[Tarkus]

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TuLEP stands for Turning Lane Extension Pieces (or Project).  As one might guess from the name, the project extends the turn lane capacities of the game's car-based transit-networks.  More specifically, it will involve the creation of a number of modularized turn lane setups in the form of puzzle pieces, allowing the end user greater customization with regards to lane control at intersections between surface streets. 

The initial idea behind this project came from two places: 1) an initial attempt at this sort of thing made by Chrno (the developer of the Avenue Wide-Radius Curves) with the existing NAM Avenue Turn Lane setup, 2) sheer necessity--I needed them to properly construct the SPUI Interchanges that were introduced in RealHighway Version 4.0.

TuLEPs Basic is included as an option in the Network Addon Mod, beginning with Version 28 (May 2010).  It was expanded in Version 30 (September 2011).  Also planned is TuLEPs Advanced, a more expansive set that will be incrementally expanded over time, intended for advanced users desiring more options.  A TuLEP system for the 6-lane Avenue is also included in the Network Widening Mod (NWM), and there will eventually be TuLEP pieces for select RealHighway (RHW) networks that have at-grade intersections.
Please note: TuLEPs development is currently on hiatus.  It will be revisited following the completion of the RealHighway "Project 57" upgrade.

Post updated 06/24/2012

Downloads
TuLEPs Basic is a Core Component of the Network Addon Mod.  Just select the "Turning Lane Extension Plugin" option on the installer.
None at the moment.



Optional Addons

Name	Author	Release Date (M/D/Y)	Description
SFBT Euro Road Textures Mod	SFBT & NAM Teams	09/29/2010	The popular SFBT Euro mod includes Euro textures by mrtnrln and riiga for the TuLEPs Basic pieces currently included in NAM Version 29.
TuLEP Cosmetic Mod	Shadow Assassin	05/16/2011	Australian-style textures for TuLEPs, including dashed-line crosswalks and concrete dividers on Avenue TuLEPs.
TuLEPs Texture Mod	Nego	05/17/2011	A North American-style texture mod which adds center crosshatching on TuLEPs transitions.
TuLEP ONLY Marking Cosmetic Mod	Blue Lightning	05/20/2011	Adds the word "ONLY" to the arrows on TuLEPs--now a full version including markings for Avenue TuLEPs.

Tutorials
There are currently no tutorials covering the Turn Lane Extension Pieces, though FAQ Item #3 may prove informative in the meanwhile.

FAQ
1. When is this getting released?
2. What networks are planned to receive TuLEP pieces?
3. How will TuLEP pieces work?
4. How many of these pieces are you guys going to make?
5.  How will the project be released?
6.  Are diagonals or curved TuLEPs planned?
7.  Are TuLEPs Left-Hand Drive (LHD) compatible?
8.  Will there be Right Turn Lanes?  Or Slip Lanes?
9.  Why are some of the pieces I've seen in this thread not included in the Basic TuLEPs set?
10.  What is happening with Euro textures?
11. Will TuLEPs actually affect the functional capacity on my networks?
12.  Why are you using a puzzle piece approach rather than expanding on the existing draggable Turn Lane functionality in the NAM?
13.  What about roundabouts?

1. When is this getting released?

An initial, "basic" set of TuLEPs has been incorporated into the NAM as of the May 2010 release.  With regards to future TuLEPs content, like all other NAM Team projects, there is no release date or timeline for release. 

2. What networks are planned to receive TuLEP pieces?

Currently, TuLEPs only exist for the following networks:
-Road
-Avenue
-TLA-7 (in Network Widening Mod)
-AVE-6 (in Network Widening Mod)

Note: The Road and Avenue TuLEPs are designed in such a way that they can be used on the following networks in the Network Widening Mod:
-TLA-3
-AVE-2
-ARD-3
-TLA-5

The following are planned to receive TuLEPs in the future:

-One-Way Road (slip lane interfaces already exist)
-RHW-2 (in RHW mod)
-RHW-4 (in RHW mod)
-MIS Ramp (in RHW mod)
-OWS-1 (in NWM mod)
-OWR-3 (in NWM mod)
-OWR-4 (in NWM mod)
-OWR-5 (in NWM mod)
-MAVE-4 (in NWM mod)
-MAVE-6 (in NWM mod)

3. How do TuLEP pieces work?

The TuLEP system involves a series of modular puzzle pieces that comprise different parts and configurations of turn lanes and lane control setups. These can then be assembled to create turn lanes of virtually any length.

Much like with the MIS Ramp Interfaces in the RHW mod, there will be different "Types" of TuLEP pieces (or "TuLEPs").  There will be several generic types that refer to the basic width/orientation of the turn lane setup on the network--i.e. Avenue Type A, Avenue Type B, etc.  Specific turn lane setups falling under these width/orientation categories will be marked numerically, i.e. Avenue Type B1--the Avenue Dual-Turn Lane setup.

The intersections for the TuLEPs are puzzle piece-based as well, and will be labeled such that you know which TuLEP pieces can be connected to it.  The intersections show "ghost arrows" as well, allowing for quick reference after you place the piece.  The pieces are intended to be functional rather than just strictly cosmetic, such that you can better control lane functionality in your cities.

Just place the TuLEPs over top of your existing networks and intersections.

4. How many of these pieces are you guys going to make?

Unknown at this point, but it can keep going for quite a long time.  Ultimately, the project's structure is very conducive to releases in small phases.

5.  How will the project be released?

The TuLEPs Basic set currently exists as an optional plugin included in the NAM--contrary to popular misconception, TuLEPs Basic is not part of the NWM, though the TLA-7/AVE-6 TuLEPs are.

