Dumb AI/Pathfinding?

[NeoKuro]

I just built what I thought was a supply by-pass (IE I turned my 2 track into a 4 track at points where I have a supply point).

The intention being, if I have 1 train needing to top up, another train going the same way can go into a second parallel track and skip by that train (or even fill up simultaneously)

But I just witnessed it in action, and my train was waiting around for the train in front to top up despite a whole track being free >.>

[coenvijge]

Yes. A train, without extra messures, always searches for the shortest route. And all trains of the same line follow the same path.

If you have only one rail line on that part of your lay out there is only one thing you can do: Split your line in two (or more) lines and let each line use a different track at your filling point. In that way you can make a better use of your filling point.

[BHunterSEAL]

You posted a more detailed version of this question in a thread, so I thought I'd reply here for added context--you should learn how to use Waypoints.

Originally posted by NeoKuro:

In an slightly related note (I made a new post/discussion) the AI seems to be super dumb and will not adjust it's routes on the fly. 2 reasons;

1. If you create a station/town bypass track they trains won't take it most of the time because it is slightly further distance than cutting through the station (ofc you run the risk of the train waiting at the station) - Imo a train should avoid stations AT ALL COSTS unless told to stop there (or there is no other way around - within reason - the train shouldn't travel an extra 500km to bypass a station, an extra 20km though? Fine - perhaps a route-customizable setting?)

They won't take a bypass that adds distance by default, but you can easily force a line to incorporate a bypass using a waypoint. Just click on the bypass to create one while editing a route and, if needed, reorder it in the route station list. If you want to use the same bypass on the return trip, add the waypoint and reorder to specify that as well.

Originally posted by NeoKuro:

2. AI seems to just hate bypasses/parallelisation in general. I turned my 2 track into a 4 track segment where there are supply towers (to reduce trains waiting for one in front to finish topping up water etc - or to top up at the same time). But I just watched one of my trains waiting for the training for the train in front to finish supplying despite an entire track going the same direction being free :')

Other than at station gridirons, trains won't automatically reroute to avoid waiting trains (supply tower or otherwise). You can reduce the frequency of this happening by using different waypoints for different lines. For example, Line A goes North on Track 2 and south on Track 1 while Line B uses Tracks 3/4. Alternatively, if you have parallel tracks with a supply tower, create a bypass that is not parallel (to avoid connection with the tower) and have trains use it in alternating directions. That is, Line A bypasses the tower when Northbound but passes through it while Southbound, with the opposite true for Line B. That ensures A and B will never have the situation you described.

Not disagreeing that manual signals are badly needed or that more automatic pathfinding would be helpful, just pointing out you can solve basic issues like this through the use of waypoints.

[Tsubame ⭐]

There is no dynamic pathfinding other than at station crossover tracks.

You can reroute lines with waypoints and platform assignments, but if these are also blocked, then trains will be stuck there until the tracks are free.

[Adekyn]

This should help:
https://youtu.be/sUDzlVgn968

[NeoKuro]

Originally posted by BHunterSEAL:

You posted a more detailed version of this question in a thread, so I thought I'd reply here for added context--you should learn how to use Waypoints.

Originally posted by NeoKuro:

In an slightly related note (I made a new post/discussion) the AI seems to be super dumb and will not adjust it's routes on the fly. 2 reasons;

1. If you create a station/town bypass track they trains won't take it most of the time because it is slightly further distance than cutting through the station (ofc you run the risk of the train waiting at the station) - Imo a train should avoid stations AT ALL COSTS unless told to stop there (or there is no other way around - within reason - the train shouldn't travel an extra 500km to bypass a station, an extra 20km though? Fine - perhaps a route-customizable setting?)

They won't take a bypass that adds distance by default, but you can easily force a line to incorporate a bypass using a waypoint. Just click on the bypass to create one while editing a route and, if needed, reorder it in the route station list. If you want to use the same bypass on the return trip, add the waypoint and reorder to specify that as well.

Originally posted by NeoKuro:

2. AI seems to just hate bypasses/parallelisation in general. I turned my 2 track into a 4 track segment where there are supply towers (to reduce trains waiting for one in front to finish topping up water etc - or to top up at the same time). But I just watched one of my trains waiting for the training for the train in front to finish supplying despite an entire track going the same direction being free :')

Other than at station gridirons, trains won't automatically reroute to avoid waiting trains (supply tower or otherwise). You can reduce the frequency of this happening by using different waypoints for different lines. For example, Line A goes North on Track 2 and south on Track 1 while Line B uses Tracks 3/4. Alternatively, if you have parallel tracks with a supply tower, create a bypass that is not parallel (to avoid connection with the tower) and have trains use it in alternating directions. That is, Line A bypasses the tower when Northbound but passes through it while Southbound, with the opposite true for Line B. That ensures A and B will never have the situation you described.

Not disagreeing that manual signals are badly needed or that more automatic pathfinding would be helpful, just pointing out you can solve basic issues like this through the use of waypoints.

Thanks, yeah I don't want to define waypoints because it just sort of kicks the can down the road. I don't see why trains couldn't re-path en-route to reduce congestion. Would allow much more interesting tracks :(

[RolandBP]

Originally posted by Adekyn:

This should help:
https://youtu.be/sUDzlVgn968

Hi, I tried to add a waypoint While editing a route I left clicked on the track I wanted the train to use but no waypoint was added.
What am I doing wrong?

[coenvijge]

Originally posted by RolandBP:

What am I doing wrong?

Hard to say mostly, and impossible without additional information. But, in general, when a waypoint can't be placed on a track it's (like it is the case with stations that can't be made active on a rail line) due to the fact that the waypoint can't be reached. And on it's turn this can be caused by a (small) missing connection or wrong direction of the tracks.
Keep in mind that the game places the waypoints 'at the end of the list', but they must be 'reacheble' from the previous point. In the case of editing it can be necessairy to move the waypoint to the correct place in the list.

[RolandBP]

Originally posted by coenvijge:

Originally posted by RolandBP:

What am I doing wrong?

Hard to say mostly, and impossible without additional information. But, in general, when a waypoint can't be placed on a track it's (like it is the case with stations that can't be made active on a rail line) due to the fact that the waypoint can't be reached. And on it's turn this can be caused by a (small) missing connection or wrong direction of the tracks.
Keep in mind that the game places the waypoints 'at the end of the list', but they must be 'reacheble' from the previous point. In the case of editing it can be necessairy to move the waypoint to the correct place in the list.

Thanks for your reply.
I took a closer look at my route and discovered there was a very short break in a section of track where I had added a bypass. I had to delete the track either side of it and relay it.
All working fine now.

[coenvijge]