Network Basics

Establishing a valid haul network requires an understanding of several key elements. This page provides explanations of each element to guide effective network design.

1. Points & Edges

➡ Points represent specific locations along the haul network and act as connection hubs for Edges.
➡ Edges are the segments that link two points, defining the actual routes vehicles will travel. Together, points and edges form the foundation of the road network.

Overview of Points and Edges.

2. Intersections, Arcs, Lanes & Speed Signs

➡ Intersections occurs where three or more edges meet. Manual intersections can also be created where two edges intersect.
➡ Arcs are the connected series of edges between intersections.
➡ Lanes are generated along arcs to define the specific paths vehicles will travel.
➡ Speed Signs are applied to indiviudal lanes.

Overview of Intersections, Arcs and Lanes.

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Understanding Arcs is a essential for efficient network design. Lane Types are applied to arcs, not individual edges.

For example, if a stretch of road is double-lane but has a single-lane section in the middle, a separate arc needs to be created for that section:

1️⃣ Insert a manual intersection at the start and end points of the single-lane section.
2️⃣ This creates a dedicated arc where the single-lane type can be specifically applied.

3. Terminals & Prefabs

Terminals

Terminals are designated points in the network where source vehicles perform specific activities. Terminals are automatically created at Source and Destination points, however, they need to manually be placed for Fixed Items. Each terminal has configurable properties that can be adjusted to suit the specific requirements of the operation.

Terminal Properties

Property	Description
Bearing	Sets the orientation of a terminal, determining the direction the truck faces when performing a prefab manoeuvre at that terminal.
Speed Sign	Sets the speed sign which controls the speed limit for the terminal, dictating the maximum allowable speed at which trucks can navigate through that termina
Prefab	Sets predefined manoeuvre that trucks will follow when using the terminal. The different type of Prefabs are covered below.
Terminal	Sets the Fixed Item Item represented by the Terminal, such as Bowser 1, Bowser 2, etc. Source and Destination Terminals can't be changed.

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All Terminals in the network must be connected to lanes to ensure proper truck routing. If a Terminal is not connected to the network, error messages will appear to indicate the issue

Prefabs

Each Terminal requires a Prefab to be specified. A Prefab defines the specific manoeuvre a truck must perform to position itself at the Terminal. Several different Prefabs are available, each with configurable properties that can be adjusted to meet the operational needs, allowing for customisation of how trucks interact with the Terminal.

Prefab Types

Prefab	Manoeuvre	Properties
Forward Left		Turning Radius: Sets the minimum radius required for a truck to complete a turn at the terminal. It controls how sharp the truck can turn when manoeuvring at the terminal. Length: Sets the straight portion of the terminal’s layout. Width: Sets the width between the entry and exit lanes of the terminal. This defines the space available for trucks to manoeuvre between the entry and exit points.
Side Left Forward		Turning Radius: Sets the minimum radius required for a truck to complete a turn at the terminal. It controls how sharp the truck can turn when manoeuvring at the terminal. Length: Sets the straight portion of the terminal’s layout. Width: Sets the width between the entry and exit lanes of the terminal. This defines the space available for trucks to manoeuvre between the entry and exit points. Entry Angle: Sets the angle at which a truck enters the terminal from the entry lane. Exit Angle: Sets the angle at which a truck enters the terminal from the exit lane.
Side Left Backward		Turning Radius: Sets the minimum radius required for a truck to complete a turn at the terminal. It controls how sharp the truck can turn when manoeuvring at the terminal. Length: Sets the straight portion of the terminal’s layout. Width: Sets the width between the entry and exit lanes of the terminal. This defines the space available for trucks to manoeuvre between the entry and exit points. Entry Angle: Sets the angle at which a truck enters the terminal from the entry lane. Exit Angle: Sets the angle at which a truck enters the terminal from the exit lane.
Side Mid Right		Turning Radius – Sets the minimum radius required for a truck to complete a turn at the terminal. It controls how sharp the truck can turn when manoeuvring at the terminal. Length – Sets the straight portion of the terminal’s layout. Repeat Count – Sets the number of times the terminal is repeated. For a Go Line, instead of manually creating bays, the repeat count can be used to automatically create them. Repeat Width – Sets the distance between terminals when they are repeated.
Straight		Turning Radius – Sets the minimum radius required for a truck to complete a turn at the terminal. It controls how sharp the truck can turn when manoeuvring at the terminal. Length – Sets the straight portion of the terminal’s layout.

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Each Prefab has a Connection Point and an Access Point.

Connection Point: Represented by a solid green box, is where the terminal links to the haul network.
Access Point: Represented by a solid green triangle, is where the truck stops to perform actions like loading or dumping.

Overview of Intersections, Arcs and Lanes.