SimCity: Transit and Roading Networks

[glazert 89]

This is very nice, and I like it. However, let us say that it will be for a future release, and simply ask that the hooks be placed in the initial game so that this could be an expansion pack at a later time. I think we want this game to be released sooner rather than later.

The new pack could be something called, for example, 'Roads in SimCity'.

Or, how about calling it "Rush Hour"

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

This is very nice, and I like it. However, let us say that it will be for a future release, and simply ask that the hooks be placed in the initial game so that this could be an expansion pack at a later time. I think we want this game to be released sooner rather than later.

The new pack could be something called, for example, 'Roads in SimCity'.

Or, how about calling it "Rush Hour"

Complete with a massive bug fix update I suppose.

My point is that everything cannot be in the initial game or it won't be delivered until 2020.

[Catmando 7]

Complete with a massive bug fix update I suppose.

My point is that everything cannot be in the initial game or it won't be delivered until 2020.

I don't mind waiting longer for some content so long as a standalone game is delivered to me and I don't have to pay for the final features or something. I've been waiting for Minecraft to finish for almost three years now, and I have a feeling I won't stop waiting anytime soon. There's plenty to do as it is and the future, fully free content is only going to make the deal better. It's a win-win for me buying early and playing as it is tweaked.

[Catmando 7]

It seems discussion is waning. Here's something that may be of interest to you guys:

Remember this picture? I was analyzing it a bit, and I don't think it would be premature to make the assumption that what we see is what we'll sim when the game comes out. A few features of the road and transit system we can get from this image:

• Gridded roads are possible.
• Curved roads are possible.
• There are either three types of roads here or two forms of one kind and one form of another kind: we see a typical two-lane road, as well as a four-lane road, what we would call an avenue. In addition, there's a boulevard running right through the city, the one with trees lining the center. This suggests a few possibilities: the boulevard could be a customized version of the avenue, the boulevard is a separate kind of road, or the boulevard is made up of one-way roads with some zoned parks in the center. That last possibility is a rather depressing thought to me, but is evidence by the fact that the trees abruptly stop at the top left corner of the picture, as if the mayor decided not to zone it any further (it seems to be near or at the edge of development, although more buildings can be seen just outside the range of the picture). It's also possible the boulevard is a kind of wide avenue and zoning, say, residential made it look like a boulevard. Since there's not much zoned in the top left, there are no trees. I wish there was a more definitive answer about this one—the one thing I didn't want to do is speculate.
• There is an elevated train running through the city.
• In the far right middle an avenue bridge is running over both the river and another avenue.
• A little bit below the avenue bridge is a road bridge whose mouth is right on the avenue. This was difficult to achieve in previous Simcities (at least for me). It seems to work flawlessly in that picture, however.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Looks like a prototype to me. Artistic license and all that. The artist doesn't know that some of this may be impossible in the game. The developers probably don't know yet either. Let's just wait and see.

[Mr_Maison 2,426]

Holly Cow I'm late to this news! I'm very excited to hear that the true Sim City company is making the next installment we been waiting for years for. Anyway, I been reading through some threads and have yet to see one dedicated to mass transit which is what I depend on the most to manage large cites and regions (if I missed it I'm sorry). Is there any news about mass transit and how it will be implemented into the game? Will there be subways, railroads, elevated as well as ground level subways that can share tracks with passenger railroads via the agent system, buses, monorails etc? Will we be able to build complex transit hubs like Jamaica Center in Queens, NY?

My biggest disappointment with Cities XL was the lack of mass transit and that was a deal breaker for me. A metropolis is nothing without a good mass transit system. Really looking forward to this and I am officially on line for beta testing

[JcCali1214 34]

I absolutely agree w/ you on every point Mr_Maison. What is metropolis w/o a smart, efficient mass transit network.

As far as I know, there hasn't been any/much word from Maxis on the subject, and I could only assume they would say that the simulation could support it, which it c ould.

And, all the mass transit options I am sure are wanted by the community but I am personally hoping for expanded Monorail support because contrary to most of the community, I used the exclusively in my cities. In fact, I am hoping for expanded elevated rail support (such as, structures and uses underneath the rail, different elevations, stations in buildings, etc.) and expanded rail maneuverability, optionallity, etc as well.

What I am saying but, just expanded mass transit options .

And thanks for finally making a definitive thread for this crucial city-building topic..

  Edited March 27, 2012 by JcCali1214  

[Thetford 22]

I'm hoping for the basics first of bus, subway and rail. Then if it at least has those, then I can worry about the fancier options.

