RealHighway
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The RealHighway Mod (formerly Rural Highway Mod), or as it is perhaps better known, the RHW, is a modification produced by the NAM Team. The RHW is optional, separately-released component for the Network Addon Mod (NAM), and requires the NAM as a dependency. It enables a completely new network that Maxis left unfinished (known internally as DirtRoad), formerly part of the NAM ANT Plugin. Through Override Technology, wider variations of this network, allowing increased capacity, can be created through draggable means, along with Modular Interchange System (MIS) ramp segments.
Over the years, it has expanded from merely being a network intended for primarily rural usage to a largely modular, all-purpose highway.
The most recent iteration, Version 5.0, was released on September 15, 2011.
Contents
Project History
The RHW project was started as the Rural Highway Mod by qurlix and nooneatall in August 2005, with an initial "public alpha" release, Version 1.2 (also variously called 0.12 and v12--the decimal point has continually moved around during the history of the project), coming in November that same year. qurlix had also planned a couple of other updates at various points, Version 1.5 and Version 1.7, neither of which was released.
Tarkus became involved in the project in October 2006, and took over the project in March 2007 after qurlix's departure from the community. He released a small update, Version 1.3 in April, largely to address compatibility issues between the December 2006 NAM release and RHW Version 1.2, something which the unreleased Version 1.7 was originally intended to fix. With the release of Version 1.3b in June 2007, the RHW became an official NAM Team project.
For the Version 2.0 release, the RULs for the mod were completely re-written to change the RHW from a "side-by-side" override to a Starter Piece setup similar to the then-new Draggable GLR system, coinciding with the incorporation of the Modular Interchange System, which allowed for true RHW interchanges for the first time. During development on Version 2.0, Tarkus expanded the project development team to include texture artists rickmastfan67 and Shadow Assassin (who had provided some graphical work for Version 1.3a and 1.3b), and Big Dig modeler blahdy, but all three of them left during 2008. However, Shadow Assassin returned in July 2009.
A new version, Version 3.0, was released on January 14th, 2009. The new release features the long-awaited RHWs, up to the RHW-10 (five lanes per direction), Elevated RHW-4 and MIS Ramps with models by Swamper77, smoncrie's RHW-2 and RHW-4 bridges, and over 60 puzzle pieces and numerous draggable additions, including the sought-after MIS-to-OWR transition. It also featured a radically re-designed texture set from Tarkus and ardecila. Version 3.2 fixed some path files in Version 3.0, coupled with some RUL Fixes included in the March 2009 NAM.
The next version, Version 4.0, was released in May 2010. Several new developers joined Tarkus and Shadow Assassin in 2009, including Blue Lightning, choco, jmvl and deathtopumpkins. mrtnrln, toja and mtg came aboard in 2010. The default texture set was revamped again by Tarkus for Version 4.0, and blends the "traditional" RHW look with the scaling improvements introduced in the Version 3.0 texture set. The flagship features of Version 4.0 were Blue Lightning's FLEXFly (Flexible Flyover) system, a 90-degree Elevated MIS Ramp curve in helper piece form, allowing for networks to be dragged under it to create a flyover setup, along with the introduction of Fractional Angle networking by Shadow Assassin.
After Version 4.0, the project briefly went to a smaller-scale release format, dubbed the "4.x Series". As of the last update of this article, the first, Version 4.1, has been released, incorporating improvements to the FLEXFly system, a new ground-to-elevated MIS Ramp transition, and bugfixes, among other things. swamp_ig joined the development group in June 2010 as a modder and modeler, along with riiga later in the year. In October 2010, jondor released a mod to allow RHW systems to appear on the Regional Transport View, a feat long deemed impossible.
The release that was originally supposed to be Version 4.2, the second 4.x series release, was later renamed Version 5.0, because of the substantial amount of content added over its yearlong development cycle, including another revamp of the default textures, a Flexible Single-Point Urban Interchange system (FlexSPUI), greatly improved functionality for wider RHWs, the introduction of the Double-Decker RHW (DDRHW) and numerous new cosmetic pieces and ramp interfaces.
