Session question: running a number of trains

[jamal17]

i have just finished making a commuter rail system very similar to the MTA: LIRR, SEPTA: Regional rail and MTA: Metro North except this system has 8 branches and now i just want to put the trains that i have for each route to run. my problem is when i put the trains to run to where they're supposed to they get held up in a traffic jam right before the terminus, so now i'm reading about the path control rule and command and im also reading about the trigger check rule which i can use to set junctions. What I want to know is what will be easier to use? the "path control" rule or if i just put down triggers and use the "trigger check" rule to set junctions for every train that runs over a certain trigger? i don't know any other options or any other rules or commands, but i just need and assistance on how to make every train go to where i want them to go without getting in a traffic jam. If any one is good at this please respond and let me know what can i do.

 

[Kennilworth]

Hi

The first question to answer here is why are the trains getting into jams. Is it because there are too many arriving at once some of which need to use the same paths or is it that the paths are complicated and trains get delayed while the AI finds the correct path which then has a knock on effect with other trains. If its the first problem then you need to use driver commands such as "Wait for Hour" and "Wait for Minute" to regulate the flow of trains into and out of the terminus. However if its the second issue then I would recommend the use of one of the Path rules to ensure that paths are set up quickly and with minimal delay.

Most likely you will find that the problem is caused by a mixture of the two. If using the Path rule then don't make the paths too long as they may lock up too much of the network for too long. I found it better to set two or three short paths rather than one long one as they release the first parts of the route earlier. Usually timetabling something like this requires a lot of patience as you will need to make an alteration and then try it all out. Ideally you need to alter one thing at a time otherwise you won't know which change has caused the problem.

I use a mixture of the "Wait for Minute" command and the Path rule. Get the timings right first and then use the Path rule to avoid delays while the AI decides which way it should go. As I said it requires patience to get it right but it is very satisfying to be able to sit back and watch the trains running as they should.

Regards

Brian

 

[jamal17]

the reason why the trains get delayed at the terminus, is almost similar to why trains get held up at penn station or grand central terminal out in NYC. the switches have to be set and while a train is waiting for switches to be set you have another train waiting to behind it with another one behind it and that's my main problem