Interchanges in Cities Skylines 2: A Complete Guide to Traffic-Free Design

Cities Skylines 2 is not just a city construction simulator, but a real test of engineering abilities. One of the most difficult tasks for mayors is organizing transport interchanges that do not turn into eternal traffic jams. Unlike the first part, where you could get by with simple rings, the second part requires a deeper understanding of traffic flows and the ability to predict their development.

In this article we will examine not only the basic types of interchanges (from cloverleaf to turbine), but also the nuances of their adaptation to the specifics CS2: new traffic mechanics, driver AI features, and even the effect of terrain on throughput. You will find out how to avoid common mistakes (for example, bottlenecks at exits) and what tools in the game will help you test the interchange before it is built.

We will pay special attention unique feature of Cities Skylines 2 - dynamic change in traffic intensity depending on the time of day and type of districts, which makes some interchange schemes effective in the morning but useless in the evening. Are you ready to turn your city into an example of a transport paradise? Then let's get started!

Types of endings in Cities Skylines 2: pros and cons of each

B CS2 There are more than 10 basic types of interchanges available, but not all of them are equally useful. Let's look at the most popular options, their advantages and pitfalls.

1. Cloverleaf - a classic of the genre that works well in the first part of the game, but in CS2 requires caution. Its main advantage is compactness and the ability to do without traffic lights. However, under high load, exits become bottlenecks, and driving on the left (in countries with right-hand traffic) can confuse the AI.

2. Turbine decoupling — an improved version of the cloverleaf, where the ramps are replaced with loops with a smaller radius. B CS2 she shows herself better thanks to uniform distribution of flows, but takes up more space and requires fine-tuning of lane priorities.

3. Diamond interchange - simple and effective for medium loads. B CS2 it is often used to connect highways to city roads, as it makes it easy to add traffic lights and pedestrian crossings. Minus - low bandwidth at peak loads.

4. Butterfly interchange - a hybrid of diamond and turbine, where the exits are located asymmetrically. IN CS2 it is useful for uneven flows (for example, when the main traffic goes in one direction). Difficulty in construction is compensated no congestion on main lanes.

• 🚦 clover leaf: quick to build, but risk of traffic jams on exits
• 🌀 Turbinnaya: High throughput, but takes up a lot of space
• ⬦ Diamond: simple, but not for large flows
• 🦋 Butterfly: ideal for asymmetric traffic

How to choose a solution for a specific situation

The choice of interchange depends on three key factors: traffic intensity, available space And type of roads crossed (highway, highway, street). Let's figure out what is better to build in different scenarios.

To cross two highways Turbine or clover junctions are optimal, but only if you have enough space. In cramped conditions (for example, in the city center) it is better to use multi-level junctions with tunnels, they are more expensive. B CS2 tunnels have become cheaper and their construction easier, thanks to a new tool Terrain Tools.

To connect a highway with a city road A diamond interchange with traffic lights is suitable. It is important to place it so that the ramps do not block pedestrian areas. B CS2 pedestrians have become more “aggressive” - they will cross the road even in the wrong places if the junction is poorly designed.

For junctions in industrial areas, where the main traffic is trucks, it is better to avoid sharp turns. Perfect here partially controlled decoupling (PMC), where the main flows go without traffic lights, and the secondary ones are regulated. B CS2 trucks have become more "smart" - they choose the shortest path, so it is important to pave alternative routes to relieve congestion on main roads.

Situation	Recommended interchange	Alternative	Features in CS2
The intersection of two highways	Turbinnaya	Clover leaf (if you're short on space)	Requires fine tuning of lane priorities
Highway + city road	Diamond with traffic lights	Partially Managed (PMC)	Pedestrians can create congestion
Industrial zone	PMC or turbine	Multi-level with tunnels	Trucks take the shortest route
City center (limited space)	Multi-level with overpasses	Roundabout	High cost, but minimal traffic jams

⚠️ Attention: B Cities Skylines 2 junctions with many exits (such as cloverleaf) can cause lag at high city load. If you have a weak PC, give preference to simpler schemes or reduce the number of vehicles in the traffic settings.

