How to Use Track Priority Markers

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<td>Track Priority Markers fool an AI train that has the same priority level into thinking that the path containing the marker is the shortest possible path, even when it is not</td>
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<td>'''Track Priority Markers''' fool an AI train that has the same priority level into thinking that the path containing the marker is the shortest possible path, even when it is not</td>
 
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<td>If the priority level of the AI train does not match the priority level of the Track Priority Marker, then the AI will '''ignore''' the marker and select its own path '''which may be the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">same</span> path that contains the priority marker'''</td>
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<td>If the priority level of the AI train does not match the priority level of the '''Track Priority Marker''', then the AI will '''ignore''' the marker and select its own path '''which may be the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">same</span> path that contains the priority marker'''</td>
 
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<td>If the specified path is blocked, then the AI will '''ignore''' the Track Priority Marker and find another path</td>
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<td>If the specified path is blocked, then the AI will '''ignore''' the '''Track Priority Marker''' and find another path</td>
 
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<td>The direction that the Track Priority Marker is pointing has '''NO effect''' on its operation</td>
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<td>The direction that the '''Track Priority Marker''' is pointing has '''NO effect''' on its operation</td>
 
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Consider the situation represented in the diagrams below. Three trains - Red, Green, Yellow - have been given priority levels of <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">1</span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">2</span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">3</span> as shown. Each is given the driver command '''Drive to Trackmark''' or '''Navigate to Trackmark'''. The destination trackmark is shown on the right.<br>
 
Consider the situation represented in the diagrams below. Three trains - Red, Green, Yellow - have been given priority levels of <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">1</span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">2</span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">3</span> as shown. Each is given the driver command '''Drive to Trackmark''' or '''Navigate to Trackmark'''. The destination trackmark is shown on the right.<br>
  
In '''Figure 1''' below, no Track Priority Markers have been set. All three trains will take the shortest path assuming there are no blockages.<br>
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In '''Figure 1''' below, no '''Track Priority Markers''' have been set. All three trains will take the shortest path, assuming there are no blockages.<br>
  
 
[[file:PriorityMap_P0.png|link=|alt=Priority Map - Priority NULL]]<br>
 
[[file:PriorityMap_P0.png|link=|alt=Priority Map - Priority NULL]]<br>
 
<span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">Figure 1</span><br>
 
<span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">Figure 1</span><br>
 
----
 
----
In '''Figure 2''' below, a Track Priority Marker has been placed on the top loop line and has been given a priority level of <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">1</span>. The red train will now take the Priority 1 path because it will "see" that path as being the shortest of the three possible paths. The green and yellow trains, with their priority levels of <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">2</span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">3</span>, will not be affected as they still "see" the middle path as the shortest.<br>
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In '''Figure 2''' below, a '''Track Priority Marker''' has been placed on the top loop line and has been given a priority level of <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">1</span>. The red train will now take the priority <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">1</span> path because it will "see" that as being the shortest of the three possible paths. The green and yellow trains will still "see" the middle path as the shortest.<br>
  
 
[[file:PriorityMap_P1.png|link=|alt=Priority Map - Priority 1]]<br>
 
[[file:PriorityMap_P1.png|link=|alt=Priority Map - Priority 1]]<br>
 
<span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">Figure 2</span><br>
 
<span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">Figure 2</span><br>
 
----
 
----
In '''Figure 3''' below, a Track Priority Marker has been placed on the lower loop line and has been given a priority level of <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">3</span>. For the same reasons, the yellow train will now take the priority <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">3</span> path because it now sees that as the shortest path while the red and green trains are unaffected.<br>
+
In '''Figure 3''' below, a '''Track Priority Marker''' has been placed on the lower loop line and has been given a priority level of <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">3</span>. For the same reasons as explained above, the yellow train will now take the priority <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">3</span> path because it now sees that as the shortest.<br>
  
 
[[file:PriorityMap_P3.png|link=|alt=Priority Map - Priority 3]]<br>
 
[[file:PriorityMap_P3.png|link=|alt=Priority Map - Priority 3]]<br>
 
<span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">Figure 3</span><br>
 
<span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">Figure 3</span><br>
 
----
 
----
In '''Figure 4''' below, Track Priority Markers have been placed on the upper and lower loop lines and set as shown. The red and yellow trains will take their respective loop paths while the green train is unaffected.<br>
+
In '''Figure 4''' below, '''Track Priority Markers''' have been placed on the upper and lower loop lines and set as shown. The red and yellow trains will take their respective loop paths while the green train is unaffected.<br>
  
