Can't handle traffic

[BDF92 0]

Hey guys, I have been trying to expand my cities but I think I realize what my problem is (I'm stuck at 150k people with no skyscrapers). I think my traffic is too high and is creating too much traffic noise and air pollution. I have all the ordinances for pollution and traffic and still it is high. Here are my cities (they are connected).

https://i.imgur.com/fbXgK.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/i9TH0.jpg

As you can see, my train stations are way over capacity. My bus stations that are on every block are usually about 150-200% over capacity. Could this be telling me something? I have added subways but they barely reach 20% capacity. I have NAM.

Thanks!

P.S. do you see anything I could do to help bring about skyscrapers?

[aparrot7 82]

For skyscrapers, place landmarks and parks. It doesn't seem you have very many. You seem to have the commercial demand too. Usually placing High-density commercial in the center of your city, near parks and landmarks, and high traffic area and transit hubs work well.

When I played SC4 [i don't anymore], i remember that the default train stations went over capacity way to quickly. I then got some of the bigger stations in the STEX- which satisfied the demand. Other than that, I would recommend placing a highway to ease traffic.

Ohh and also- by the looks of your airport, it looks as if it needs an upgrade.

EDIT: Also seeing you have a grid network, you could change the roads to one-way roads to ease traffic.

  Edited August 11, 2012 by aparrot7  

[Kruness 176]

do you have bus stations and subways? also parking lots are helping.

also creating an other city with much industry will help, and i don't see very mutch parks in your city, you shut build them.

and never forget to place the money tree and set all taxes to zero

  Edited August 11, 2012 by Kruness  

[Superbacon 380]

There's a rail station on the STEX with a 50,000 passenger capacity. I suggest you download it and replace your Maxis stations with it.

I also suggest downloading the "pollution ionizer" $50,000 to plop and $1,000/mo to maintain. It will eliminate water pollution and most air pollution in its wide radius. So you won't need that water treatment plant.

If by skyscrapers, you mean commercial office towers then zone some 4x4 lots, place parks/plazas, mass transit stations nearby. Adequate fire and police coverage on the area, and no garbage pileup. Water and power, obviously. But most importantly you need demand. For demand you need educated sims. You also need to upgrade that airport.

You should also build some highway connections and link them up to your avenues.

If your skyscrapers don't develop (which they probably won't) then download the CAM. That'll increase your demand stages and bring about higher-capacity buildings faster. OR, download some player-made skyscrapers from the STEX/SC4D. They're tall and get the job done.

  Edited August 11, 2012 by Topgun232  

[z1 566]

As you can see, my train stations are way over capacity. My bus stations that are on every block are usually about 150-200% over capacity. Could this be telling me something? I have added subways but they barely reach 20% capacity. I have NAM.

Yes, it's telling you that you need bigger capacity stations. The stations that come with the game simply are nowhere near sufficient for a large NAM city filled with custom content. Your traffic is normal; it's the stations that are the problem.

TopGun232 mentions a larger rail station. That sounds like it could be one of SimGoober's stations, which all have decent capacity. Check out the STEX for the complete selection of SimGoober's rail stations.

As for bus stations, I would recommend along with the very important update. This will give you bus, subway, and tram stations with plenty of capacity. Furthermore, these stations are placed directly on the side or center of the road, so they don't take up precious real estate.

[Superbacon 380]

Here's the station I was talking about:

50,000 passenger capacity, double rail line (not required) but it looks cool. Modern and sleek.

Pollution ionizer:

40 tile radius all pollution reduction.

[rweather5 22]

You should have a bus service. Put a bus station right next to the rail station and put bus stations around residential zones. Your residents will use the bus to the train station, and ride a train to work.

[A Nonny Moose 8,263]

And you need similar service in the working zones as well. Sometimes in the CBD you can connect to either subway or GLR (Tram), and even subway in the industrial area if it is big enough.

Also, try putting in a parking garage across from the rail station(s).