NAM General Support

[a11eria 3]

I have been having issues with the new 4 way rail intersection that is under road intersection. I have this intersection in multiple cities none of them seem to be working. Road or rail is not using the intersection at all. I have tried predrawing with road and with rail. When I predraw with road the intersection works right up until I place the 4 way road over rail. I have also tried removing and reinstalling the nam. I am open to suggestions. To me it looks as if the intersection is set for the wrong side of the road.

http://imageshack.us/f/692/noneurail.jpg/

As you can see in the pic in the query it says none. I placed the stations to prove that each line works and can generate rail traffic.

Nothing will use the intersection from UDI to everyday traffic to the fire engine.

[FireSka 20]

Hey NAM Team. Since the installation of the latest NAM, I have been experiencing problems with the Region view (the screen where you choose which city you want to load). The colors of the roads, rail, and highways have changed. Highways are now colored black and rail are colored red. Roads are sometimes colored black, sometimes a dark grey, and sometime white. It depends on when I last saved the city.

Are you guys aware of this issue? What could be causing it? My Region view is now messy and confusing, as I can't tell which data are highways when both the roads and highways are all colored black.

[CaptCity 4,753]

Hey NAM Team. Since the installation of the latest NAM, I have been experiencing problems with the Region view (the screen where you choose which city you want to load). The colors of the roads, rail, and highways have changed. Highways are now colored black and rail are colored red.

If you also loaded the newest RHW Mod, this was by design. A change was included in the mod to allow the RHW routes to appear in the region view (They wouldn't before.)

Roads are sometimes colored black, sometimes a dark grey, and sometime white. It depends on when I last saved the city.

I may not be remembering correctly, but I think this might have something to do with opening the data views while playing the city. If you do, it appears one way; if you don't, another. I'll have to go back through some threads to refresh my memory if no one else comes along before...

[Ganaram Inukshuk 906]

The colors of the roads, rail, and highways have changed. Highways are now colored black and rail are colored red. Roads are sometimes colored black, sometimes a dark grey, and sometime white. It depends on when I last saved the city.

That has to do with making the RHW show up on the regional transport map, and these are known (and fixable) issues stated in the RHW Readme.

@CaptCity: I got the full details on the second part:

Q: Why are all my roads black?

A: If you do not open any of the dataviews before saving the game, the map will be rendered incorrectly resulting in all car traffic networks showing up as the highway color.

@FireSka: Always be sure to read the readme. Otherwise, you'll make it sad. :cry:

  Edited October 19, 2011 by Ganaram DI  

[CaptCity 4,753]

@CaptCity: I got the full details on the second part:

Q: Why are all my roads black?

A: If you do not open any of the dataviews before saving the game, the map will be rendered incorrectly resulting in all car traffic networks showing up as the highway color.

Thanks, Ganaram... Saved me some time there. Guess I should've hung on to that Readme...

[alvinheriadi 2]

Some question from me:

I think a 15 m (high) overpass is too high and scary in Real Life.

Can you reduce the overpass height to 5 - 7.5 meters?

  Edited October 19, 2011 by alvinheriadi  

[Ganaram Inukshuk 906]

I think a 15 m (high) overpass is too high and scary in Real Life. Can you reduce the overpass height to 5 - 7.5 meters?

I think 15m is too high, too.

Well, one of the eventual goals is to add half-height content (7.5 meter high networks for networks such as Road and RHW). 7.5 meter high networks would be designated as level 1 networks (in contrast, ground-level networks would be level 0, or L0), and the existing 15m networks would be kept as level 2 (or L2).

[FireSka 20]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. I actually did dig through the readme files for about 45 minutes before posting here. Guess I missed where these issues were outlined, but I'm glad they are known issues. I installed the latest RHW mod, but don't use it much due to the amount of space the highways take up. Really, I just wanted to play around with it some. Sounds like if I just uninstall RHW the issues would be resolved. Thanks. Not sure about the dataviews thing.. I open the dataviews all the time. But maybe I have to open a specific one or something.

[Ganaram Inukshuk 906]

Sounds like if I just uninstall RHW the issues would be resolved. Thanks. Not sure about the dataviews thing.. I open the dataviews all the time. But maybe I have to open a specific one or something.