6.  Are diagonals or curved TuLEPs planned?

Diagonals are planned for eventual inclusion.  Curved setups will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

7.  Are TuLEPs Left-Hand Drive (LHD) compatible?

Yes, they are.

8.  Will there be Right Turn Lanes?  Or Slip Lanes?

Yes and yes.  See Page 5 for the initial details.  Slip Lanes are included in the initial TuLEPs Basic set in the NAM.  Right Turn Lanes will be in a future TuLEPs Advanced release.

9.  Why are some of the pieces I've seen in this thread not included in the Basic TuLEPs set?

These are most likely pieces that are in development for the future TuLEPs Advanced set.

10. What is happening with Euro textures?

mrtnrln and riiga released a Euro TRM (Texture Replacement Mod) for the NWM and TuLEPs on August 15, 2010.  It has since been merged into the SFBT Euro Road Textures Mod.

11. Will TuLEPs actually affect the functional capacity on my networks?

It depends on the configuration of the pieces and how they lay on the grid, but generally speaking, most will increase capacity.  The pieces are generally designed to as closely approximate the functional aspects of turn lanes (capacity and lane control) as feasibly possible within the constraints of SimCity 4 traffic simulation.

12. Why are you using a puzzle piece approach rather than expanding on the existing draggable Turn Lane functionality in the NAM?

Turning lanes, in real life, can vary greatly in length and lane control setups.  The system of network overrides used to implement the existing draggable Turn Lane functionality for Roads and Avenues, while it may be convenient, has limited control, requires an exhaustive and complex system of overrides and re-overrides in order to replicate just basic functionality of a fixed length (no more than 2 tiles) with considerable potential for instability, and can only be applied to intersections between two networks of the same type (Road/Road and Avenue/Avenue).  Additionally, the overrides and re-overrides entailed in the existing draggable auto-turn lane plugins for Roads and Avenues created complications in developing the popular Network Widening Mod (NWM).  Draggable "workaround" systems were also tested, with limited success.

Given the options and limitations, a puzzle piece-based solution was deemed the most viable option to further turning lane functionality in the game.

13. What about roundabouts?

There has been some talk of a TuLEP-style expansion for roundabouts, known as RabETs (Roundabout Extension Tiles).  However, it hasn't progressed much beyond preliminary talk--there are currently no RabETs in active development.
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FIXES
None at the moment.  The Slip Lane Fix that was previously attached was merged into NAM Version 30 in September 2011.

[Tracker]

 

This looks like it's going to be niiiiice...pretty! Can't wait to see it and RHW 4.0!

[u.mueller]

Aaawwweeesomme!!!!

Can't wait!

[z]

And a visual pun for a logo, no less.  Nice!    

Overall, I think it's a great idea and a wonderful way to extend the versatility of the game even further.    And the only reason I say "overall" is that people are going to want me to make RTMT stations that fit all of these intersections... 

[swat-medic]

Very, very nice!

Will you be adding stop lights with turn arrows the?

[sithlrd98]

Not too shabby! Looks like another big project with some new possibilities! Now,if someone could make some working signals for some new lights! And its even more exciting since this can go hand in hand with the NWM!

Jayson

[io_bg]

Can't wait to see more of that project! Great work!

[JoeST]

Fantastic stuff some awesome ideas you guys have

Joe

[Dino007]

 
What about Euro version?

[Korot]

Euro version is only needed for roads, since they have different textures here in Europe, and that means that they'll have to be incorporated in the Euro textures mod, which makes it Andreas' problem. Well, RHW-2 and 4 also need euro textures, making it the problem of the creators of those mods.

Question: Why are turning lanes needed for the RHW-4? They shouldn't have at-grade intersections, and there already exist puzzle pieces for the MIS-ramps.

Regards,
Korot

[joelyboy911]

Says who RHW-4 shouldn't have at grade intersections? How about one with a turning lane in the center, and you can cross the line of traffic to exit the road - you can't have a grade seperated interchange on every single country road, and it can save space. It's like a countryside avenue.

I don't understand fully the concept of the SPUI, but these pieces are needed for that puzzle piece also.

[Blue Lightning]

Did someone say RHW4 turning lanes? Edit: Might as well stick the MIS one in too



And as Alex stated in his post, you can see that the top  3 segments can be reused (2+0+2 blank, 2+0+2 turn arrows, 2+0+2 x Ave (Left+Both+Right))

I still need to do some cleaning up (mainly with some blurring and seaming)

 

Though my main thoughts for RHW4 turnlanes is for limited access arterials, and at the terminus of one (thats why the TuLEP-MIS/RHW4 2+0+2  seen above is a T intersection)

[KoV Liberty]

Oooooooooooh! Nice little project here Tarkus!

[Korot]

Blue lightning, I suggest reducing the amount of turn-lanes on the MIS-version, to just two, one for each side.

Regards,
Korot

[Blue Lightning]

Korot: Well a two lane version isn't under my coverage, but the reason I made it was for those "just in case" situations. (Edit 2: And now an example from a setup near me: here )  Also I plan on doing a MIS_TuLEP 1+0+1 to 2+0+2 transition. Though I do have a draft/unfinished 3 lane (1+1+1) texture right here:




Edit: Seems I forgot to crop it. Resized and added link.

[swat-medic]

Looking really good Blue!! 

[Ryan B.]

Wow, this is great!  It also seems to be exactly what I've been designing signals for.

I think what I'm going to do is to make a vertically oriented signal set as well.  That way, everyone who isn't such a fan of the Texas-style horizontal signals I've done won't be left out.   

[u.mueller]

Great texture work everyone!

[dragonshardz]

Ah, it's for the SPUIs. I thought it was so the NWM could be released. Eh, 'scool anyway.

[deathtopumpkins]

Well who says NWM networks won't be incorporated?