Traffic improvement suggestion

[RobbFlynn]

Hi,
As you all know, there are some traffic related issues. For example, on a 3 lane road, the traffic will not make use of all available space but rather create huge lines on a single lane.
As I understand it, this is related to the way route is computed: from point A to point B. Once computed, the route is set in stone. In a real life scenario, a driver will choose the road with less traffic as no one likes standing still.
How about:
1. computing 3 routes from point A to B and choosing the one with less traffic?
or even better,

2. consider an A to E route, with B, C and D points/intersections between A&E.
How about computing 3 routes for segment A&B and choosing the best? Once arrived at B, compute B&C segment(also 3 routes), choosing the best etc etc.
In this context, "best"== less traffic, not shortest distance

What do you guys think?

 

[Kastle117]

Hello, and welcome to the forums!

This has been a very talked about subject that really gets people going, so be prepared for fire!
But in my opinion and in my experience, having multiple routes to choose from would be better, but it would be more to calculate, therefore hurting performance. We have to choose from more realistic and better vs. quick and simple. So that is probably like the way it is.
There are traffic mods like the Traffic President, etc.. but those mods really hurt performance, which only solidifies of what I just said, because it takes many processes to calculate 65,000 active agents on the road at one time, so you're looking at 250,000+ calculations in just a few seconds. That's not even including all of the pedestrians. And that is just a rough estimate, since I don't really have all the numbers, but there is also another mod that allows you to see how many agents, road segments, etc.. are in the city compared to what the game allows.

I would like to see better traffic simulation, but I also want the game to run optimally as well. One thing I know they can do is to allow right hand turns at stop lights! Like come on people, nobody is coming!

V/r

Kastle117

 

[RobbFlynn]

I understand what you're saying, makes sense.
Still, I believe there is room for improvement. Take a look at the attached screenshot.
You can clearly see that in area "2", all cars merge onto one lane while the other 2 lanes stay clear - the vertical road is a highway should it matter.
Also, you can also notice area "1" where a vehicle goes onto lane 2. Why so? You simply don't do this during real life driving(unless you have no experience in driving or are a complete tool lol)

It would make better sense imo to have traffic fill in the lane that is available straight ahead followed by an adjustment later down the road made by each car to enter their lane-to-destination.

 

[Kastle117]

I understand what you're saying, makes sense.
Still, I believe there is room for improvement. Take a look at the attached screenshot.
You can clearly see that in area "2", all cars merge onto one lane while the other 2 lanes stay clear - the vertical road is a highway should it matter.
Also, you can also notice area "1" where a vehicle goes onto lane 2. Why so? You simply don't do this during real life driving(unless you have no experience in driving or are a complete tool lol)

It would make better sense imo to have traffic fill in the lane that is available straight ahead followed by an adjustment later down the road made by each car to enter their lane-to-destination.

Of course, it does make sense! I agree. This could definitely be improved, but I'm just not sure if they're going to worry about it since this has been around since the game's release two years ago. Trust me man, I do want better traffic flow, simulation, mechanics, etc.. I just have to get both sides of the spectrum here: better simulation = more realistic vs. simpler simulation = better performance, although I do think what you described could have a work-around.

Cheers mate,

Kastle117

 

[ristosal]

You can clearly see that in area "2", all cars merge onto one lane while the other 2 lanes stay clear - the vertical road is a highway should it matter.
Also, you can also notice area "1" where a vehicle goes onto lane 2. Why so? You simply don't do this during real life driving(unless you have no experience in driving or are a complete tool lol)

In this game, on highways the rightmost lane is basically for short distances, leaving and merging. If you observe any highway interchange you'll see cars clearing that lane to avoid congestion, if they're going straight. That said, the kind of merge in "2" should be an exception and I don't know why cars are doing that. I would expect "1" to have joined from the right side, and in that case the move would be completely logical.

There's also a possibility of some disaster of an intersection hiding behind that chirper feed...