Difference between revisions of "Self-regulating Network"
From #openttdcoop wiki
(New page: ==Idea== Self-regulating Networks, or SRNW for short, are a type of networks invented by the #Openttdcoop community. The idea behind it is that trains on a network share orders, so there...) |
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==Idea== | ==Idea== | ||
Self-regulating Networks, or SRNW for short, are a type of networks invented by the #Openttdcoop | Self-regulating Networks, or SRNW for short, are a type of networks invented by the #Openttdcoop | ||
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community. The idea behind it is that trains on a network share orders, so there is a group of trains | community. The idea behind it is that trains on a network share orders, so there is a group of trains | ||
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per network and not per station. In theory, this should reduce the overhead of making sure all | per network and not per station. In theory, this should reduce the overhead of making sure all | ||
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stations have the right amount of trains. In practice, even though the network will still be divided, | stations have the right amount of trains. In practice, even though the network will still be divided, | ||
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this proves to be the case. However, it does introduce other issues. | this proves to be the case. However, it does introduce other issues. | ||
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*one or more SRNW-type stations. | *one or more SRNW-type stations. | ||
A model of an SRNW line is shown below. | A model of an SRNW line is shown below. | ||
| − | [[Image:srnwlayout.png]] | + | [[Image:srnwlayout.png|400x|thumb|center|Model of an SRNW line.]] |
For the line to work, there are a few basic but important rules: | For the line to work, there are a few basic but important rules: | ||
*Trains can only get to the drop through a pickup station. | *Trains can only get to the drop through a pickup station. | ||
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==Orders== | ==Orders== | ||
All trains on a line share the same orders. On a standard line, this is just one go-to to the drop | All trains on a line share the same orders. On a standard line, this is just one go-to to the drop | ||
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station. Caution: this order can not be non-stop. | station. Caution: this order can not be non-stop. | ||
When lines share a drop station, every group should get an entry and exit waypoint at the start and | When lines share a drop station, every group should get an entry and exit waypoint at the start and | ||
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end of the non-shared line. | end of the non-shared line. | ||
==Stations== | ==Stations== | ||
The stations of the SRNW are one of its biggest drawbacks. To prevent trains from clogging the first | The stations of the SRNW are one of its biggest drawbacks. To prevent trains from clogging the first | ||
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station and driving around empty, stations should only let trains enter when there is a full load | station and driving around empty, stations should only let trains enter when there is a full load | ||
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waiting. To solve this problem, all trains have a waiting bay. This ensures that when there is a full | waiting. To solve this problem, all trains have a waiting bay. This ensures that when there is a full | ||
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load, there is a train to transport it. Furthermore, all stations have a dummy train. This dummy | load, there is a train to transport it. Furthermore, all stations have a dummy train. This dummy | ||
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full-loads, blocking the waiting train. Only when it is full and moves away to unload can a train | full-loads, blocking the waiting train. Only when it is full and moves away to unload can a train | ||
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enter the station and pickup the cargo. Even though this works, it does prove to be quite a hassle, | enter the station and pickup the cargo. Even though this works, it does prove to be quite a hassle, | ||
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especially for larger stations. | especially for larger stations. | ||
This is an example of a simple SRNW station with one platform. | This is an example of a simple SRNW station with one platform. | ||
[[Image:Srnwstation.png]] | [[Image:Srnwstation.png]] | ||
A special note on the pathfinding trap: sometimes trains refuse to enter the station. This | A special note on the pathfinding trap: sometimes trains refuse to enter the station. This | ||
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construction fools the pathfinder into thinking it can reach the drop station by driving through | construction fools the pathfinder into thinking it can reach the drop station by driving through | ||
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there. Can be required on lines with a roro station or a non-reversing overflow (aka continuous | there. Can be required on lines with a roro station or a non-reversing overflow (aka continuous | ||
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track). | track). | ||
Also, when the production grows, so should the station. This can lead to huge constructions, as | Also, when the production grows, so should the station. This can lead to huge constructions, as | ||
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demonstrated below by Mark. | demonstrated below by Mark. | ||
[[Image:Srnwstationbig.png]] | [[Image:Srnwstationbig.png]] | ||
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==Injection== | ==Injection== | ||
Injection is the system of re-introducing trains to the network. Trains from a depot, and therefore | Injection is the system of re-introducing trains to the network. Trains from a depot, and therefore | ||
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from the overflow track, are sent back onto the entry track. The easiest way to do this is to release | from the overflow track, are sent back onto the entry track. The easiest way to do this is to release | ||
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a train every X days by using a loop, a station and a little train. | a train every X days by using a loop, a station and a little train. | ||
[[Image:Srnwsimpleinjection.png]] | [[Image:Srnwsimpleinjection.png]] | ||
Revision as of 18:43, 17 February 2009
Idea
Self-regulating Networks, or SRNW for short, are a type of networks invented by the #Openttdcoop community. The idea behind it is that trains on a network share orders, so there is a group of trains per network and not per station. In theory, this should reduce the overhead of making sure all stations have the right amount of trains. In practice, even though the network will still be divided, this proves to be the case. However, it does introduce other issues.
Design
A typical SRNW line will consist of
- a drop station, possibly shared with other line. In this case lines are split with waypoints.
- an entrance track.
- an exit track.
- an overflow track.
- an injection system.
- one or more SRNW-type stations.
A model of an SRNW line is shown below.
For the line to work, there are a few basic but important rules:
- Trains can only get to the drop through a pickup station.
- A train should only enter a pickup station when there is enough cargo to pickup.
- Trains that can not enter a station overflow back to the start.
- New trains should be introduced intermittently.
Orders
All trains on a line share the same orders. On a standard line, this is just one go-to to the drop station. Caution: this order can not be non-stop. When lines share a drop station, every group should get an entry and exit waypoint at the start and end of the non-shared line.
Stations
The stations of the SRNW are one of its biggest drawbacks. To prevent trains from clogging the first
station and driving around empty, stations should only let trains enter when there is a full load
waiting. To solve this problem, all trains have a waiting bay. This ensures that when there is a full
load, there is a train to transport it. Furthermore, all stations have a dummy train. This dummy
full-loads, blocking the waiting train. Only when it is full and moves away to unload can a train
enter the station and pickup the cargo. Even though this works, it does prove to be quite a hassle,
especially for larger stations.
This is an example of a simple SRNW station with one platform.
A special note on the pathfinding trap: sometimes trains refuse to enter the station. This
construction fools the pathfinder into thinking it can reach the drop station by driving through
there. Can be required on lines with a roro station or a non-reversing overflow (aka continuous
track).
Also, when the production grows, so should the station. This can lead to huge constructions, as
demonstrated below by Mark.
Injection
Injection is the system of re-introducing trains to the network. Trains from a depot, and therefore
from the overflow track, are sent back onto the entry track. The easiest way to do this is to release
a train every X days by using a loop, a station and a little train.
This idea can be extended by
- not releasing a new train when one has just overflown. (ODM)
- not releasing a new train when all waiting bays are full. (Osai)
- resetting the train release timer when a train overflows. (Mark)
Above Mark's 18.6 day injectiontimer, combining NOT-gates with actual memory.
Advantages
- A well structured network by design.
- High efficiency.
- Keeping the amount of trains right just by checking the depot stock.
Disadvantages
- Bigger stations are hard to build.
- Takes up quite some space.
- Only transports a few cargotypes.
