Terrible Traffic AI! Only using 1 lane??

[Pigzit]

Hey, so I am playing skylines and getting tons of traffic thats for a stupid reason, and it is all because of this. My highways (3 lane) are being covered in traffic because the stupid AI cars are only using the left lane, even though the right lane and middle lane will get them where they want to go! Can anyone recoomend a mod or something to fix this? Ive tried Network Extensions and using 6 lane roads but same thing happens. Thanks.

[WabbaCat]

thats probally not a result of stupid traffic AI, its more likely bad road management on your part.
Granted, the traffic AI is still stupid.... but to say anything for sure, you should probally post a picture.

Using a mod to fix this is not recommended as it will likely result in you never understanding how traffic works.

[n00B]

As the word sais ARTIFICIAL intelligence.... what cities skylines needs is a driving school (mod)

[Pops]

What some players need to have is a "how to manage roads" mod. Traffic AI is not broken, you need to learn how to manage your road systems better. Read up on the guides and learn.

[Twilight]

Also what is needed, is a 'how to search the forum' skill because this is the x-th time the topic is brought up.

[ZiTEN9]

AI does stupit. However also you may want to take a look how other players manger their roads as a reference. With some road managemnet skills involed, the traffic will be different.

[Arthanas]

"The AI is retarded but if you work around the retarded AI instead of common sense then things will work"

[Phoenix C64]

There is no "AI"

There is a simple routine that calculates route from A to B once, before leaving. It never calculates again unless you demo something that forces a route change. So, there is no AI.

If cars only use 1 lane then it is your fault because all of those want to go to the same place and you only gave them one option to get there.

Morale of the story: make more entry/exits and don't make huge zones with only resi/comm or ind. mix them up and make more smaller districts thst are better connected.

[fatfluffycat]

Originally posted by Bowser from Sonic:

"The AI is retarded but if you work around the retarded AI instead of common sense then things will work"

Pretty much.

[OneJasonBradly]

I use NetworkExtentions to help stop "single lane back-up". Before using this mod it could help to understand the traffic in this game. Single lane traffic is “the result” of an issue it is not the issue itself. The single lane traffic is "trying" to point out an issue for you ( in the only way it can) So the backed-up traffic that is spilling onto your highways in a single lane is not the issue. What is at the end or should I say beginning of the back-up “IS” the issue. Most of my issues that cause SLB (single lane back-up) are at intersections. Though it is not the only reason for SLB. High volume, tight turns, lanes that have two or more directions on them are just some things that may cause it. The trick is to recognize SLB when it’s a short line and try to solve them then. Instead of ignoring them thinking traffics bugged. Or waiting so long that the original issue is now mixed in a sea of reacting issues.

As someone else has suggested put up a few screens of the affected area in traffic view and we can give better suggestions/opinions.

The clip below was a six-lane one-way in which the “only traffic” on it was two very long SLB’s one on either side of the road. Only the two lanes that had turn arrows on them were being used(four middle lanes empty). As well a bus line that would jump across all six lanes at once to make its lane before an intersection. After moving or cancelling some bus stops to eliminate the lane jumping. I experimented(tried several ideas) with three and four lane one-way roads to create TURN ONLY lanes at SOME intersections so they (the traffic) would sort themselves out according to the upcoming intersections. I was so proud of the result I recorded the clip.

I would like to make a clip on the before, the fix and the after. At the moment Im trying to make a clip on traffic stalling on roads.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=776084563

Single Lane Back-ups are a real world issue. We call them traffic jams. The reason they look so different in the game is there is no personality traits like aggressive drivers to clog the remaining lanes like they do in real life.

[WabbaCat]

well.. we all agree that the AI is messed up... but thats only in the sense that its done in a way that we dont like. The fact that it DOES work and works well when you understand it, is the proof of this.
Any system you use is gonna have its flaws. So ya gotta take personal opinions on it with a grain of salt.

I think the biggest issue with traffic in this game tho, is identifying problems PROPERLY.
If your fixing an issue, it helps to know the route cause of the issue- for example, if that traffic jam is caused by a huge influx of new population, then your ♥♥♥♥ out of luck and nothing you do will fix it... so you just wait it out until traffic normalizes.
Most people will freak out and think their road setup needed fixing, which will likely make the matter worse.

[AngryDragon]

To put it in a few phrases, plan your city so that traffic moves in a circular fashion. Favor situations where the traffic has to turn right or go straight and avoid situations where the traffic has to turn left. Crossing the median is the one thing that will slow down traffic the most. Smaller streets can handle surprisingly high loads if you plan your city properly.

[WabbaCat]

there was very little insult in reply to you, and those that did gave very light insults. Perhaps you should understand what people are saying before making accusations. We understood fine, you want a mod to solve your lack of understanding.... the suggestion is not to do this and for good reason.
I strongly suggest listening to what OneJasonBradly has to say, OR posting some screenshots so we can give more specific advice.

As to why they dont use all the lanes? They DO use all the lanes... you just expect them to use them one way, instead of building your network and connections that support the roads in the way they were meant to be used.
Now, im not an expert on this, but I will try to give advice from what I have observed and whats working for me atm; So someone else please correct what I say if this is wrong.

Traffic will always merge to one side unless it has an exit on the lane it wants to use... if there are multiple exit lanes to the destination, then it will take the shortest calculated route. This may mean skipping other routes and is the problem you are observing. Unfortunately, this also means you will have chokes on key spots with traffic lanes being ignored because the cars keep trying to go one set route.
Now that its become clear that you want to avoid redoing your city,... all I can tell you is that you should give up and start over anyhow. What you describe as an ugly ass grid, sounds very sub-optimal. Alternatively, you can give us screenshots and we can direct you on what the problem is and how to solve it.

However, if you STILL insist on solving your issue with mods- then I suggest checking out the workshop. The mod "Traffic++" I think?

[Pops]

Try to understand that just because there are 3 lanes that will get them to their destination, the traffic will only use the shortest route, (usually means the 1 lane). They won't change lanes just to pass another vehicle going to same exit. The AI will always use the shortest route. It's up to you, (the road builder), to offer more exits to different sections of your city.

One suggestion, try having an exit inbetween the 2 highway roads going up and over or down and under, this will help get some into the inside lane.

There is no mod that will direct traffic.

[grapplehoeker]

My traffic uses all lanes and has always used all lanes. No mod necessary.
March 2015,
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=410839524