Additional Public Transit

[andreharv 1,197]

I am currently turning some of my attention toward additional public transit options, especially in the rail variant and I would like you to vote on your favorite ideas for what I should work on.  I intend on making all of these at some point but from this poll I will know the order.  Of course if your longstanding request is not on the list, just blurt it out and I will take it into consideration.  An explanation of the choices (in order of estimated completion time):

1. Single Rail Tracks/Stations:  Pretty self explanatory.  This will allow one way single tracks to be placed and can branch or terminate original 2 way rail.  1L rail stations could allow for Island Platform or Split Platform stations.

2. Rendered Rail Tunnels: Similar to the custom roads in the Network Extensions Project, this would allow for existing rail tunnels to be visible and with a free camera mod, traversable.  If above ground metro gets off the ground (pun intended), the existing tunnels would be rendered as well.

3. High Speed Rail (new network type):  After some preliminary tests, this network would share many of the same properties as the regular train but with slightly higher acceleration and a higher top speed.  Much higher @ 300km/h, twice the current train's speed.  That would allow for a coast to coast trip through the whole map in about 90-120 seconds (depending on curves and elevation changes).  The system would also get a thorough visual makeover.  I think I would base it loosely off SC4 HSRP since that looks sweet.  I'm debating as to whether to make it maglev but you guys could help me decide that later.  Disadvantages would include wider turn radius and decreased slope tolerance so that the train can maintain speed (in current tests, the train would slow down to a crawl at sharp turns), no level crossings (pretty sure the gates wouldn't be able to close in time anyway...someone would die), and the cost will be astronomical (I'm predicting 3x convensional rail costs in all aspects).  

4. Above Ground Subways/Metro (pretty much new network type):  What would make this so time expensive is that it would more than likely require an overhaul of subway and rail AI to pull off.  In addition, I would make it a goal (but not a promise) that the system would be able to be a direct modification to the existing subway network, rather than a new network, with the hopes that existing subways could be salvaged.  Additional details would be that subway is currently 100km/h which is 2/3 the speed of conventional rail.  This will probably not change for the above ground version.  Also ground and elevated versions would both be cheaper than subway versions but not sure by how much. Additionally the metro will not have an overhead wire but instead will have a third rail (obviously they will terminate at level crossings so cims don't fry :D).

 

1 is Done (hey that rhymes).  I am happy to announce the release of the One-Way Train Tracks Mod. 

2. Not started.

3. Not started.

4. 96% Alpha HERE (11/30/16 8:20)

[sachizm 65]

I feel having underground stations for rail negates the need for above ground metro.  I would like to see underground tram stops.  High speed rail would be good if it connects to outside networks. Finally i like the idea of one track stations although i wonder if there is a way to have trains wait at a passing rail. Otherwise you couldnt put 2 trains on aline or they will block each other at some point. 

 

Overall very interested in mor PT options  as that is why i play the game

[mikamaty 47]

You can change the speed limit of the rails by T++v2 and TM:PE.

I'd like to see overground metro.

I'd like to see single-rail track too, but I am satisfied with the existing mod One-Way Train Tracks at the moment.

[boformer 3,169]

I saw your single rail track experiments. We need that!

[sachizm 65]

Would there be a way to have trains wait at a station until the line between two stations is clear? With out knowing anything about coding it seems like it would be a pain in the ass to try and implement.. 

[Cool_Z 1,547]

1 hour ago, sachizm said:

Would there be a way to have trains wait at a station until the line between two stations is clear? With out knowing anything about coding it seems like it would be a pain in the ass to try and implement.. 

I believe there is a mod to do this with busses. Trains should be possible too.

[mikamaty 47]

Do you mean Vehicle Unbucher?

[andreharv 1,197]

@sachizm To put it simply, the 1L rail is one way.  It will be in the direction that you draw it, similar to a 1 way road.  while using it in two directions is def possible, like you guys have said, the logic will be a serious pain in the neck and it may not be worth the trouble but we'll see.The good news is that these tracks are pretty nimble and like the trams, making a terminating loop is rather simple.

@mikamaty Hope I'm not wrong (especially since I kinda helped build it) but T++ V2 only allows you to set a max speed of 120km/h.  Current rail is 150km/h.  Besides, you cannot select rail segments with the tool.  Nonetheless, as mentioned above, this stuff would probably still be developed in the order it is listed (if at all lol).  

@boformer Thanks!  TBH, making some good progress.  Ground and elevated are pretty much done working on slope and tunnel ATM.

 

Thanks for your feedback.

[boformer 3,169]

9 hours ago, andreharv said:

the logic will be a serious pain in the neck and it may not be worth the trouble but we'll see.

I think it will be worth it. The same logic could be applied to roads and tram tracks.

[andreharv 1,197]

Well now that I took a moment to think about it, it may not be too painful (the 2 way logic).  I may be wrong but it seems like the logic already exists for station rail since incoming trains can stop on either side of the track.  If I could harness this AI, i would love to apply it to the suicide/turning lanes in Network Extensions.  However, if I did make the rails 2 way, I would also have a conventional one way option as well/first. 

[andreharv 1,197]

Sorry double post...pics below

1L rail is about 90% done.  the last 10% will probably take forever because...that's how this stuff usually works.  This version will be 1 way.  After this, I will work more on making 1L station tracks models for modders.  Then I may move on to 2 way 1L tracks...or perhaps subway lol.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[andreharv 1,197]

[Jewish_Banana 9]

Amazing work, andreharv. The dedication you and many others have toward modding this incredible game is unfathomable. I wish you only the best of luck with the rest of your work!

