Topic: passenger distribution at parallel lines

[wipi35]

In a recent game I ran into problems with two raillines connecting the same cities. To demonstrate this I made a small map with the same structure.

There are 5 cities: A, B, C, D, E and they are served by a couple of low speed trains stopping at each city.
To solve an overload I made a high speed trainconnection from A to E, with an intermediate stop at a 2nd station in city C. Between this HS Station and the Central Station there exists a shuttlebus.
The problem is that the HS train leaves station A with a load of 110/792  passengers for station E and none  for station C, although there are some 1350 passengers waiting for destination C.
Is this behaviour understood and can it be avoided?

Using R2585 with Pak 128/ 697

Screenshot:
http://simutrans-germany.com/files/upload/simscr27.png
Savegame:
http://simutrans-germany.com/files/upload/T51.sve

[Dwachs]

At least this is the expected behavior: passengers are waiting for the train that serves the direct connection. They will never get on the train that forces them to interchange.

Passengers (and all goods) always take the route with the fewest number of interchanges.

(*) this is somehow different in simutrans experimental.

[jamespetts]

Wipi,

try it in Simutrans-Experimental. There, passengers will take the fastest route, not necessarily that with the fewest changes.

[prissi]

There is still some todo feature in standard to consider routes with the fewest intermediate stops as the fastest, although this effort was never finished.

[z9999]

Intermediate stops will work, at least in my test version.
But in this case, "A CS->C HSL-Station->C CS" and "A CS->B CS->C CS" is the same number. This result is by chance.
And also, "A CS->C HSL-Station->D CS" or "A CS->E CS->D CS" might happen.
So, intermediate stops is not effective for this case.

[jamespetts]

Z9999,

are you referring to Standard or Experimental?

[Severous]

wipi35

Try taking 'c' out of the schedule for the low speed trains.  

Or make the bus serving 'c' only go to the high speed train station.  That will make the majority passengers for c have to travel via the high speed line.

[wipi35]

Try taking 'c' out of the schedule for the low speed trains. 

I did. But the consequence is that passengers from C to D must take the HSL to E and then travel backwards to D

Or make the bus serving 'c' only go to the high speed train station.  That will make the majority passengers for c have to travel via the high speed line.

This suggestion is worth trying.
Thanks for the comment.

[Severous]

wipi35

No. Thank you.  Its interesting when players share their problems like you have.  Ive never created anything like this set up before so its nice to download and have a look.

Another option, which I think is quite realistic and may appeal to you.  Change the bus shuttle between the two stations.  So that it instead serves the city. ie the shuttle runs from high speed rail right into the city. By providing a direct link from the high speed station to town it cuts out a change. Passengers from the ends, A and E now have equal choice..take the slow train or the fast train..each has one change onto a bus to get into c.


The screenshot shows the effect within seconds of making the change. Both trains have passengers for 'c'.

Ive added a bit of road to make the bus shuttle from High speed to city work.  Two bridges over the railway and a couple of stops to complete the city coverage and increase profit.



Edit: Added more trains to clear the backlogs at B and D.  Then changed the buses again at C.  There is now no bus route from the low speed train station to the city. All passengers at A and E will come to C via High speed.  Passengers from B & D have a choice...come into C on low speed and change buses twice at c (bus from low to high speed platforms then shuttle into city) or they go to A or E to pick up the high speed to C and one bus into the city.  The result is more passengers on high speed...maybe enough for a second train