[z]

If the config tool is installed in your C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86) folder, then you'll run into problems with the tool being able to write backups and save its own internal config (like options/where to look for the .dat file) because it tries to save these things inside the program directory.  Windows Vista and 7 actually enforce the idea that the Program Files directory is for programs, not data, and these areas are owned by the system with no user access (which is why UAC kicks in when you try to install something new - remember that on Vista/7 even if you're an administrator, you do not run with administrator privileges by default).  When you run the tool and it tries to write back to a folder under C:\Program Files to do its work, the write operation fails.  I think Java pretty much ignores the error, so it looks like the program ran properly, but of course the settings don't actually get saved and if you dig through your system logs you'll find the root cause staring right back at you with a nice, fat "access denied" error.

The simplest solution is to locate the folder where the TSCT is installed and to change its security settings (right-click the folder, select Properties, go to the Security tab) to allow the "Users" group Modify/Write access to the folder.  The other option is to remove the TSCT from the Program Files directory and install it to its own folder directly under the C: drive - you may be able to just move the entire folder, as it is a Java program and likely won't break so long as you keep it in one piece.  Just remember to modify your shortcuts to point to the new location.

I hadn't heard of this happening before, but your explanation makes perfect sense.  (Similar problems have been encountered with the DAMN menus.)  Your two alternate solutions should also work equally well.

[Asgurd]

Hello everyone,

I enjoy very much that pack of awesomeness that is the Z simulator but I'm eager for more.
I would like to know if there was a way to further customize the Z-simulator than with the TSCS.

For instance I wish to be able to edit my network capacity to have street with a 1000 capacity while having highway with 60000 capacity (just an example), or I wish to set the speed of the various networks, just to experiment a bit.

Also about buses did I understand correctly the readme when it said that basically, when you check on "buses contributes to traffic", each bus passenger count as a car ?

[z]

I enjoy very much that pack of awesomeness that is the Z simulator but I'm eager for more.
I would like to know if there was a way to further customize the Z-simulator than with the TSCS.

Well, anyone can modify the traffic simulator with Ilive's Reader, but this is not recommended, nor is such a modified traffic simulator supported by the NAM Team.  The Traffic Simulator Configuration Tool was constructed specifically to allow players to change those properties in the traffic simulator which were either completely safe to modify, and really reflected the player's preference, or which might have a slight negative effect, but one which was well-known, limited, and documented in the TSCT.

For instance I wish to be able to edit my network capacity to have street with a 1000 capacity while having highway with 60000 capacity (just an example), or I wish to set the speed of the various networks, just to experiment a bit.

The speeds of the networks need to be pretty much what they are; otherwise, things tend to break, often in unpredictable or unexpected ways.  Most commonly, adjusting the speeds to something different from what they currently are will tend to result in increased dilapidation and abandonment due to commute time.

As for the network capacities, these generally have a lot less of an effect on the game than most people think.  But to avoid problems, it is important to keep the ratios of the various network capacities approximately the same.  This is why you can adjust the overall capacity level, but not individual network capacities.  The Network Capacity Multiplier in the TSCT gives you additional flexibility in this area.

Also about buses did I understand correctly the readme when it said that basically, when you check on "buses contributes to traffic", each bus passenger count as a car ?

Yes, that is correct.  In that sense, it merely makes buses act the same as other travel types, such as trains and subways.  All vehicles in SC4 are single-passenger; this is true because in reality, vehicles are just an abstraction in SC4.  There are actually only Sims acting like vehicles.  For this reason, no mass transit vehicle will ever stop at intermediate stops, since it consists of just a single Sim.

For buses, the only alternative to having them count as traffic, the same as cars, is having them not count at all (which is what the original game does).  This turns out to be even more unrealistic, and reduces the accuracy of the traffic simulation (sometimes significantly).

[Asgurd]

Thanks, I guess I'll experiment with it later when I'm more comfortable with the transit system.

[z]

Thanks, I guess I'll experiment with it later when I'm more comfortable with the transit system.

If you really want to learn more about the workings of the traffic simulator, I'd recommend A Guide to the Operation of the Traffic Simulator.