[Buddaklovn 3]

I'm... Out of words.. Amazing work! I can't wait to try it out! 

[Linoa06 1,374]

Amazing work! How about more underground rail stations (it's so much better than the default metro network)?

[andreharv 1,197]

In that case, I would recommend you vote for the above ground subway/metro.  Honestly, imho it makes more sense to fix metro rather than make rail into something it is typically not.  I did not mention this but once above ground metro is made, many of the existing models (metro vechicle, tracks, tube, etc) will have to be redone so it will look more appetizing.  Just speculating though.

[Buddaklovn 3]

Hey any ETA on the single rails? And just to be sure, are you also making a station version of them? Because i'm thinking about making a station or more when this useful beauty comes out! From what has been said and from those screens this has so much potential! 

Great work so far!

[andreharv 1,197]

This may come as good or bad news to you but I talked to the lead programmer on TAM/NExt and it is looking like this will be added on to that.  Reason being that this is going to be one of many new addons for public transport and that mod already has the framework for such a compilation.  Simply put, if I was doing it on my own, it would take a month or more to release.  That said, the Network Extensions Project will have a new update within the next week or 2.  Currently I am working on the single rail bridge truss.  I will then work on single rail station tracks (you would build your station on top of this).  Can't promise the station track will be done in time for the next release but it shouldn't be too long.

[Avanya 2,605]

Sounds like a good solution. That mod has the option to only enable what you want to use, so if some people only want to use your single rail, then they can just disable all the other things. No reason to do extra work if it's not needed.  I'd say this is good news.  

[Macronomicus 128]

Thats great news, single tracks will be quite nice indeed!  Excellent that they're going in the Network Extensions project too.
I voted for the rail tunnels, but thats just because im a FP ride along junkie any of them would be greatly appreciated additions. 

[mikamaty 47]

1 hour ago, Macronomicus said:

[...] any of them would be greatly appreciated additions. 

Yeah, that's right.  

[andreharv 1,197]

Sorry for the long delay guys.  Everyone on the Network Extensions Project has had issues over the last month (for me, I have been sick off and on for the past 2 months).  Nonetheless, the single rail is done.  I have made the station tracks though I think I will make another one with only a left pedestrian pedestrian station part for strict platform stations.

Sadly, due to integration concerns, we will have to hold off on release till next release cycle (this release cycle will see upgrades to zonable ped paths).  Reason being I finished a bunch of stuff at once but it all needs to be organized and fully tested into the behemoth of the NExt but not to worry, I believe there is not much more time to wait.  

Furthermore, I started looking into above ground metro and looking at the SubwayAI it looks pretty crappy.  It is like the TrainAI but with a lot of hardcoded values that would need to be overwritten...Still contemplating using the TrainAI instead but more on that later...For now, here are some pics of a POC (piece of crap...errr proof of concept) platform station I made as well as the bridge truss I loosely modeled after the existing 2L version.

Again, sorry for the delay but I'm sure it will be worth the wait

 

[Avanya 2,605]

Very cool!  Hope you're feeling better - being sick is never fun. I'm looking forward to the next NExt update and to eventually this.  I remember seeing some train stations on the workshop, that used sharp angles mod and the regular rail to split up tracks. (I imagine trains might use the other tracks though that are hidden by the station  ) They would be so much better with this!

[GC_Vos 714]

Amazing! It looks especially nice with bridges! Take your time, it looks like CSL will last for a while...

[Buddaklovn 3]

This is amazing!! 

[wilson124 8]

I would like to ask will the station track work separately ? just can be easy to create quadruple track ?

[andreharv 1,197]

The station track is a network type like the other types.  The station building you build around it is entirely up to you (short answer...yes).

The station pictured above is a proof of concept and will not be released.  I will be kinda relying on generous mod creators to make stations...For now

[Mr_Maison 2,426]

Wow, another awesome thread I missed.

The way I see it, a train is a train if all is used for local service. Regional lines are a different beast. The regular rail on a closed network works fine as regular and elevated commuter systems, I never used Metro since launch. We already have the capability of underground train stations. What we really need to make it a complete package is the rail tunnels that could lead into underground stations and we have a full subway system already. So even though I see rail tunnels is the least voted, I say it's extremely valuable more than many realize....so that was my first vote. 

With the single rail tracks we can make island platforms and even make express service for elevated over larger roads like avenues and Metro/Rail line stations under them without using any "Metro" networks. I think a full subway/Metro system is already more than halfway done with what we have today.

[boformer 3,169]

There are still a few issues with train subways, for example the costs, capacity values and hardcoded pathfinding preferences.

Subways are not real trains, so I would like to see a proper subway system with overground tracks.

[hbn 244]

There are sunken rail stations available for railway, they function though it has been a bit of a pain when creating a route since it doesn't show the line properly. It would be nice to have both conjoined so you could integrate transport types as in major cities such as London where parts of the Underground and the Overground share networks but with them being split in game I imagine it would just take a lot of messing about to even get them to play along properly. I'd much rather have the ability to change bridge meshes so you can have more choices than the default type, especially for designing elevated rail so they go along arches or on a brick wall or something. Oh and zoneable bus roads and

Very nice seeing those single line tracks though. Biderectional single track might require passing loops and additional coding for paths though to prevent trains getting stuck at one point, unless they just go through each other. Would make for some very nice other route configurations such as properly laying out a railway junction for lines with heavy traffic (so they don't cross each other)