When it comes to designing a city layout in Paradox Interactive's Cities: Skylines 2, getting the entrance right is paramount. Apart from impacting traffic flow and overall city productivity, it serves as a hub from which all routes and districts extend. The primary roadway, the Four-Lane Two-Way Highway, should form the central structure of the city entrance, with other road types feeding traffic into smaller districts.
City entrance designs can range from simple to complex, depending on the player's needs and budget. Nevertheless, it remains the most crucial part of the city and should be consistently upgraded.
6 Dumbell Interchange
An Efficient Entrance for Mid-to-Large Cities
The Dumbell Interchange, also known as a 'Bowtie', consists of two roundabouts on either side of a main highway. It efficiently links smaller roads with the main highway, making it ideal for medium-sized cities with decent production output.
This interchange is useful for dividing the city into three districts, with roundabouts at the center of Commercial or Residential Zones and the main highway leading to Industrial facilities. It also leaves ample room for construction around it, unlike larger entrances.
5 Teardrop Roundabout
Optimizing Traffic Flow Using Tunnels and Slip Roads
The Teardrop Roundabout design utilizes underground tunnels for straight-moving traffic and slip roads, facilitating access to small roads leading outward.
It is particularly beneficial for expanding a city, with main roads providing access to the established city and smaller roads leading to construction projects or residential districts. Additionally, it occupies minimal space compared to a conventional highway.
4 Single-Point Interchange
A Complex, Multi-Layered Entrance With Clever Use Of Slip Roads
Despite its name, the Single-Point Interchange is deceptively complex, offering convenient routes for traffic in all directions. It utilizes long slip roads to ensure steady traffic flow from the sides and the main highway.
The design, while relatively compact, allows for creative possibilities in adding further access points to the slip roads, making it suitable for larger cities.
3 Roundabout Interchange
A Versatile Structure for Entrances or Central Hubs
The Roundabout Interchange makes use of tunnels, an overpass, a central roundabout, and slip roads connecting main highways in all directions. Ideal for larger cities or industrial districts, it ensures steady traffic flow and can also serve as a central hub.
This structure offers adaptability across multiple levels and is not limited to being just an entrance, providing versatility for various city needs.
2 Cloverleaf
An Eccentric Circular Design Suited To Large Cities
The Cloverleaf interchange design utilizes four semi-roundabouts and slip roads, designed for junctions with extremely busy highways. Best suited for larger maps with ample space, it is a slower traffic-moving structure that occupies significant space.
Real-world examples of Cloverleaf interchanges include the Kathipara Cloverleaf in Chennai, India, and Europe's first Cloverleaf in Stockholm, Sweden.
1 Four-Level Stack Interchange
A Complex Maze Of Highways With Efficient Traffic Flow
The Four-Level Stack Interchange, although chaotic in appearance and occupying significant space, is designed for high-speed traffic flow in all directions. Ideal for cities with complex networks, it can also be used as a city center due to its efficient access in all directions.
Careful planning is crucial for maximizing the efficiency of this interchange, making it best suited for cities with intricate district networks.