While the initial plans after Version 5.0 included going to a 5.x-series of releases, a couple of major decisions by the NAM Team have changed those plans. The first of these is the switch away from the so-called "Modular NAM" and "Component Plugin" paradigm to a "Monolithic NAM". As a result, the RealHighway will cease to exist as a separate entity and will become a part of the NAM Core itself, beginning with NAM Version 31. In addition, the NAM Team determined that the existing RUL/IID structure of the RHW was hampering development efforts, and as such, a massive reorganization of the "under the hood" aspects of the mod are underway, an effort nicknamed Project 0E, because of its shifting of RealHighway content into the 0x0E IID range.
Basic Network Characteristics
The RHW network is a Highway-type Network, which means it generally does not allow access to RCI Zones. Due to the "unfinished" state Maxis left it in, it does not have Tunnel capability (One-Way Roads, Avenues or Maxis Highways must be used for workarounds). This appears to be an .exe-controlled function and is unlikely to be fixed. With jondor's mod, it can appear on the Regional Transportation View. RHWs can also be bulldozed using the Dezone tool, much like Streets, and are also subject to "auto-connect". It is also a 1-tile network, the only such Highway-type network, which makes it particularly conducive to producing Override Networks.
The FLUPs (Flexible Underpass) system was expanded to include RHW components as part of Version 4.0 by Chrisim and toja.
In the current Version 5.0 release, bridges are possible for the RHW-2, RHW-4 and DDRHW-4 networks. Some wider RHW and MIS bridges were developed by choco, with plans for their eventual release.
RHW-2
The base network the RHW Network Tool produces is known as the RHW-2 (RHW, 2-lane). It is a 1-tile, 2-lane, 2-way network, much like the Road network, but with a higher capacity and speed. The increase in capacity and speed is dependent on the Traffic Plugin one has installed, but it is generally about twice that of a road. (The "A", "B" or "Z" simulators are recommended for RHW users.)
An Elevated RHW-2 was added in Version 5.0. It is not quite as full-featured as the Elevated RHW-4 or Elevated MIS, but includes a Type A1 ramp interface (both draggable and puzzle piece), diagonals and orthogonal-only overpass functionality.
RHW-3
The RHW-3 is essentially the RHW mod's version of the 3-lane Asymmetrical Road (ARD-3) in the Network Widening Mod. It was implemented in Version 5.0. It has diagonal and basic orthogonal-only intersection functionality, plus ramp interface pieces. There is currently no Elevated RHW-3, though it is planned for a future release.
RHW-4
The RHW-4 is an Override Network of the base RHW-2 network, utilizing a Puzzle-Drag Override to transform the RHW-2, into a 1-tile, 2-lane, 1-way network. It is known as the RHW-4 because the full width of both directions is 4 lanes over 2 tiles, but because it is based on a 1-tile network, the two halves of a full RHW-4 do not need to be adjacent, and can be split, to allow Variable Width Medians, unlike Maxis Highways (without the cumbersome Multi-Highway technique). It has twice the capacity of an RHW-2.
Also unlike the Maxis Highways, the RHW-4 can have at-grade intersections with other networks, in addition to allowing for grade-separated interchanges using the Modular Interchange System (MIS) interface ramps. At-grade intersections, including diagonals, are possible with the Road, Street, Rail, GLR and RHW-2, along with Elevated Light Rail and Monorail overpasses. Drawing an orthogonal street on the inside of an RHW-4 causes it to turn into an Emergency Turnaround Lane.
In Version 3.0, the Elevated RHW-4 (ERHW-4) was added at 15m height, and Version 5.0 marked the introduction of the single-tile Double-Decker RHW-4 (DDRHW-4), with a higher capacity and two decks at 15m and 22.5m height, respectively.
RHW-6S
The RHW-6S, introduced in RHW Version 2.0, is just like the RHW-4, except that it has an extra lane per direction, and overhangs slightly beyond its physical 2-tile footprint. The capacity of the RHW-6S, with the NAM Unified Traffic Simulator, is higher than that of the RHW-4 beginning with the Version 4.1 release. Its only interaction with other networks is through grade-separated interchanges (with the MIS), and with Overpasses.
Draggable diagonal functionality for the RHW-6S was implemented in Version 5.0. An Elevated RHW-6S at 15m height was also added in Version 5.0, with one ramp interface (a Type D1) and no diagonal functionality.
RHW-6C
The RHW-6C is a 6-lane, 3-tile network, added in RHW Version 3.0. Due to how it occupies its space, it is a "true" wider network, in that it adds capacity beyond the RHW-4 (and indeed, beyond the RHW-6S).