Though, on a slightly related note, I think resources could be implemented into mass transit for example, whether they run on coal (like SC3K steam trains), oil (buses, diesel trains) or electricity (electric buses and electric trains), and can effect maintenance costs, such as fuel prices, aesthetics of the vehicles, and face different issues such as shortages or blackouts. Though that might be a bit too much micromanaging.

[Catmando 7]

https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/index.php?app=forums&module=post&section=post&do=reply_post&f=83&t=48592&qpid=1235039

I'm hoping for the basics first of bus, subway and rail. Then if it at least has those, then I can worry about the fancier options.

Though, on a slightly related note, I think resources could be implemented into mass transit for example, whether they run on coal (like SC3K steam trains), oil (buses, diesel trains) or electricity (electric buses and electric trains), and can effect maintenance costs, such as fuel prices, aesthetics of the vehicles, and face different issues such as shortages or blackouts. Though that might be a bit too much micromanaging.

My guess is that if we're able to essentially subsidize certain markets (like the coal market), we'll have lower prices available to us, ergo maintenance costs for some kinds of trains would go down. Hard to say just how Maxis will implement that right now, though, since we're so early in development.

[Mark Waybill 242]

I thought there was a 'roads and transit' thread but anyway my opinion regarding transport is that as such an integral part of a city simulation it shouldn't be given a side role. I believe that a good variety of options from walking tracks in the bush to huge ten lane freeways should be available, and that optional features such as toll booths, road side inns etc that either arise of their own accord or are added as modules should also be included. I believe we should have a realistic array of uses for railways, such as mining railways, and that ports should be zoned, both air and sea. Put basically I'd like to do what one can do in real life but in a fraction of the time and with no risk involved.

[Mr_Maison 2,426]

Yes there is a transit and road thread but mass transit is a world unto itself. Aside from roads and how cars, trucks and pedestrians get around, mass transit makes the most impact on congestion and the overall flow of the sim's business. Mass transit deserves it's own thread in my opinion.

[Mark Waybill 242]

Well I would like to be able to designate bus routes like in CXL, and I would want to have the ability, but not the requirement, to choose rolling stock and more detailed modules like in Simutrans. Railway stations come in all shapes and sizes, and having a cookie cutter approach doesn't work here of all places. I'd expect the module system to apply to transit infrastructure. If I want to tack on an extra five metres to my platform no.5 or add a waiting room or cafe or what have you etc. And cafes and newpaper stands at stations should be operated like commercial zones, in that they are private businesses given the right to operate there in most instances.

Ferries like those in Sydney should have designated routes and there should be various types to cater for the size of the city. A small vessel to cross an unbridged river, should not be the size of a small cruise ship.

[Duke87 1,070]

The insanity of subway stations and bus stops taking up ground space needs to be done away with. Just plop them on the sidewalk!

[Mark Waybill 242]

Agreed

[simlink 1,098]

The insanity of subway stations and bus stops taking up ground space needs to be done away with. Just plop them on the sidewalk!

I agree completely, especially if the subway system is added later in a city's life. However I think there should be an option for placement off sidewalk as well.

[jacksunny 741]

I completely agree. We should also be able to place road signs on the sidewalk.

[Mark Waybill 242]

I believe bus stops on sidewalks and subway stops are good, and also off sidewalk bus stations for larger capacity, i.e terminals. I believe railway stations should be expandable, so platforms can be lengthened, added or subtracted, and various modules like soda machines (automatic?) and newspaper stands (zoned commercial modules) should be addable.

I'd also like to see curved viaducts, steam trains, and tramways hauled by horses but naturally that sort of thing falls under future expansion.

[LucasK336 54]

I know it's just "concept art", but who knows?

I'd love to have trams in my cities! ^^

[jacksunny 741]

^Like many other things in the game, rail stations will probably be modular.

[Neotrezz 7]

I really hope that they implement a Constructive Solid Geometry algorithm for the networks that are being laid on the terrain. CSG cut's a hole in the terrain where needed based on for example the road geometry. This way, it will be very easy to create beautiful slopes without 'terrain dependent' jagged edges like you see in most of the train simulators these days. When you make a sunken highway, the edges of that highway will be cut in the terrain.

Perfect smooth corners with a perfect align slope included.

  Edited March 28, 2012 by Neotrezz  

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

One hopes that all the hardware 3D features will now be available. Some of the little assists will make everything look much better. SC4 was just ahead of all the new stuff that is now default for good GPUs.

[gweed123 33]

The insanity of subway stations and bus stops taking up ground space needs to be done away with. Just plop them on the sidewalk!

I agree completely, especially if the subway system is added later in a city's life. However I think there should be an option for placement off sidewalk as well.

I also think though that there should be an option for large suburban stations, complete with subways and bus bays. It's hard now to build large suburban subway stations without having them look awful/not work properly.