 
[[file:PriorityMap_P13.png|link=|alt=Priority Map - Priority 1&3]]<br>
 
[[file:PriorityMap_P13.png|link=|alt=Priority Map - Priority 1&3]]<br>
 
<span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">Figure 4</span><br>
 
<span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">Figure 4</span><br>
 
----
 
----
In '''Figure 5''' below, two Track Priority Markers have been placed on the lower loop line and set as shown. The yellow train will take the lower loop (its "shortest path"), the red train still takes the actual shortest path but the green train is completely ignoring its set Track Priority Marker. Why?<br>
+
In '''Figure 5''' below, two '''Track Priority Markers''' have been placed on the lower loop line and set as shown. The yellow train will take the lower loop (its "shortest path"), the red train still takes the actual shortest path but the green train completely ignores the level <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">2</span> '''Track Priority Marker'''. Why?<br>
  
 
[[file:PriorityMap_P23a.png|link=|alt=Priority Map - Priority 2&3a]]<br>
 
[[file:PriorityMap_P23a.png|link=|alt=Priority Map - Priority 2&3a]]<br>
 
<span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">Figure 5</span><br>
 
<span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">Figure 5</span><br>
  
A priority level of <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">2</span> is automatically assigned to any track that does not have a Track Priority Marker. Because it is not an actual Priority Level Marker this will have no effect on trains with priority levels of <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">1</span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">3</span> but it does give trains with a priority level of <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">2</span> an unexpected bonus. The green train has actually been given a choice between '''two''' priority level <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">2</span> paths, one with a Priority Level Marker and one without. It has, naturally, taken the shortest of the two paths.<br>
+
Any track that does not have a '''Track Priority Marker''' is automatically given a priority level of <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">2</span>. Because it is not an actual '''Track Priority Marker''' it will have no effect on trains with priority levels of <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">1</span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">3</span> but it does give trains with a priority level of <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">2</span> an unexpected bonus. The green train now has a choice between '''two''' priority level <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">2</span> paths, one with a '''Track Priority Marker''' and one without. It has, naturally, taken the shortest of the two.<br>
  
 
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----
 
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An exception, shown in '''Figure 7''' below, will occur when one or more of the Track Priority Marker paths have been blocked, for example by a consist under AI or manual control. In the figure the lower loop path has been blocked. The red train will take its assigned path, the green train will takes it shortest path and yellow train will be forced to take the next shortest path.<br>
+
An exception, shown in '''Figure 7''' below, will occur when one or more of the '''Track Priority Marker''' paths have been blocked, for example by a consist under AI or manual control. In the figure the lower loop path has been blocked. The red train will take its assigned path, the green train will takes it shortest path and yellow train will be forced to take the next shortest path.<br>
  
 
[[file:PriorityMap_P123Blocked.png|link=|alt=Priority Map - Priority 2&3 blocked]]<br>
 
[[file:PriorityMap_P123Blocked.png|link=|alt=Priority Map - Priority 2&3 blocked]]<br>
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*the <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">Drive To</span> driver command is used, <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">and</span>
 
*the <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">Drive To</span> driver command is used, <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">and</span>
 
*the blocked path is the shortest path and has the same priority value as the consist
 
*the blocked path is the shortest path and has the same priority value as the consist
This is the normal operation of the <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">Drive To</span> command and is not caused by the track priority markers or consist priority levels. This situation would occur with or without the use of priority levels and markers.
+
This is the normal operation of the <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">Drive To</span> command and is not caused by the '''Track Priority Markers''' or consist priority levels. This situation would occur with or without the use of priority levels and markers.
 
