dealership BATs, and they've been a very welcome addition to my cities.  Thanks!)

Shingure:  The ANT box is actually hidden under an expandable menu, and if you miss the expandable menu, the ANT option is not checked, so it would not be installed.

Here's a couple pics to help guide you through:

1.  The options where the check box is gray instead of white are expandable, including the "Plugins" option.  To open the expandable menu, click the "+" sign I have circled.

2.  The menu will expand.  Here you'll find the ANT Plugin.  Check the box to install the ANT network.

After you do this, then you can install the actual RHW mod.  Also, when you get into the game, make sure you are using the ANT/Rural Highway Tool and not the Road tool.  The ANT/Rural Highway Tool, should be right on top, and with the current version, there should be two identical icons for it.

Hope that helps.

simzebu:  It really has been quite awhile--everyone here has been quite patient with this situation, and I know I'm at least grateful for that.  I know qurlix has some RL, and I haven't heard from him in over a month, so I have no idea about RHW v17.  Rest assured, though, that I'm not going to allow a situation like what happened with the most recent NAM happen again with the RHW.

You'll be seeing something to address the problem very soon.  I'm going to at least wait awhile to see if qurlix resurfaces before I say anything more on the matter, as I have a lot of respect for him, and don't want to step on his toes. 

nerdly_dood:  That can be accomplished quite easily by modifying a few Network Parameter files.  I would recommend larsz's Traffic Cop program, except for the fact that it does not handle the "ANT" network that the RHW is based on.  I have been toying with the idea of releasing some new modifications along those lines to optimize things with the RHW, as well as the new Turning Lane Avenues project I'm also working on.

-Tarkus

[artforce1 5]

Hey Tarkus, the progress is great!  Just two quick questions though:  Will there by toll boths for the RHW?  And if you do a Big Dig type project with the RHW, can you somehow find a way to do it without using the subway tunnels because I couldnt get my Big Dig to work and just gave up.  

Also, to all of simtropolis, with alot of states privitizing their highway systems, are there any game companys making a highway tycoon simulator?  I think that would be kinda neat!

[daniel01 0]

thanks for that Tarkus.

daniel01

[rickmastfan67 0]

For anybody who is thinking of making a toll booth for the RHW, here's an idea for one.  This is a picture of the EB off-ramp toll booths on PA Turnpike 576 @ US-30 up here in Pittsburgh.  It's all automated.  Two lanes are for Cash and EZ-Pass, the third is EZ-Pass only.  And I personally think that this would make a perfect off-ramp toll booth for the mod.  I also have a picture of WB on-ramp toll booth that is at the same interchange.  If anybody wants to attempt these toll booths, post or PM me your e-mail address and I'll send you the HR versions of the images.



On another note, Tarkus, I see you're using the new strait RHW piece I sent ya over in your CJ.  How's it working out?

[Tarkus 6,934]

Just dropped by to respond to a couple comments:

artforce1:  Great to see you back around these parts!  To answer your questions, there has been interest in making tollbooths for the RHW, but I have yet to hear anything definitive.  And as far as the Big Dig goes, I'm already working with blahdy on implementing a new Underground RHW with that project, as well as the new Charles River Crossing Project. 

rickmastfan67:  The new straight pieces you sent look absolutely fantastic--I really like what you've done with them.  I'll probably drop you an e-mail, or better yet, I'll probably be on MSN tomorrow. 

-Tarkus

[rickmastfan67 0]

Originally posted by: Tarkus Just dropped by to respond to a couple comments:

rickmastfan67:  The new straight pieces you sent look absolutely fantastic--I really like what you've done with them.  I'll probably drop you an e-mail, or better yet, I'll probably be on MSN tomorrow. 

-Tarkusquote>

 

I'll keep an eye out for ya later today on MSN.  I should be on it sometime after 6PM EDT tonight.

[XL 19]

Progress is lookin' good. The suspense is still killing me. Sometimes, I even dream of a beta version being put out for those brave enough

[Tarkus 6,934]

XL:  Don't die on us.  Especially now . . .

-Tarkus

[hawkpride147 1]

Originally posted by: nerdly_dood How about higher speed limits than 6 lane concrete freeways? With most inner-city freeways that I know of (Interstate 581 in Roanoke VA, interstate 40 in Raleigh/Durham NC the speed limit is always 55 but on rural interstates the speed limit is 65 or 70 miles an hour (90 or 95 km/hr city, 100 or 110 km/hr rural)quote>

 

i definately agree...here in texas most speed limits within cities are 60 mph while in rural areas the speed limit is 70 in most areas with some areas having a limit of 80 mph.