RHW Interchange Guide - Moved To A New Home! (See the Child Board Above)

[Korot]

Last time I tried, I couldn't drag a road/RHW/whatever through the starter stub, which you, apparently, can. And I'm also quite sure that I do have 3.24 installed, so I my guess would be that it is a feature of RHW 4.0, and that you have an old texture file lying around, somewhere.

Regards,
Korot

[Tarkus]

Actually, all of the post-Version 3.2 fixes released on the RHW thread, including the Version 3.24 patch, are just path fixes.  The issue McDuell has run into is RUL-related, and all RUL fixes are distributed as part of the NAM Controller package (either via the NAM Core, Update or Essentials--all three of which on the LEX contain the same Controller build right now). 

I'm fairly certain that issue was one of the things that was fixed March 7, 2009, as part of the NAM Core update that came out concurrently with Version 3.2.  There's a possibility you may still have a controller with the Version 3.0 RULs (where the RULs still (mis)behave just like in the image) in it somewhere in your Plugins. 

I can confirm, however, that it's definitely fixed with Version 4.0 (though we're still working on color correction on some of the pieces):


-Alex

[McDuell]

I'm sorry for the upstir then, it was my fault. I could have sworn that I was using RHW 3.24 already, but after searching my plugin folder, it was nowhere to be found. So, zonk to me. 

About the parallel MIS, I used a wrong wording. What I meant was not that I'm unable to draw MIS parallel to the RHW, but drawing the MIS directly through the on-slope starter piece, as Korot mentioned.

Haljackey, you're right that I should know better, but based on my errors, I thought that this setup was impossible with the current RHW version. Please take my apologies for that.

P.S:     With the patch 3.24 I succeeded with the overpass as well as with the MIS split.
P.P.S:  Tarkus, if I remember correctly, i made this overpass right after RHW 3.0 has been coming out, so this is an old picture of the pre-3.2 era. This problem has indeed been resolved as I tried it out in the meantime without any issues.

[Haljackey]

Well I'm just glad the problems solved!  Now that its all over with, its back to making more guides!   

Last time I tried, I couldn't drag a road/RHW/whatever through the starter stub, which you, apparently, can. And I'm also quite sure that I do have 3.24 installed, so I my guess would be that it is a feature of RHW 4.0, and that you have an old texture file lying around, somewhere.

I hope the post Alex (Tarkus) helped you out with your issue.  When in doubt, install the latest patches and controller files to make sure you don't have any conflicting files.  Adding an extra tile for a median or overpass connection can't hurt either because they will help to ensure a proper connection.

Remember, the guides I post here are just examples, you don't have to follow them directly.  The objective of these guides is to give you an understanding of RHW interchange construction through helpful text and images. 

[cardwellent]

After looking at the readme for the RHW, I was about ready to say "forget this" and just give up on it. The readme says its a diffucult task. After going through 1 lesseon on a basic diamond exchange, my tune has changed to this is freakin' awesome. I don't know how many of you were involved in the creation of this project but I think you sall should be at major software companies making millions of dollars ( or whatever currency you have in your country.) I haven't seen how to add wide curves on the ramps yet, but I'm sure its here some where. Thanks a million!!!!!!!!

[Haljackey]

Thanks cardwellent! I'm happy that this guide helped you with your RHW issues.  That's what it's here for!   



Section Five:  Dumbbell Interchanges


I wanted to devote a section of this guide for dumbbell interchanges.  It shares many similarities with diamond interchanges (which I showed in section 1) but instead of having intersections where the on/off ramps meet the road, a pair of roundabouts are used. 

Ireland uses dumbbells a lot, particularly on rural, lower capacity roads.  This design is both compact and efficient because traffic does not stop, and they look pretty good in SC4 too.

For all my dumbbell interchange examples, I will be using a road meeting a RHW-4 with a 0 tile median.  It is also important to note that the RHW should overpass the road, not vice versa, because the road expands to contain roundabouts not far from the centre of the interchange.  You will see this in the guides to come.

This will also be a good lead-in to roundabout interchanges, which will come in section 6.



Section 5.1: Basic Dumbbell Interchange

*Since we're already at page 6 of this thread, the starting picture will not be as basic as in earlier pages.  If you have trouble making the setup in the first picture, than I suggest looking at past guides for a detailed start-up.

Drag road.  Construct a RHW overpass over the road like so:


Construct two one-way road roundabouts directly next to the RHW overpass (0 tile gap).
-Refer to your NAM Readme file if you do not know how to construct a one-way road roundabout.


Plop 4 RHW-4 type "A wide" ramps at the edges of the overpass, facing toward the road/roundabouts:


Using the RHW tool, drag MIS from the ramps to the edges of the roundabouts.




