AI Drivers Failing Me

AdvancedApproach

Active member
On some of my older releases I could have trains run end-to-end on a double track mainline without worrying about them for some reason switching to the other track. That however has been a thorn in my side on my latest release. I put track marks that I have drivers pass through using the drive via command. That hasn't worked so I use the navigate via command. That has worked better but on my other routes they'll switch tracks and cause traffic jams. Auran and N3V Games needs to fix this. I shouldn't have to make all these tweaks to my route just to compensate for AI not being intelligent. Also, I've taken notice of drivers getting stuck while attempting to execute a command. Specifically, getting stuck even when there's no obstacle in their way which forces me to stop their schedule, change the junction direction before instructing them to carry on when I haven't had to do so prior. Yes, it's the designers responsibility to ensure instructions are clear and unequivocal while ensuring the track marks and other route features won't cause chaos or confusion but it doesn't help when you do everything right but still can't compensate for the lack of intelligence. I've gone above and beyond to make life easy for AI Drivers but it hasn't worked out the way I wanted.
 
The software engineer has no control over how you lay the track or place your markers but the train will get from A-B if you leave it to do so even if that means backing up, driving through sidings and so forth. A train will try and take the shortest route from A-B, and you need to use track makers, direction markers etc. to guide it along the specific path you wish it to follow or should I say to avoid the specific path you don't want it to follow. Place tack markers on both forks of turnouts so the train knows if its going left or right where the track splits, where it combines it prevents a train hogging the junction from miles away leaving another stranded for ages until it passes. I appreciate it is frustrating but that's the world of Trainz unfortunately. Peter
 
The software engineer has no control over how you lay the track or place your markers but the train will get from A-B if you leave it to do so even if that means backing up, driving through sidings and so forth. A train will try and take the shortest route from A-B, and you need to use track makers, direction markers etc. to guide it along the specific path you wish it to follow or should I say to avoid the specific path you don't want it to follow. Place tack markers on both forks of turnouts so the train knows if its going left or right where the track splits, where it combines it prevents a train hogging the junction from miles away leaving another stranded for ages until it passes. I appreciate it is frustrating but that's the world of Trainz unfortunately. Peter
What I meant was us users being the designers. Now I've got numerous track marks in both directions but only use certain ones for my locals. The others are starting points for trains not being placed where my route starts on either end. I have eight track marks, four in each direction. Perhaps I need to lay eight in each direction to help my cause. That's what I'll do. Northbound Point 1-8 and Southbound Point 1-8 for the number of cities on my route. Perhaps that'll help the AI Drivers.
 
Use track direction markers at various points to stop trains using that track in the wrong direction. On bends the shortest route might be the wrong side.
 
Perhaps that'll help the AI Drivers.
From my long experience in using the Trainz AI, it needs all the help it can get. Additional trackmarks, direction marks, priority marks (with train priorities assigned), use of the "Drive Via" command are all necessary.

The AI system is not, and never will be, perfect and will probably never live up to everyone's expectations.
 
From my long experience in using the Trainz AI, it needs all the help it can get. Additional trackmarks, direction marks, priority marks (with train priorities assigned), use of the "Drive Via" command are all necessary.

The AI system is not, and never will be, perfect and will probably never live up to everyone's expectations.
I don't expect it to be perfect. What I do expect is to not be broken beyond repair, smart enough to do exactly as I say, not think for itself and allow me power for setting its route. For instance I can edit whatever path it's on. That would be a great feature to have and could be the safeguard against wrong directional traveling.
 
You need to use as many track markers as necessary throughout your routes to enable each train to complete the route you have developed for them. We are all guilty of talking AI in Trainz but it doesn't exist, it is a very comprehensive list of instructions and conditions that Trainz follows the majority of the time but it learns nothing and generally makes the same mistakes over again. Trainz will run the length of a route with few instructions when the points are set for that route but needs help when points needs changing and routes become complicated. No different that directing someone to the pub. My current route equates to about 100 x 30 miles and likely uses a few hundred track markers and the odd train still manages to get it wrong. Watch where your trains go wrong and then provide a little guidance in the form of track markers etc. to help it on the right path, unfortunately the more complicated (closer to reality) your route becomes the more help it will likely need. Peter
 