Step-by-step instructions: how to build a turbine interchange

Turbine decoupling is one of the most efficient in CS2, but its construction requires precision. Follow this algorithm to avoid mistakes.

Step 1. Preparing the area

Use the tool Terrain Tools (Page Up/Page Down to change the height) to level the area. A turbine interchange requires a level surface, otherwise the exits will be too steep, causing traffic jams. The optimal loop radius is 4-6 road segments (in the road settings you can enable grid display for accuracy).

Step 2. Construction of main roads

Lay out two main roads (highway or highway) so that they intersect at right angles. B CS2 can be used Snapping (adhesion) for perfect alignment. The distance between roads must be at least 8 cells, otherwise the loops of the ramps will intersect.

Step 3: Adding exits

Start by building four main exits (one for each direction). B CS2 convenient to use Road Tool in mode Curve (key C). The radius of the curve should be at least 3 segments, otherwise the trucks will slow down. After building the ramps, add auxiliary acceleration lanes (acceleration lanes) 2-3 segments long.

Step 4: Setting Priorities

Open menu Traffic Manager (mod or built-in traffic settings) and set priorities:

• Main highway lanes - maximum priority.
• Conventions - medium priority.
• Auxiliary stripes - low priority (so as not to block the main thread).

B CS2 this can be done through the panel Road Settings → Traffic Priority.

Level the territory (Terrain Tools)

Build main roads at 90°

Add exits with a radius of ≥3 segments

Set acceleration lanes (2-3 segments)

Configure traffic priorities -->

⚠️ Attention: If, after the construction of the interchange, trucks begin get stuck on exits, check the tilt angle. B CS2 vehicles cannot climb steeper slopes 15%. Use Terrain Toolsto smooth out the relief.

Typical mistakes when building interchanges and how to avoid them

Even experienced players Cities Skylines 2 make mistakes that lead to eternal traffic jams. Let's look at the most common of them and ways to solve them.

1. Acceleration lanes are too short

If the exit from the highway leads directly to an intersection with a traffic light, cars do not have time to pick up speed, which creates a traffic jam. Solution: extend the acceleration lane to 3-4 segments and add auxiliary lane (auxiliary lane) before the traffic light. B CS2 this can be done through the menu Road Upgrades.

2. Incorrect lane priorities

By default, all bands in CS2 have the same priority, which leads to chaos at the junctions. For example, a car leaving the highway may block the main traffic. Solution: use Traffic Manager (mod or built-in settings) to assign priorities:

• 🚗 Main stripes - high priority.
• 🚛 Truck ramps - average.
• 🚲 Bicycle paths - low (if they cross exits).

3. Ignoring pedestrian traffic

B CS2 pedestrians actively influence traffic. If the junction crosses a pedestrian area but there are no crossings, people will cross the road in random places, blocking movement. Solution: add underground or overground passages (in the menu Pedestrian Paths) and place them at a distance of at least 50 meters from exits.

4. Lack of alternative routes

If all the cars go through one junction, it will inevitably become blocked. B CS2 this is especially critical due to dynamic traffic. Solution: build parallel roads with lower capacity (such as two-lane streets) to distribute the load. Use the tool Traffic View (key T) to see which routes are congested.

Advanced techniques: how to optimize junctions for high loads

When your city grows to 50+ thousand inhabitants, standard interchanges will no longer cope. In this section - advanced techniques for maximum efficiency.

1. Using smart traffic lights

B CS2 traffic lights can be configured for specific traffic flows. For example, at a diamond junction you can make it so that left turns had a separate phase. To do this:

1. Select an intersection.
2. Open Traffic Lights Manager.
3. Add a new phase for left turns.
4. Set the timer for 5-7 seconds (enough for 10-15 cars).