Draggable diagonal functionality for the RHW-6C was partially implemented in RHW Version 4.0, and stabilized for Version 5.0. An Elevated RHW-6C at 15m height (without diagonal functionality or ramp interfaces) was also added in Version 5.0.
RHW-8S
The RHW-8S is a "true" wider network, added in RHW Version 3.0. In its full form, it will be an 8-lane, 4-tile network, with 4 times the capacity of an RHW-2, 2 times the capacity of the RHW-4, and 1.33 times the capacity of an RHW-6C.
Draggable diagonal functionality for the RHW-8S was partially implemented in Version 4.0, and stabilized for Version 5.0. There is currently no Elevated RHW-8S, though it is planned for a future release.
RHW-8C
A 3-tile-wide RHW-8C also exists, having been added in Version 4.0. It has the same capacity as the RHW-6C and primarily exists simply for the purpose of adding auxiliary lanes to the RHW-6C.
Draggable diagonal functionality for the RHW-8C was implemented in Version 5.0. There is currently no Elevated RHW-8C, though it is planned for a future release.
RHW-10S
The RHW-10S is currently the widest RHW network, consisting of 10 lanes over 4 tiles. It has the same capacity as an RHW-8S, and thus, is more or less functional eyecandy.
Draggable diagonal functionality for the RHW-10S was implemented in Version 5.0. There is currently no Elevated RHW-10S, though it is planned for a future release.
MIS Ramps
The Modular Interchange System (MIS) Ramps are the backbone of the RHW's interchange capabilities, allowing for draggable custom setups. The MIS is a 1-tile, 1-lane, 1-way network, allowing for connections to surface streets.
In Version 3.0, Elevated MIS (EMIS) was added.
Blue Lightning created an EMIS-1 (15M) Wide Radius Curve capable of over passing other RHW networks called FLEXFly. It was introduced in the Version 4.0 release, and expanded in Versions 4.1 and 5.0.
Future Networks
These networks have been proposed, and some have even had prototypes made, but they are planned for a future release.
Ultra-Wide RHWs
Unofficially, there are plans to eventually create "ultra-wide" RHW networks, extending out to either 16 or 18 lanes. There has been no indication as to where in the development timeline this addition will occur, however.
Elevated and Double-Decker RHWs
In the current Version 5.0 release, the RHW-2, 4, 6C, 6S and MIS have elevated forms, and a single-tile Double-Decker RHW-4 also exists. The RHW-3, RHW-8S, RHW-8C and RHW-10S do not currently have elevated functionality, though it is planned.
Elevated RHW-4 and MIS were initially added in Version 3.0. Elevated RHW-2, 6C, and 6S were added in Version 5.0, with more widths coming in future releases. 3 additional heights for the Elevated RHW networks (7.5m, 22.5m and 30m) are planned to allow modular stack functionality. On June 5, 2011, Tarkus revealed the addition of the Double-Decker RHW-4 (DDRHW-4) with a YouTube video. The network is Rail-based to obtain a higher capacity, and its two decks are at 15 meters and 22.5 meters. The DDRHW-4 was included in the Version 5.0 release.
Other Functionality
The Version 4.0 release introduced two new pieces to allow for the construction of ground-level Single-Point Urban Interchanges (SPUIs) and the Diverging Diamond Interchanges (DDIs). As demonstrated in a YouTube video by Tarkus, the SPUI has been converted to a "flex" system for Version 5.0, allowing much greater functionality and ease of use. The existing SPUI puzzle piece from Version 4.0/4.1 has been disabled and moved to a legacy support file.
Draggable Ramp Interface (DRI) functionality was also introduced in Version 4.0, and was expanded in Version 5.0. The DRI functionality is expected to expand further in future releases.
Multi-RHW Technique
Wider RHWs can also be made using the Multi-RHW technique first developed by Haljackey, which essentially involves putting two one-way RHWs (usually RHW-4 or RHW-6S) in the same direction, side by side. Although this creates 8 lanes (or possibly more) in each direction, the networks are still separate RHW-4s, and must be linked together to work properly. A Multi-RHW is a great way to make a collector/express system in SC4 that many real life highways use.