You need to use as many track markers as necessary throughout your routes to enable each train to complete the route you have developed for them. We are all guilty of talking AI in Trainz but it doesn't exist, it is a very comprehensive list of instructions and conditions that Trainz follows the majority of the time but it learns nothing and generally makes the same mistakes over again. Trainz will run the length of a route with few instructions when the points are set for that route but needs help when points needs changing and routes become complicated. No different that directing someone to the pub. My current route equates to about 100 x 30 miles and likely uses a few hundred track markers and the odd train still manages to get it wrong. Watch where your trains go wrong and then provide a little guidance in the form of track markers etc. to help it on the right path, unfortunately the more complicated (closer to reality) your route becomes the more help it will likely need. Peter
It's at random locations so I'll delete my download link and fix the route tomorrow. I'll delete all but the yard track and installation markers and start from scratch. I had to do that on an older route imported from TANE and there's no problems there. Perhaps being nearly 220 miles in length has a lot to do with that even though it's a low detail straight and level line. I do have four industries and a small yard but still very surprising for me the amount of trouble AI Drivers have on this route compared to my post WWII era line of similar length with twists and turns, one fewer industry and three yards with round houses, albeit small in size, except for my central division point. That one has 43 stalls in all. This'll be frustrating but interesting to fix.
 
Hi

I've been creating AI only sessions for the past 16 years and very quickly understood that if I wanted AI trains to do exactly what I want I needed to give them precise instructions. I do this by setting the path for them and using the Autodrive command which just drives the train and does not attempt to set any paths. By doing this I need very few trackmarks and no direction markers. For the past 8 years I've used the Enhanced Interlocking Towers by P Guy with their associated Rules and Driver Commands and can usually send a train from one end of a route to the other exactly as I want with just a few driver commands.

The downside to this is that there is a learning curve which needs to be overcome. If you go this way, once you have understood what's needed, you'll have no issues with trains wandering about. I spent a week learning how to use this method when I was laid up following a heart attack, although I don't recommend this as a way of learning their use. Once you have added the EITs and their paths any train can use them.

Your route is fairly large but I have used EITs with success on the East Coast Mainline route which is 400 miles long. You don't have to use EITs on the whole route but can just use them at locations that are causing you problems.

If this isn't the solution that you're looking for then I would suggest investigating priority markers to help getting trains through the problem areas.

Regards

Brian
 
Hi

I've been creating AI only sessions for the past 16 years and very quickly understood that if I wanted AI trains to do exactly what I want I needed to give them precise instructions. I do this by setting the path for them and using the Autodrive command which just drives the train and does not attempt to set any paths. By doing this I need very few trackmarks and no direction markers. For the past 8 years I've used the Enhanced Interlocking Towers by P Guy with their associated Rules and Driver Commands and can usually send a train from one end of a route to the other exactly as I want with just a few driver commands.

The downside to this is that there is a learning curve which needs to be overcome. If you go this way, once you have understood what's needed, you'll have no issues with trains wandering about. I spent a week learning how to use this method when I was laid up following a heart attack, although I don't recommend this as a way of learning their use. Once you have added the EITs and their paths any train can use them.

Your route is fairly large but I have used EITs with success on the East Coast Mainline route which is 400 miles long. You don't have to use EITs on the whole route but can just use them at locations that are causing you problems.

If this isn't the solution that you're looking for then I would suggest investigating priority markers to help getting trains through the problem areas.

Regards

Brian
How do you set the path for them? I'll definitely use the autodrive command for this route.
 
How do you set the path for them? I'll definitely use the autodrive command for this route.

Using the mission code manager with EITs I find works really well I find with Cornish Railways, you give each AI driver a mission code then in the manager you set what paths will be set when a train with a certain mission code goes near the tower, mission code Triggers can be used if needed to set the path a further distance away.
 
Using the mission code manager with EITs I find works really well I find with Cornish Railways, you give each AI driver a mission code then in the manager you set what paths will be set when a train with a certain mission code goes near the tower, mission code Triggers can be used if needed to set the path a further distance away.
I abandoned the schedule and used the auto drive through command to a specific track marker. Once that's accomplished they'll drive to a portal on whichever end of the route that train is on.
 
Hi again

You can set the paths either using mission codes as marky7890 says or there are a number of driver commands that can be issued by the AI to set the path ahead. I mainly use mission codes but there are occasions when I need absolute control and so use a direct driver command.

Mission codes give you a certain amount of flexibility as multiple paths from a signal can be given priorities between 1 and 3. In a multi platform station for example you could give a priority of 1 to the platform you want the train to normally use and priority 2 to alternative platform(s). The train will always try to use its normal platform but if this is occupied for some reason it will look to use an alternative platform. This avoids the whole system getting jammed up because a train is sat waiting on the approach line as it has only been told to use a particular platform.

Trains are detected in the platforms by using track circuits to indicate when they are occupied. This all sounds highly complicated, and it is to a degree, but once you master the basics it eventually becomes second nature.

P Guy who has written this system has documentation on the Wiki explaining how it works. He also has some small demo routes on the DLS illustrating how it all goes together. Just search for author "pguy".

Regards

Brian
 
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