by scobos

Overview

Yield Lines are temporary extra tracks than run parallel to a ML or SL. The idea is force slow(er) trains to move to the side and allow fast(er) trains to pass.

The Concept

The joiner concept

Often a ML or SL can become slightly jammed by the presence of slower trains. This can happen when trains are out of date and haven't replaced yet, or simply when they are carrying full loads back to a drop on the same line as empty trains. Ideally, we would be able to separate trains to different tracks based on speed. Since currently this is not possible, a theoretical work-around is to separate trains based on Gap Distance.

As a slower train continue down a ML or SL, traffic builds up behind them, but a Gap opens in front of them (as faster trains move ahead). Therefore, we can assume that if there is a large Gap in front of a train, and no Gap behind it, it is probably a slow train. Now the only question is how to sort it.

The Logic

The joiner concept

Q is the Entry Combo Signal that determines whether a train can continue on the ML or must go to the Yield Line (YL). Note the penalty on the YL.

Using Osai's definition of 0 for Green and 1 for Red:

Bold textWhy These Inputs Matter

Pros:

Cons:

Progress on joiners