Prior the Version 2.0 release, the Multi-RHW was possible, but very difficult to make due to the fact that the RHW-4 was built using a Side-by-Side Override. This would often result in some parts of the Multi-RHW going in opposite directions and was a pain to correct. With the switch to the starter piece system included with Version 2.0, Multi-RHWs can now be dragged without any worry of changing direction, making them much easier to construct.
For more information about the Multi-RHW, see Multi highway.
Additional Modifications
Shadow Assassin released a popular Euro Texture Set for RHW Version 2.0, but it is not fully-compatible with the new Version 3.0 release. mrtnrln has released a series of prop additions as part of his RHW Addon Mod, and has also released an RHW Euro texture set based on Tarkus' default North American set from Version 3.0, which was updated to an "interim" release coinciding with Version 4.0.
A new Euro set is planned as part of the "V5-Spec" standard. Other variants planned for the "V5-Spec" textures include Irish/South African markings, along with Dark Asphalt and Concrete pavement variants.
Xyloxadoria has also released a number of popular T21 mods for the RHW on the STEX, which add lights and barriers to some of the networks. Blue Lightning has also made a number of addons as well, including the popular Elevated RHW-4 Cosmetic Mod, which is currently incompatible with the Version 5.0 release.
History of Releases
- Version 1.2 (November 16, 2005)
- Version 1.3 (April 14, 2007)
- Version 1.3a (April 28, 2007)
- Version 1.3b (June 1, 2007)
- Version 2.0 (January 1, 2008)
- Version 3.0 (January 14, 2009)
- Version 3.2 (March 7, 2009)
- Version 4.0 (May 9, 2010)
- Version 4.1 (August 14, 2010)
- Version 5.0 (September 15, 2011)
RHW Development Team & Contributors
Current (Version 5.0)
- Andreas (Packaging/Readme: 2007-2011, Version 1.3-5.0)
- Blue Lightning (Development/Models: 2009-2011, Version 4.0-5.0)
- choco (Bridges: 2009-2010, Version 4.0)
- deathtopumpkins (Development/Textures: 2009-2011, Version 4.0-5.0)
- GDO29Anagram (Development/Textures: 2011, Version 5.0)
- jdenm8 (Development/Textures/LHD Support: 2011, Version 5.0)
- jondor (Development: 2010-2001, Version 5.0)
- mrtnrln (Development/Textures: 2010-2011, Version 4.0-5.0)
- mtg (Development: 2010, Version 4.0-5.0)
- riiga (Development: 2010, Version 5.0)
- Ryan B. (Props/Textures: 2005-2011, Version 1.2-4.x)
- Shadow Assassin (Development/Textures: 2007-2011, Version 1.3a-5.0)
- swamp_ig (Development: 2010-2011, Version 4.1-5.0)
- Tarkus (Lead Development/Textures: 2006-2011, Version 1.3-5.0)
- toja (Models: 2010, Version 4.0-5.0)
- warrior (Technical Assistance, 2007-2011, Version 2.0-5.0)
Testing
Former Development Team Members & Contributors
- Alidonkey(Development/Textures: 2007-2008, Version 2.0)
- ardecila (Development/Textures: 2008-2009, Version 3.0)
- blahdy (Models: 2007-2008)
- Chrisim (FLUPs Integration: 2010, Version 4.0-4.1)
- dedgren (Textures: 2009, Version 3.0-4.0)
- ebina (LHD Pathing: 2008-2010, Version 3.0-4.1)
- Filasimo (Packaging: 2007, Version 2.0)
- jmvl (Development: 2009, Version 4.0)
- jplumbley (Technical Assistance, 2007-2009, Version 2.0-3.0)
- mjig_dudy (Textures: 2007)
- nooneatall (Textures: 2005, Version 1.2)
- qurlix (Development: 2005-2007, Version 1.2)
- rickmastfan67 (Textures: 2007-2008, Version 2.0)
- smoncrie (Development: 2008-2009, Version 3.0-4.0)
- Swamper77 (Development/Models: 2007-2009, Version 2.0-4.0)
- videosean (Textures: 2008, Version 3.0)
- Zeddic (Textures/Packaging: 2005, Version 1.2)
Original ANT Plugin Reintegration
Current Development Thread at SC4D
See also
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[[::RealHighway|English]] • Japanese (日本語)
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