Gridlock Expert Takes On Sim City Streets

Thanks to the Gaming-Age messageboard regulars for pointing to an EA webpage interviewing real-life traffic engineer Sam Schwartz, aka 'Gridlock Sam', and discussing "ways to alleviate traffic congestion in your own virtual metropolis" for Maxis/EA's PC game Sim City 4: Rush Hour. Schwartz notes some of the tricks gamers use to get round traffic congestion in-game: "I have read on the Sim City message boards, and seen screen shots of cities where mayors build roads at certain angles to avoid the creation of a traffic light", but goes on to suggest relevant real-world tactics, particularly noting players should "...use underground rail where [traffic] density is the greatest." However, 'Gridlock Sam' found unexpected social issues even in the virtual city: "One time I made the mistake of turning all my roads into streets thinking I was improving the level of service and therefore congestion would lessen. It did, but now I had Sims yelling at me because their once bucolic roads became bustling streets."

Comments

In the first SimCity

[M3wThr33]

It made sense to use ONLY railroad tracks. Albeit more expensive, it was more acceptable and well liked. How far our games have come. . .

Re:Roundabouts.

[Anonymous Coward]

They're commonly built in neighborhoods to slow through traffic.

But the main reason we don't use them is the same reason we don't use SI units. Retooling and retraining is expensive. Not to mention they just seem like invitations to disaster with the "Mememe nownownow" people.

Hey, and about the planning. It takes little effort, and saves time. There's something to be said for knowing what the hell you're doing.