Since that modified transport view mod comes with the RHW itself, uninstalling the RHW will remove it. Alternatively, you could simply remove that individual DAT (filename is RealHighwayMod_Regional_Transport_Map.dat) from the RHW folder (and preferably put a copy of it somewhere else) on the off-chance you still want to toy with the RHW. (The RHW just won't show up on your regional transport map anymore.)

Also, it doesn't matter which dataview you open prior to saving using the modified transport view; So long as it's open and it's one of the dataviews.

[Tarkus 6,932]

Additionally, if you used the Windows installer, the Regional Transport View Plugin in the RHW is listed as an optional plugin (checked by default). Uncheck it when you install the RHW and it won't be installed.

-Tarkus

[FireSka 20]

Thanks again. I simply deleted the plugin, but left the RHW mod. Everything is fixed now! I like the idea of the plugin, but don't like that it changes the color of the roads and highways, though I read the readme and understand why. Again, I don't use RHW much and I can simply reinstall the file if I decide to start using it and want to see it on the Regional Transport View.

Really love these mods by the way! Been using them ever since the first release and really appreciate the hard work. I do look forward to more Maxis highway interchanges. The NWM has been especially awesome to use for the past couple years!!

On another note, is there any sort of mod that allows the building of roads under a double elevated Highway? For example: an elevated highway over elevated highway... roads cannot cross underneath the highest bridge. Would be cool if they could. :-) Maybe even by a ploppable road/owr/avenue that visually extends below the highway bridge (or any other bridge for that matter) and conforms to pathfinding, but not uDrive it.

[PaddyA 0]

New user to Simtroplois here... Wow, so much information to take in nad so much to be able to be downloaded... great work guys ...

I have the Original Sim City 4 and the simcity.exe is version 1.0.272.0 and the related files are date 2003

I am trying to upgrade my Transport Network, roads, bridges, highways etc.

Few questions:

1. How do you tell the version is LHD or RHD? I'm expecting it is LHD, but couldn't see where to find out with my loaded version.

2. I downloaded the NAM 2011-01-15-NetworkAddonMod_Version30_Windows_Setup.zip and I kinda figure that it is not compatible with the Original Version. Are there NAM that are compatible with my SC4 version (1.0.272.0) and where do I download it?

I do hope you can assist, I have always wanted more Roads and Rail options after seeing your site.

Thanks

[MandelSoft 2,769]

The NAM doesn't work with the basic SimCity 4 game, like most other custom content. It only works with SimCity 4 Rush Hour or SimCity 4 Deluxe.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

As to the LHD/RHD question, it depends on the world area of purchase. If it was purchased in an LHD country it is probably LHD. Just look and see which side of the road the cars are driving on.

You probably need the update patch for your version. It can be found at SC4Devotion. Go to the left hand frame, scoot to the bottom and choose the EA support button. Be sure you get the right patch or you will have to reinstall your game.

[yacard 0]

Is this the place to ask about left hand / rigth hand issues?? I have the Steam-Spanish version of the game (SC4 Deluxe) and I installed the latest version of NAM (3.0 I guess), well, the fact is no matter wich option i choose, the traffic is always like in England and I want it like in US. I started a new region to see if the problem is about use NAM 3.0 in a city that is already created, but no, with a new region (from zero) the pluggin keeps doing the same. Note: I always install "Full version" (NAM 3.0) .

Thank in advance and I'm sorry for borrow your time

Have a good day..!!

[Tarkus 6,932]

Is this the place to ask about left hand / rigth hand issues?? I have the Steam-Spanish version of the game (SC4 Deluxe) and I installed the latest version of NAM (3.0 I guess), well, the fact is no matter wich option i choose, the traffic is always like in England and I want it like in US. I started a new region to see if the problem is about use NAM 3.0 in a city that is already created, but no, with a new region (from zero) the pluggin keeps doing the same. Note: I always install "Full version" (NAM 3.0) .

Thank in advance and I'm sorry for borrow your time

Have a good day..!!

The NAM Drive Side options only install NAM-related files that are specific to a certain drive side (e.g. path files, some side-specific textures, etc.). Installing the NAM Right-Hand Drive (RHD) option will not convert a Left-Hand Drive (LHD) game into an RHD game, nor will installing LHD option make an RHD game into an LHD game.