Voila, you're done!  Pretty simple eh?  This marks the shortest tutorial in this guide!

...And I'll end it here.  If I made multiple guides per post, this page would get cluttered with images.  You don't want errors and long load times right?   
-Haljackey

[Haljackey]

Section 5.2: Elevated Dumbbell Interchange

This small guide will show you how to build a dumbbell interchange using an El-RHW.  These work best in tight urban areas because they are small, free-flowing interchanges.

Start out by dragging your El-RHW over a road.


Build 2 one-way road roundabouts on either side of the overpass. 
-Unlike the last guide, they do not have to be 0 tiles away from the RHW, but it helps to keep them close to conserve space.


Drag 4 segments of RHW-2 from the roundabouts so that they meet parallel to the El-RHW like so.
-Do not curve the RHW-2 immediately before it intersects the roundabout.  Leave an extra tile or two so the network overrides to on/off ramps correctly.


Plop 4 ground/elevated MIS transitions where the RHW-2s end.  Make sure the white and yellow lines on the MIS align with the El-RHW to ensure a proper connection.
-The RHW-2s should now change into MIS.


Finally, plop 4 El-RHW type "A" ramps where the El-MIS begins to complete the interchange.




...And that's it!  You now have a working, efficient elevated dumbbell interchange!

[Haljackey]

Section 5.3: Sunken Dumbbell Interchange

This one's a little more detailed, as you need to properly grade and slope your interchange.  It results in a very realistic looking interchange.

*Hole digging lots are required for this guide. In addition, using a slope mod is recommended.



Plop a couple hole diggers for sunken to create your trench.


Drag road from them to form the sunken route.


Demolish everything.  Place two road stubs in the sunken segment of land.


Continue to place road stubs to finish your trench.


Demolish the road stubs and drag RHW where they once were.


Drag your road.  Create an on-slope overpass over the sunken RHW.


At the edges of the overpass, create two one-way road roundabouts.
-Its best to leave a 0 tile gap here.


Time to place more road stubs .  Place them from the RHW out to the centre tiles of your roundabouts like so:


Demolish the stubs and drag 4 segments of RHW-2 from the roundabout to the sunken section.
-The remaining road stubs in this image shows where the RHW-2s are level with the RHW.  This may be closer to the roundabouts if you're using a slope mod that is not as restrictive as mine.


Begin to curve your RHW-2s toward the RHW.  This will indicate where to plop your entrance/exit ramps.


Plop 4 RHW-4 type "B" ramps to join the RHW-2s with the RHW.  They should now change to MIS near the ramp.


Redraw your ramps and fix your slopes to complete the interchange.




And you're done!  That's a realistic looking sunken dumbbell interchange! 

Hope you found this guide useful,
-Haljackey

[emgmod]

Great job, as usual. Is a dumbbell interchange for avenues possible?

[j-dub]

Its not impossible, it is possible that it can take more room then the road version. I know Hal knows how to do this. Just a matter of when.

[MandelSoft]

By the way, Haljackey, this is not a roundabout interchange

It's actually a "nickle"-interchange, something you get when you replace a roundabout with a cloverleaf, like this:



Blue = in use
Green = under construction
Red = to be demolished.

Best,
Maarten

[Haljackey]

Great job, as usual. Is a dumbbell interchange for avenues possible?

Its not impossible, it is possible that it can take more room then the road version. I know Hal knows how to do this. Just a matter of when.

That will be the next guide.  I'll be doing one for avenue, but it will not be using avenue roundabouts because their shape in reference to the grid of SC4 will give it an odd appearence.

I'll be using one-way roads to create an avenue dumbbell interchange with a shape similar to this:
-Note the absence of roundabouts.

By the way, Haljackey, this is not a roundabout interchange

Hmm, perhaps that diagram doesn't fully show what I'm planning to construct.

I'm planning on making a guide for making a 1 level rotary (roundabout) interchange similar to that diagram.  A Real Life example follows below:


That one is from the UAE.  Rotary's like that are also common in Massachusetts, USA, in the Cape Cod area.

Of course my example will have far fewer lanes.  I plan to split a RHW 4 into MISs and have one connect to a central RHW-4 which goes around in a circle.  It works best for light traffic intersections.

If you find a diagram that better shows the interchange I am describing, please let me know and I'll replace that image.

[Korot]

I'm planning on making a guide for making a 1 level rotary (roundabout) interchange similar to that diagram.  A Real Life example follows below:

That one is not quite unlike the interchange near Joure, of the A6 and A7, in the Netherlands. Though at Joure, there is one lane less on the roundabout, and 3 of the approaching highways are RHW-4. The fourth road incoming is a normal road, since the interchange also doubles as Joure's access to the highway.