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Another exception, shown in '''Figure 8''' below, will occur when a driver command overrides a Track Priority Marker. In the figure the yellow train, with priority 3, has been given the driver command "Drive To Station" followed by "Drive to Trackmark". As the station is not on the priority 3 path, that path will be ignored to reach the station and then the trackmark. After stopping at the station the train will '''not''' reverse back onto the main line to then use the priority 3 track.<br>
+
Another exception, shown in '''Figure 8''' below, will occur when a driver command overrides a '''Track Priority Marker'''. In the figure the yellow train, with priority 3, has been given the driver command "Drive To Station" followed by "Drive to Trackmark". As the station is not on the priority 3 path, that path will be ignored to reach the station and then the trackmark. After stopping at the station the train will '''not''' reverse back onto the main line to then use the priority 3 track.<br>
  
 
[[file:PriorityMap_P3Station.png|link=|alt=Priority Map - Station]]<br>
 
[[file:PriorityMap_P3Station.png|link=|alt=Priority Map - Station]]<br>

Revision as of 23:44, 29 September 2022

The information in this Wiki Page applies to TANE, TRS19, Trainz Plus and TRS22.

Contents

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What are Track Priority Markers?

In Summary:
DotPoint.JPG Track Priority Markers are purple coloured track markers that are invisible in Driver Mode but visible in Surveyor Mode. They are used to direct specific trains under AI control through the track section where they are placed
DotPoint.JPG Track Priority Markers only work on AI controlled trains. They have no effect on manually controlled trains
DotPoint.JPG The direction that the marker is pointing has absolutely NO EFFECT on its operation
DotPoint.JPG Track Priority Markers must be used with Priority Levels that are assigned to each train
DotPoint.JPG Track Priority Markers are NOT a substitute for Driver Commands or Interlocking Towers


PencilTips.PNG A better way of thinking about the meaning of Priority is to use the word Preference instead. Preference indicates a choice between different paths while Priority is often mistakenly taken to mean importance.


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Adding a Track Priority Marker

NotePad.PNG Notes:

A Track Priority Marker has no useful properties other than its Priority Level (1, 2 or 3).

PriorityMarker1.png

Steps.PNG Steps:
  1. Open the Track Tool
  2. Select the Trackmark button
  3. Select the Track Priority Marker
  4. Select the + (add) button - it may already be selected
  5. Click on the track location where the priority marker is to be placed


This will place the Track Priority Marker on the track and open its properties window.
PriorityMarker2.png

Click the default Priority value shown to select one 1, 2 or 3. Each click will cycle to the next value.


DotPoint.JPG Priority levels have no set meanings but can be assigned to specific AI trains to force them through selected sections of track (the track sections are defined as between consecutive junction sets)


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Assigning Priority Levels to Trains

NotePad.PNG Notes:

Every locomotive (and its consist) must have a Priority Level of 1, 2 or 3. The default priority level of every locomotive is 2. You cannot assign NO Priority to a locomotive
PencilTips.PNG If you do not want some AI controlled trains to be affected by Track Priority Markers then assign those trains one of the three levels and do not use Track Priority Markers set to that level


DotPoint.JPG A higher priority level does not mean that one consist is more important than another. A priority 1 consist will not be given first access to a junction, for example, or be the first one to depart. The priority levels have no set meaning beyond what you decide they will mean.


For example you could assign priority 1 to express trains and 3 to slow general "all stops" freight trains, or you could assign priority 3 to express trains and 1 to slow general "all stops" freight trains, it is up to you. These values will not alter the speed or importance of these trains but will only decide which paths they should take.


Steps.PNG Steps:
  1. Open the properties window of a locomotive
  2. Click the Train Priority value - each click will cycle through the values 1, 2, 3. The default priority level for all consists is 2
  3. Click the OK (tick) to accept the change

PriorityTrain.png

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Priority Marker Operation

Main Points:
DotPoint.JPG Track Priority Markers only work on AI controlled trains. They have no effect on manually controlled trains
DotPoint.JPG Track Priority Markers fool an AI train that has the same priority level into thinking that the path containing the marker is the shortest possible path, even when it is not
DotPoint.JPG If the priority level of the AI train does not match the priority level of the Track Priority Marker, then the AI will ignore the marker and select its own path which may be the same path that contains the priority marker
DotPoint.JPG If the specified path is blocked, then the AI will ignore the Track Priority Marker and find another path
DotPoint.JPG The direction that the Track Priority Marker is pointing has NO effect on its operation

Consider the situation represented in the diagrams below. Three trains - Red, Green, Yellow - have been given priority levels of 1, 2 and 3 as shown. Each is given the driver command Drive to Trackmark or Navigate to Trackmark. The destination trackmark is shown on the right.