I'm not entirely sure how the Steam install process works, but somehow, the registry entries for the game must have been set to LHD mode upon install. At least with non-Steam copies of the game, in order to switch the game to RHD, you'll need to either modify the Windows registry, or (more simply) the shortcut can be modified in the manner described in this SC4D post by smoncrie. (The process for Steam copies should be similar, though one of the Steam-using NAM Team members would know better.)

-Tarkus

[danthaman4671 133]

Ever since i installed NAM my monorails are running 250%-300% over capacity. Is this supposed to happen?

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Ever since i installed NAM my monorails are running 250%-300% over capacity. Is this supposed to happen?

Check to see if the ridership exceeds the population of the tile at any point on the line. If so, you have the eternal commuter loop.

[z1 566]

Ever since i installed NAM my monorails are running 250%-300% over capacity. Is this supposed to happen?

Do you mean your monorail lines, or your stations?

The NAM traffic simulator often causes a big boost in monorail usage, which makes sense since the monorail is the fastest form of transport in SC4. If your monorail lines are that much over capacity, you may simply want to switch to a higher capacity version of the NAM traffic simulator. Do you recall which version you chose when you installed the NAM? By default, the "Medium" version is chosen for you.

Check to see if the ridership exceeds the population of the tile at any point on the line. If so, you have the eternal commuter loop.

Not necessarily. If the monorail is connected to a tile with a much bigger population, you can legitimately have this happen with no loop involved. The best way to be really sure you have an eternal commuter loop is to see the whole thing in the traffic data views of the various cities involved.

Of course if the traffic along any route exceeds the total population of the region, that's a pretty good sign as well. But eternal commuter loops almost never get that bad.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Not necessarily. If the monorail is connected to a tile with a much bigger population, you can legitimately have this happen with no loop involved. The best way to be really sure you have an eternal commuter loop is to see the whole thing in the traffic data views of the various cities involved.

Of course if the traffic along any route exceeds the total population of the region, that's a pretty good sign as well. But eternal commuter loops almost never get that bad.

Actually, a couple of years ago, I had this happen. That's how I discovered the loop.

Is monorail actually faster than intercity ferries?

[z1 566]

Is monorail actually faster than intercity ferries?

All ferry travel, both intercity and intracity, appears to be instantaneous. This probably has to do with the fact that there is no ferry network - only a travel type.

So to be more precise, the monorail is the fastest form of transport on land in SC4.

  Edited November 7, 2011 by z1  

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Is monorail actually faster than intercity ferries?

All ferry travel, both intercity and intracity, appears to be instantaneous. This probably has to do with the fact that there is no ferry network - only a travel type.

So to be more precise, the monorail is the fastest form of transport on land in SC4.

Thought so. Thanks for the confirmation. It seems this is yet another incomplete item in the program.

[yacard 0]

Is monorail actually faster than intercity ferries?

All ferry travel, both intercity and intracity, appears to be instantaneous. This probably has to do with the fact that there is no ferry network - only a travel type.

So to be more precise, the monorail is the fastest form of transport on land in SC4.

Thought so. Thanks for the confirmation. It seems this is yet another incomplete item in the program.

Faster than the Highway?? or you're just talking about Mass trans??!!!

Do you know where I can read more about "Eternal Commute Loop"

[z1 566]

Faster than the Highway?? or you're just talking about Mass trans??!!!

In the Maxis traffic simulator, monorails are more than twice as fast as highways, which in turn are disproportionately slower than all other forms of transportation except walking. That's one reason the Sims don't use highways very much in the vanilla game. Subway, elevated rail, and commuter rail are all 67% faster than highways - that takes into account time spent at stops. You can see how compared to RL, that's completely backward.

In the NAM traffic simulator, monorails are 50% faster than highways. This is still much faster than RL (the Seattle monorail averages 27 mph, including stops), but this much speed advantage was kept in order not to break existing cities. The monorail is also the basis for the NAM's High Speed Rail network. In the NAM traffic simulator, highways are 45% faster than subways, elevated rail, and freight trains, and 7% faster than commuter rail, which in RL has fewer stops to slow it down.

Do you know where I can read more about "Eternal Commute Loop"

An excellent description of this problem can be found on page 6 of the CAM Manual.

[danthaman4671 133]

Ever since i installed NAM my monorails are running 250%-300% over capacity. Is this supposed to happen?

Do you mean your monorail lines, or your stations?

