Solving Gridlock: Road Hierarchy & Zoning
Introduction: Traffic AI
In CS2, Cims are smarter. They change lanes to pass. But they also make "dangerous" U-turns. Bad traffic kills your city. Services (ambulances, hearses) get stuck. Citizens die. Buildings abandon.
The Three Metropolis Challenges
1. Road Hierarchy
Don't connect a dirt road to a 6-lane highway. Arterials: Move traffic across city. Few intersections. No zoning. Collectors: Move traffic from Arterial to Local. Local: Where the houses are.
2. Weaving
When an on-ramp is too close to an off-ramp, cars trying to enter cross cars trying to exit. This causes "X" weaving and stops all lanes. Solution: maximize distance between ramps.
3. Cargo Traffic
Trucks are slow/large. If your industrial zone forces trucks to drive through downtown to get to the highway, gridlock ensues. Solution: Give Industry its own highway spur.
How Otagon Solves Gridlock
Intersection Doctor: Screenshot a jam. Otagon: "Remove the traffic light. Add a dedicated slip lane for right turns. Use the 'Lane Arrows' tool to force the middle lane to go straight only."
Public Transit Design: "Where should I put the Metro?" Otagon: "High Density Res -> Office -> Commercial -> High Density Res. Create a loop or a shuttle line. Don't put stops every block."
Pro Tips
- Roundabouts: They are great for medium traffic. Terrible for heavy traffic (they lock up).
- Public Parking: Cims need parking at their destination. If there is no parking, they circle the block endlessly, causing traffic. Build parking garages.