In Figure 1 below, no Track Priority Markers have been set. All three trains will take the shortest path, assuming there are no blockages.

Priority Map - Priority NULL
Figure 1


In Figure 2 below, a Track Priority Marker has been placed on the top loop line and has been given a priority level of 1. The red train will now take the priority 1 path because it will "see" that as being the shortest of the three possible paths. The green and yellow trains will still "see" the middle path as the shortest.

Priority Map - Priority 1
Figure 2


In Figure 3 below, a Track Priority Marker has been placed on the lower loop line and has been given a priority level of 3. For the same reasons as explained above, the yellow train will now take the priority 3 path because it now sees that as the shortest.

Priority Map - Priority 3
Figure 3


In Figure 4 below, Track Priority Markers have been placed on the upper and lower loop lines and set as shown. The red and yellow trains will take their respective loop paths while the green train is unaffected.

Priority Map - Priority 1&3
Figure 4


In Figure 5 below, two Track Priority Markers have been placed on the lower loop line and set as shown. The yellow train will take the lower loop (its "shortest path"), the red train still takes the actual shortest path but the green train completely ignores the level 2 Track Priority Marker. Why?

Priority Map - Priority 2&3a
Figure 5

Any track that does not have a Track Priority Marker is automatically given a priority level of 2. Because it is not an actual Track Priority Marker it will have no effect on trains with priority levels of 1 and 3 but it does give trains with a priority level of 2 an unexpected bonus. The green train now has a choice between two priority level 2 paths, one with a Track Priority Marker and one without. It has, naturally, taken the shortest of the two.

PencilTips.PNG How Do You Fix This?

In Figure 6 below, the middle and shortest path has been given a priority level of 1 which forces the green train to avoid it. It now takes the next shortest and correct path. The yellow train still takes the lower loop. The red train now has a choice between two priority level 1 paths and takes the shorter one of the two.

Priority Map - Priority 2&3b
Figure 6


An exception, shown in Figure 7 below, will occur when one or more of the Track Priority Marker paths have been blocked, for example by a consist under AI or manual control. In the figure the lower loop path has been blocked. The red train will take its assigned path, the green train will takes it shortest path and yellow train will be forced to take the next shortest path.

Priority Map - Priority 2&3 blocked
Figure 7

NotePad.PNG Notes:

A consist will not attempt to find an alternative path around a blockage if:-

  • the Drive To driver command is used, and
  • the blocked path is the shortest path and has the same priority value as the consist

This is the normal operation of the Drive To command and is not caused by the Track Priority Markers or consist priority levels. This situation would occur with or without the use of priority levels and markers.



Another exception, shown in Figure 8 below, will occur when a driver command overrides a Track Priority Marker. In the figure the yellow train, with priority 3, has been given the driver command "Drive To Station" followed by "Drive to Trackmark". As the station is not on the priority 3 path, that path will be ignored to reach the station and then the trackmark. After stopping at the station the train will not reverse back onto the main line to then use the priority 3 track.

Priority Map - Station
Figure 8



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Modifying Train Priority Levels

DotPoint.JPG You can alter the Priority Level of a train in Driver mode


DotPoint1Blue.png Manually in Driver Mode

This can be done "on the fly" using the mouse.


Steps.PNG Steps:
  1. Hold down the CTRL key and right mouse click on the locomotive or on any of the wagons in the consist
  2. Select View Details from the popup menu
  3. Click the current priority setting to cycle through the values to the one you want

View Details

DotPoint2Blue.png Using a Driver Command

This can be done in Surveyor in the session PageLink.PNGDriver Setup Rule or by adding a driver command to the command bar in Driver.

  • Insert the driver command PageLink2.PNG Priorityz into the driver command bar and set it to the new level

LinkWiki.PNG Information on adding driver commands can be found on the Trainz Wiki Page at:-


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Track Priority in Map View

In Surveyor when using Map View or zooming the camera right out, the tracks will be shown colour coded according to their assigned track priority level. If the track layout shown in Figure 4 above, with the priority markers as used in that figure, was shown in Map View then this would be the result.

MiniMap

Tracks that have not been given a priority marker will be shown as dark blue indicating that they have the default priority level 2.

Related Links

LinkWiki.PNG


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This page was created by Trainz user pware in September 2019 and was last updated as shown below.


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