Track Direction and AI?

[boleyd]

Is track direction still critical to the operation of AI in Trainz 2010-44088?

Are there any specific consequences, or is it unpredictable, for how AI reacts to track direction?

Any way to fix significant amounts of track that have conflicting directions(red markers)? In this case will a yellow marker set direction even over opposing red markers?
Regards,
Dick

 

[fran1]

Q1. No.
Q2. The red markers are trackmarks, I dont think it matters which way they are, yellow are track direction marks it does matter which way they are.

 

[boleyd]

My problem is how much an "impact" does all this have on the expected operation of AI trains. If that effect has been eliminated then all is well and I can move on.
Thanks

 

[ApproachMedium]

It has an effect on your signals. At least as far as it appears on my routes. Signals for trains heading the the direction of the track will always show a green or yellow signal, whereas signals in the opposite direction of you're track direction will display a red signal until a train is approaching. Nothing operationally critical as far as I can tell, but it's more prototypical.

Also, in regards to you're question about track markers. They are not directionally dependent, they do however show which direction your track has been laid, so will a freight car or loco placed on the track.

My recommendation would be lay all of your track in the same direction just to avoid potential conflicts, especially in yard or industrial areas where there a lot of junctions. Always assume the AI's will do whatever they feel like.

In terms of correcting the direction of track, I will usually just go section by section and delete track and reconnect it at the appropriate spline points. Works incredibly well, even in yards.

Hope that helps a little.

-Joe

 

[trev999]

Any way to fix significant amounts of track that have conflicting directions(red markers)? In this case will a yellow marker set direction even over opposing red markers?

Dick

Hi Dick - I read that to reverse a stretch of track, insert a spline point in the middle and then delete it. I tried this in TRS2004 and it worked. Haven't tried it in 2010.

Before you do this, make sure you have a secure copy of the map, as deleting a spline point usually takes out trackside objects like signals etc, and I don't want you crying to me that your route is messed up.

My 2010 is too new for me to have any advice on whether the AI behaves badly, however, I just tried something and was surprised at the result:

I was driving a train manually across a junction towards a trackmark. I then clicked on the driver schedule and told the train to navigate to the trackmark. It stopped, reversed back over the junction and then went forward again and stopped at the trackmark.

I don't know what the track directions were but if they are mixed up then the AI is still stupid.

Cheers - Trevor

 

[boleyd]

I am going to try the ignore track direction tactic on the hope that Auran has made it a non-issue in the latest versions. I would hate to have to check a hundred miles of track or an extreme yard for direction of track. That would drive me back to FSX (flight) or maybe even as far down as RW. Since I have no strong interest in driving a train modeling a railroad is my prime objective.

 

[stagecoach]

Ive never bothered with direction of track even though in general I lay as im going. As said when you place any track object it may face the wrong way on the track. Just simply turn the object around to face the right way.