Network Addon Mod

Back to Installation Instructions.

Make sure you use the “NetworkAddonMod” file in the main ‘Mods folder’, as that is the main Mod file that contains most of the contents.

The information below explains which “…Traffic_Plugin_..” files contain what changes. S ee the notes at the end before using any file.

The “…_Traffic_Plugin_...” files in the Traffic Plugin folder have a naming scheme according to the following below:

[IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU ONLY USE ONE OF THE “…_Traffic_Plugin_...” FILES, & ONE ONLY].

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“..._BetterPathfinding_...” = A balanced Pathfinding: 0.0465

“..._PerfectPathfinding_...” = Accurate Pathfinding to the Maximum: 0.003

“…_2xCapacity_...” = Standard Capacity values x 2.

“…_5xCapacity_...” = Standard Capacity values x 5.

“…_10xCommute_...” = Standard Maximum Commute Allowed x 10 [This includes Maximum Commute Allowed via Mass Transit Commuting].

“…_10xSpeeds_…” = Standard Speed values x 10 [the Exception to this is the Walking Speeds, which has been capped to try & prevent any cross-city Pedestrian commuting].

“…_Standard” = Default Maxis values, except for the following:

-Monorail has been changed, so that it no longer creates Air Pollution.

To help towards enabling functionality for the ANT network item, the following changes for the ANT network contained in the “…_Standard” file are as follows:

-Capacity: 2000

-Speeds [for the following Travel Types];

-Walk: 0

-Car: 80

-Bus: 90

-Truck: 80

Apart from these changes for the “…_Standard” file, nothing else has been changed [i.e. everything else contains Maxis default values].

Radical_Custom_Special

Seeing as how there are people who still have issues with commute time, among a number of things, there’s now been included a special custom Traffic Plugin file;

“…._Radical_Custom_Special” = contains the following changes [original Maxis game values are in brackets () - where applicable];

General Changes;

Commute trip maximum time allowed; 120 (6)

Maximum Mass Transit Strategy Trip Length; 80 (4)

Commute Graph has been modified to take into account the above.

Pathfinding Heuristic; 0.003500 (0.090000)

Monorail does not cause pollution.

Network Capacities;

Road; 5,000 (1000)

Rail; 10,000 (3000)

Raised Highway; 50,000 (4000)

Street; 1,000 (100)

Avenues; 20,000 (2500)

Subway; 10,000 (3000)

Elevated Rail; 10,000 (3000)

Monorail; 10,000 (3000)

OneWayRoads; 10,000 (2000)

Additional Network Tool [aka ANT]; 15,000 (0)

Ground Highway; 50,000 (4000)

Using the “..._Radical_Custom_Special” Traffic Plugin file, it is highly suggested that you load cities; run them for awhile, while still playing of course; load other cities too though, run them for awhile etc, so that everything can be updated (NOTE: The Commute Graph should be ignored for quite awhile, till everything can be updated).

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NOTES

The file names explain what files contain what changes & are all based on the “…_Standard” file. If a file name contains two [or more] of the above names, then that means it contains those changes as detailed above.

A lower Pathfinding Heuristic value means more strain on your computer [i.e. go slower], especially with bigger cities and more traffic; longer times between cycles/updates, but it means a more accurate Pathfinding for travelling Sims.

Regarding “Commute”: An increase in this actually increases the Maximum Commute Allowed. What this does is allow Sims to travel/search further when they’re commuting. It will not [completely, if at all] solve “No Job Zots” issues. It never has, never can, and never will.

With any of the “..Traffic..” files; when you decide on one or if you change between files, be sure to let the game run for awhile so that everything can be updated [I would recommend 12 game months at least] to make sure everything is updated.

Regarding the “_Radical_Custom_Special” file:

This file is a special custom Traffic Plugin. The main reason it has been included is because a great deal of people still seem to have issues with Commute times. So please note; that if you still have trouble with No Job Zots with using this custom Traffic Plugin file after awhile; then it is highly recommended that you take a look at how you are managing your cities (See note above Regarding Commute).

Caution: Because of the extreme changes involved in the “.._Radical_Custom_Special” file, be careful when using the Route Query Tool as it may severally slow down, &/or temporarily freeze, the game &/or computer if you click on a section of network where there exists a high number of commuters. The better the computer (namely more CPU), the less of a problem this will be (typically).

File Last Updated: Monday, 30 August 2004