Find where the queue begins
Do not start at the back of the traffic jam. Follow it forward until traffic begins moving normally. The first blocked merge, turn, stop or intersection is the useful diagnostic point.
Use the traffic information view and watch several signal or movement cycles. A queue can be caused by turning traffic, a busy stop, vehicles crossing multiple lanes, a nearby cargo terminal or a downstream intersection with no storage space.
Protect public transport
Buses and trams lose value when they sit in the same queue as private traffic. Move stops away from the immediate mouth of a major intersection, use dedicated lanes where available and avoid forcing every local route through one central node.
Public transport can also reduce car trips when it offers a useful complete journey. Coverage alone is not enough: residents compare public transport with driving, so route time and connection quality matter.
Protect cargo access
Cargo terminals create concentrated vehicle movements. Give trucks room to enter and leave without blocking the through-road. If several pickup lines serve one terminal, stagger capacity through route design rather than stacking excessive vehicles at the entrance.
An industrial road that works with two trucks may fail with twenty. Add vehicles only when waiting cargo proves the need and the road can absorb the frequency.
Intervention order
- Fix a broken or unnecessary turning movement.
- Relocate a stop that blocks an intersection.
- Give the queue more downstream space.
- Provide an alternate route for through traffic.
- Use lane controls or dedicated transport space.
- Widen or rebuild the corridor only after the conflict is understood.
Common failed fixes
| Fix | Why it can fail |
|---|---|
| Add more lanes | The same downstream junction remains the limit |
| Add more buses | Frequency increases the stop and junction conflict |
| Build a bypass with many connections | Local turning traffic converts it into another town street |
| Move all lines to one hub | Transfers improve, but entrance capacity collapses |
| Delete town roads rapidly | Stops, buildings and line paths may also be removed |
Check after rebuilding
After any road upgrade, inspect affected stops and line paths. Town roads can interact with nearby buildings and infrastructure. Confirm that vehicles still reach every stop and that catchment still covers the intended passengers or consumers.