When I play with safety systems on on US routes, I constantly get “ significant overspeeding” and get no AP because of how often and unpredictably those American safety systems change speed limit. I cannot know when the speed limit will change, so I need some time to slow down the train, but the game says that I’m overspeeding. How am I supposed to slow down the train in a fraction of second to the new speed limit. If you are following another train, the speed limit jumps constantly so you get no points at all. is there anything I don’t understand about the safety systems?
I was playing Harlem Line. I just wonder if there is a pattern of when the limit will change Edit: also, I checked out Matt’s guide on LIRR safety systems, it seemed quite straightforward but he also was losing AP when using the systems
I noticed this the other day when driving the Acela. It appears that the game considers being above the signaled speed limit (as opposed to the track speed limit) as speeding despite the fact that you don't get a warning of this change.
You have to learn the signals, and slow down when you see them. ACSES doesn't change the cab indicator until you hit the signal, so you get tagged.
Just putting it out there on harlem line, new york - trenton and boston sprinter. you dont get ap points for using safty systems they use the old scoring system.
I do find the US ACS annoying as it slows you down way too early, like to 20 mph a mile or so before a stop aspect. The braking distances are nowhere near as bad as that, but ACS overcompensates very heavily. How the heck do US passenger trains get anywhere on time?
You still get AP for station calls and completing objectives. Whenever I run LIRR stick to10 MPH be.ow the speed limit. That way it’s easier to get the train under control for the sudden speed changes. You don’t lose that many points for late running.
Thank you, in that case I will just leave it off when driving, what a shame it was implemented in such a way!
There are still some signalling issues on NYT and I must admit I rarely get through a run without at least one penalty stop. Fortunately for me I don't care a fig about achievement points, I just try to drive as well as I can. But I realize that they're important to some players. But, in general I think at this point, DTG has it about right and I don't have problems with the safety systems on other routes. Some players may not like the mandatory implementation on LIRR2, but, once you become familiar with it, I think it actually enhances the immersion and enjoyment of the route. This is not your father's color light system. You have to pay close attention to the in- cab signals and learn where the speed traps are. Maybe some day we'll get PTC. That'll be a fresh challenge.
I should reiterate that the signaling on BOS-PRO is quite good. But you have to learn it! Those colored lights weren't put up for Christmas, they are there to tell train drivers what to do.
I think the confusion, certainly from my point of view, is the expectation that an in-cab signalling system should not require the driver to read and acknowledge line side signals, particularly at high speed. For example, I'm not paying attention to line side signals when driving under LZB. Boston to Providence has line speeds of 150 mph and I think some of the signals are just transmitters on the track. I'd need to double check that though.
I would say that there has been a relatively recent change that effects Action Points and signals for American routes. Take Harlem for example. There are no wayside signals. The reduction in AP was originally for track (or line) speed only. If you didn't follow the cab signals, it didn't effect AP, although you did risk a penalty brake application, or even a collision. Now the situation is different. Now you will start to "lose" AP as soon as you get a speed reduction. It is now logically inconsistent, because there is no way to know about the speed reduction until the cab signals tell you. So, it doesn't make sense for the game to apply an Action Points penalty. The overriding problem is that at some point between HAR and NYT, DTG decided to "link" all the American safety systems in the background, even though they are not all exactly the same. So, when a change is made, such as an update for the new MBTA route for example, it can effect all the American safety systems in the game. Some of the other issues mentioned, such as slowing down too much or too far in advance, are due to poor implementation of ATC/ACSES, especially on NYT. Other issues are due to structural problems such as dispatch beyond and all services needing to end on a red signal. I would also add that following wayside signals on routes such as NYT is not a cure-all, since they often do not match up with the cab signals (due to poor implementation). Unfortunately, there are really very few solutions to these problems.