Regards,
Korot

[riiga]

Regarding dumbbell interchanges with avenue roundabouts, wouldn't this do the trick?


It's a bit unrealistic with the turn radius, but that's a trade off you'll have to take to save space. The best of course is a parclo with roundabouts instead of two intersections.

- riiga

[Haljackey]

Yeah, that will work riiga.  Problem is where the one-way roads/MIS meets the avenue roundabout.  You may as well just put an intersection there to save some space.

I'll be showing another way to do it in the next guide.  It will look something like this:


See how there are no roundabouts there?  That's the key for avenue dumbbell interchanges in SC4.

[riiga]

Ah, we've got a bunch of those here in Sweden. I belive they are called "raindrop interchanges", aren't they?

- riiga

[Haljackey]

Section 5.4: Avenue Dumbbell/Raindrop Interchange

As mentioned in the above posts, there are a lot of difficulties to consider when building a dumbbell interchange for avenues.  The workaround: don't use roundabouts! 
-This guide will show you how to create such a junction.  It is also known as a raindrop interchange because in real life each side can look like a drop of water hanging from a faucet without the roundabouts.

I will show how to build this with a sunken route and on the ground level.



Fully Sunken Avenue Dumbbell Interchange

Here is step one.  Construct a sunken RHW and create two one-way road "on-slope" overpasses.  Be sure they are two tiles apart from one-another and everything is facing the right direction.
-See my earlier guides if you do not know how to create a trench for your RHW networks.


Set up your avenue/surface street.  Create a bulge in the gap between your one-way roads by dragging them an additional tile apart on either side.
-Leave 1 tile of uncurved one-way road in the middle.  This is where your on/off ramps will connect.


Connect your one-way roads with your avenue.  Make sure you create a connection between your one-way roads as well.  There are two ways to do this.

1.


2.


I am going to use the second connection style for this guide because, while not as direct, it gives the interchange a distinct, well rounded shape.

Take a pause for a moment to make sure everything is connected in the right direction.  You've now completed the overpass and setup for the ramps.

----------

Now its time to make the ramps.  Drag 4 sections of RHW-2 from the one tile of uncurved one-way road you left.


Create some slopes for your ramps.  Use road stubs and drag parallel sections of RHW-2s to make it as smooth as possible.


Demolish everything but your connecting RHW-2s and curve them toward the RHW.


Plop 4 RHW-4 type "B" ramps to connect with the RHW-2s.
-This picture shows two of the four connections.


Redraw your RHW-2 networks to convert them to your on/off ramps.  Congrats, you completed the interchange!




Sunken to ground Avenue Dumbbell Interchange

This time the only part of the RHW-4 needs to be sunken to create the overpasses for the one-way roads. 
-If this was elevated, the one-way road overpasses would be longer and would make the bulge further away from the RHW.  This would dramatically increase the size of the interchange.
-The setup for the overpass remains the same.


Drag your RHW-4 back up to ground level.
-Remember, this time it is the RHW mainline that is being graded, so the smoother the slope, the more realistic.


Here's a smoother way to slope your RHW, use a bullet train line to create the smooth grade for you.
-The slope mod for the bullet train is one of the smoothest in the game.  It is built into the Bullet Train Mod (BTM), which you can download HERE.


The result is an extremely smooth, realistic slope.  Just compare this to the one made with the RHW slope mod two steps ago!


This time, drag 4 sections of one-way road from the one tile of uncurved one-way road you left diagonally towards your RHW.  Stop curving one tile away from the RHW.


Now, plop 4 RHW-4 type "A wide" ramp pieces where the slope on your RHW ends.  This will vary depending on the slope of your RHW.
-Drag the ramps from the ramp pieces to connect with your one-way roads.
-This picture shows two of the four connections.


Voila!  You're done.  Here's a shot of the interchange from far away:




Anyways, that's it for now.  I hope this guide has inspired you to make some avenue dumbbell/raindrop interchanges!  Their capacity is much higher than standard diamond interchanges and they don't take up much more space.

See you later,
-Haljackey

[RickD]

That is a nice interchange. I have to build one of those.

[Christianicus]

Excellent SPUI tut, Hal.  I was able to do this perfectly the first time through and it familiarized me greatly with the RHW puzzle pieces as well as the TuLEP pieces.  Bang up job, sir!  Thanks a million.  I have been using Maarten's Euro textures and I really like the cleaness of the white and black only highways.  I will be glad when the Euro texured TuLEP comes out.  Not taking anything from your tut or any of the amazing work that has been done by the NAM Team, it was perfect.  Thanks, again.

[threbos]

thanks for SPUI tut.  really cleaned it up for me!  much appreciated!