I'd also like to be able to place actual platforms underground, and then place entrances to the stations separately. So I guess what I'm getting it is place the platform on the line first, and then choose what kind of above-ground fixture goes with it (whether it's small sidewalk entrances, or a suburban station with a lot of bus bays).

[Mark Waybill 242]

Well a promising bit of hope regarding railroad options was the reference to model railroading as being an influence in the latest interviews so who knows. It'd definitely be nice to play SC like a model railroad and lay down realistic lines and networks. Those stations in 4 were just awful.

[RenneCR 2]

The bashment of CXL is and especially it's public transport is downright not justified.

In CXL there is:

* buses

* subway

and making routes/lines is pretty clever compared to the method in SC4 and prolly the method in SC5 will be similar to that in CXL.

The modding community of CXL has released:

* Tram network - with a route/line similar to bus and metro

The trams are a part of NEXL series. Pedpaths are released this weekend.

Also upcoming NEXL transit networks are:

* Ferry mass transit

* waterways intercity transit (expansion to harbors)

* airways intercity transit (expansion to airports)

* Unlock the RAIL (intercity and intracity)

* There is also going to be expansion to the subway - ground/elevated stations.

And I heard a monorail rumor too!

I know many people were disappointed the CXL didn't had RAIL (passenger&freight) but it's gonna be unlocked and reworked by NEXL.

Still at least a year to SC5 - if you will - you'll have plenty of time to play CXL and get another perspective on city building/simulator.

[Cob92 360]

The bashment of CXL is and especially it's public transport is downright not justified.

In CXL there is:

* buses

* subway

and making routes/lines is pretty clever compared to the method in SC4 and prolly the method in SC5 will be similar to that in CXL.

The modding community of CXL has released:

* Tram network - with a route/line similar to bus and metro

The trams are a part of NEXL series. Pedpaths are released this weekend.

Also upcoming NEXL transit networks are:

* Ferry mass transit

* waterways intercity transit (expansion to harbors)

* airways intercity transit (expansion to airports)

* Unlock the RAIL (intercity and intracity)

* There is also going to be expansion to the subway - ground/elevated stations.

And I heard a monorail rumor too!

I know many people were disappointed the CXL didn't had RAIL (passenger&freight) but it's gonna be unlocked and reworked by NEXL.

Still at least a year to SC5 - if you will - you'll have plenty of time to play CXL and get another perspective on city building/simulator.

The problem is that CXL came with less transportation options than SimCity 3000 did. Even if they fixed and added stuff later the bad taste was already there.

[Baro 44]

I hope we can actually define routes for our transit system, plus I hope rail-based transport is more flexible. Subways, ground rail, elevated rail, should all be the same track more or less than the same line can run on. Many metro systems have all 3 styles. You'll be underground downtown, then elevated in the core, then ground-level in the burbs. Just give us a simple "track" tool that we set the elevation on rather than defining them as separate items.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

I hope we can actually define routes for our transit system, plus I hope rail-based transport is more flexible. Subways, ground rail, elevated rail, should all be the same track more or less than the same line can run on. Many metro systems have all 3 styles. You'll be underground downtown, then elevated in the core, then ground-level in the burbs. Just give us a simple "track" tool that we set the elevation on rather than defining them as separate items.

Bear in mind that these are all light rail systems. You can do this in SimCity 4 with the NAM using GLR and some STEX extensions.

Transcontinental rail is a different matter. These systems are designed to carry loads that would never be carried on a municipal or interurban system of light, self-propelled equipment. Just think of what a single diesel locomotive's weight would do to your tram tracks.

[Dewm 177]

What I'm wondering is if roads will be smoothly curved like this:

http://users.skynet....beersel-140.jpg

...Or "jagged" like in CitiesXL:

http://t1.gstatic.co...5NNWAyLEhGtk-0z

This may have been already answered but if it hasn't, take a look at this vid 1:34.

[RenneCR 2]

I know it's just "concept art", but who knows?

I'd love to have trams in my cities! ^^

Yes it is concept art but hopefully it gets into the game! And I think it will as ... well for todays computers more transit lines are easier to bare. Also trams are long forged by players, the community fixed the subway into a tram and CXL has trams locked and unlocked by the community. It's really the time for trams.

[jacksunny 741]

What I'm wondering is if roads will be smoothly curved like this:

http://users.skynet....beersel-140.jpg

...Or "jagged" like in CitiesXL:

http://t1.gstatic.co...5NNWAyLEhGtk-0z

This may have been already answered but if it hasn't, take a look at this vid 1:34.

We have to remember though that the graphics in that video are not the final graphics. I imagine that by the time the game is complete, the curves will be smooth.