Feature request title:
Taxiway System Upgrades
Description:
Overhaul the taxiway system to be more versatile and allow for more design options.
Why it should be implemented:
The common thing people keep asking about is for curves, a bit more originality and uniqueness. Everyone has made it very clear that they want more control… In a way, I can see how this would be warranted. By overhauling the system, it would allow for smoother appearances, more uniqueness, and more creativity.
Images, references or additional content:
That leads me to this. There’s been discussion of how wide taxiways should be and whatnot, so this feature would kinda set that into stone, essentially choosing the size that would work best for you.
Here is the first style I’d suggest… Premade pieces that you can select, drop and connect (similar to a train set) with taxiways 3 wide for small aircraft, 5 for medium (and potentially large) aircraft, and if wanted a 7 wide for those big boys. This would mean prefabricated intersections and curves, and even straights (if they aren’t drag and droppable).
That leads me to my next style. Drag and draw style, in the 3 sizes (3, 5, or 7 wide). Similar to Cities:Skylines road building system, click and click for straights, click, select, click for curves, and intersections prefab or click and connect. It would allow a bit more of a compact style (for those who like tighter turns etc) and may be a bit more weird. I kinda like this style thought though.
So, what does this propose? What will it do? Well… Here’s the thing. By doing either of these, the nodes can already be in those segments or stretches (similar to the runway exits now). Keep those nodes on the segments open for us to customize them as we currently do though, and it would help us out. It also adds a more realistic feel for some airports (that don’t have taxiway lines all the way to the gate). These methods could also open up possibility for open taxi aprons or pads, or we could keep the current style in the game but add one of these as an enhancement. By doing these, the angles and curves would be accessible while still staying within the limits of the game.
First Image Example
The gray grid is the current game grid. The black lines are the edges of the taxiways. The yellow is of course the center-line. The green are lights, the blue would be an example of a “half turn”.
Second Image Example
Shapes like this would be possible.
All in all, I feel like it would make the aircraft movements look more realistic (even though it’s a game), and allow for a lot of unique patterns and such. Whether it’s drawing out these shapes and connecting them for intersections and travel paths or using premade pieces, the amount of freedom I feel like it would bring would allow much more options for airport designs.