The NAM traffic simulator often causes a big boost in monorail usage, which makes sense since the monorail is the fastest form of transport in SC4. If your monorail lines are that much over capacity, you may simply want to switch to a higher capacity version of the NAM traffic simulator. Do you recall which version you chose when you installed the NAM? By default, the "Medium" version is chosen for you.

Check to see if the ridership exceeds the population of the tile at any point on the line. If so, you have the eternal commuter loop.

Not necessarily. If the monorail is connected to a tile with a much bigger population, you can legitimately have this happen with no loop involved. The best way to be really sure you have an eternal commuter loop is to see the whole thing in the traffic data views of the various cities involved.

Of course if the traffic along any route exceeds the total population of the region, that's a pretty good sign as well. But eternal commuter loops almost never get that bad.

Ok, I did a little test. I started a new city, laid some zoning down, set up a small network (monorail) and right away the stations are running at 50%. My city dosen't have enough people to do that!

[z1 566]

Ok, I did a little test. I started a new city, laid some zoning down, set up a small network (monorail) and right away the stations are running at 50%. My city dosen't have enough people to do that!

So it's the stations then, not the network.

Are you using the standard Maxis monorail stations? These have a capacity of only 2000, so 50% is a usage of 1000, which is really not very much at all. These same 1000 are counted for each station that the Sims pass through, so these numbers aren't additive. Could you give us the population of your city and your actual station usage? I'm also assuming that this monorail route runs only in this one city.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Ok, I did a little test. I started a new city, laid some zoning down, set up a small network (monorail) and right away the stations are running at 50%. My city dosen't have enough people to do that!

So it's the stations then, not the network.

Are you using the standard Maxis monorail stations? These have a capacity of only 2000, so 50% is a usage of 1000, which is really not very much at all. These same 1000 are counted for each station that the Sims pass through, so these numbers aren't additive. Could you give us the population of your city and your actual station usage? I'm also assuming that this monorail route runs only in this one city.

One of the neater tricks because of the way the counters work is to put your stations on spurs, not on the through line. The spur should have only one end and not take the track through the station.

[danthaman4671 133]

Ok, I did a little test. I started a new city, laid some zoning down, set up a small network (monorail) and right away the stations are running at 50%. My city dosen't have enough people to do that!

So it's the stations then, not the network.

Are you using the standard Maxis monorail stations? These have a capacity of only 2000, so 50% is a usage of 1000, which is really not very much at all. These same 1000 are counted for each station that the Sims pass through, so these numbers aren't additive. Could you give us the population of your city and your actual station usage? I'm also assuming that this monorail route runs only in this one city.

Ok, a little update. POP-60,389 I have 5 stations in on a straight line going from a residental area to an industrial one. The station with the lowest use is going at 124% and the highest at 424%. My data view is telling me most on the line is going at green 100% (8000)

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Rearrange you stations so that they are on spurs and not on the main line. The program counts through traffic on the station load, so except for the ultimate end points the stats are no good.

[z1 566]

Ok, a little update. POP-60,389 I have 5 stations in on a straight line going from a residental area to an industrial one. The station with the lowest use is going at 124% and the highest at 424%. My data view is telling me most on the line is going at green 100% (8000)

These volumes are quite normal. The NAM traffic simulator you are using has a monorail network capacity more than five times as high as the Maxis traffic simulator; for this reason you're going to need much more station capacity than the Maxis stations supply. The best thing to do is to find monorail stations with higher capacity on the STEX. If you want to do a little modding, you can set the capacity of these stations to whatever you wish. The recommended capacity for standard monorail stations in the NAM is 45,000; this accommodates all the capacity versions of the NAM traffic simulator.

Rearrange you stations so that they are on spurs and not on the main line. The program counts through traffic on the station load, so except for the ultimate end points the stats are no good.

Unfortunately, this solution doesn't work in many cases. The Sims tend to take shorter trips than people in RL, so it is not unusual to see most or all of a network's traffic coming in or leaving at a particular station. In such cases, having the station on a siding will not reduce the usage of the station.

If you want to see station usage for stations on the main line, it is usually a simple matter of comparing the network traffic on both sides of the station and taking the difference between the two numbers. Although this is not exactly accurate if Sims both leave and enter the station, the way the game works, this rarely happens to any significant extent during a given commute period. And the station sidings don't make the through monorails run any faster; as with all travel types, the monorails are actually single-passenger and do not stop (or even slow down) at intermediate stations.

  Edited November 11, 2011 by z1