This will reduce traffic jams by 30-40%.

2. Separation of flows by type of transport

In large cities it is useful to separate lanes for passenger cars, trucks And public transport. B CS2 this is done through the menu Road Settings → Lane Restrictions. For example:

• 🚌 The far left lane is for buses and taxis only.
• 🚛 Middle lane - trucks and vans.
• 🚗 Right lane - passenger cars.

This reduces the number of conflicts between different types of transport.

3. Multi-level junctions with tunnels

If space is limited and traffic is high, build multi-level interchanges with tunnels and overpasses. B CS2 there is a tool for this Bridge & Tunnel Tool (hotkey B). An example of an effective scheme:

1. The main highway runs along an overpass.
2. The ramps go into tunnels underground.
3. Minor roads remain at ground level.

This allows you to separate the flows by height and avoid intersections.

How to check the effectiveness of decoupling?

Use Traffic View (key T) and pay attention to:

- Road color: green - free, red - traffic jam.

- Car speed: If the average speed is below 20 km/h, the junction is congested.

- Number of stops: if cars stop more than once per minute, you need to optimize traffic lights.

Mods to improve endings in Cities Skylines 2

Basic tools CS2 allow you to build effective interchanges, but with mods the process becomes simpler and more flexible. Here are the top 5 mods that are worth installing.

1. Traffic Manager: President Edition (TM:PE)

This mod adds advanced traffic light settings, lane priorities and even adaptive phases, which adapt to traffic. B CS2 it is especially useful for large junctions where flows need to be precisely controlled. For example, you can configure a traffic light so that it missed trucks at nightwhen there are more of them.

2. Network Extensions 2

Adds new road types, including asymmetrical junctions And specialized congresses for trucks. B CS2 this helps to build more realistic schemes, for example, junctions with separate lanes for buses.

3. Move It!

Allows place objects more accurately, including roads and elements of interchanges. B CS2 this is especially useful for non-standard schemes, where you need to align ramps with pixel accuracy. For example, you can manually adjust the angle of an overpass to avoid steep inclines.

4. Roundabout Builder

Automates construction roundabouts (roundabouts) of any size. B CS2 this saves time, especially if you need to build several identical junctions in an industrial area. Mod supports multi-level rings, which is useful for large intersections.

5. Advanced Vehicle AI

Improves the behavior of transport at junctions. For example, cars in CS2 with this mod less likely to brake for no reason and make better use of acceleration lanes. This is especially noticeable at turbine junctions, where the standard AI sometimes confuses the exits.

Mod	Main function	Useful for junctions	CS2 Compatible
Traffic Manager: PE	Traffic lights and priorities management	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Yes (updated for CS2)
Network Extensions 2	New types of roads and junctions	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Yes
Move It!	Accurate object placement	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Yes
Roundabout Builder	Automatic construction of roundabouts	⭐⭐⭐	Yes
Advanced Vehicle AI	Improving transport behavior	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Yes (beta)

⚠️ Attention: Before installing mods in Cities Skylines 2 make a backup copy of your save. Some mods may conflict with game updates, especially if they change traffic mechanics. Check compatibility on the mod page in Steam Workshop.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about interchanges in CS2

🚧 Why do traffic jams constantly form at my interchange, although it was built according to the guide?

Probable reasons:

• 🔹 Incorrect lane priorities - check the settings in Traffic Manager.
• 🔹 Acceleration lanes are too short - increase them to 3-4 segments.
• 🔹 Overloaded alternative routes - build bypass roads.
• 🔹 Pedestrians block exits — add overpasses.

B CS2 also worth checking traffic mode in settings: if enabled Realistic Traffic, cars may brake more often.

🏗️ How to build an interchange on a hilly area?

Use a combination tunnels and overpasses:

1. Level the area with a tool Terrain Tools (slope no more than 10%).
2. Build main roads on overpasses (Elevated Road Tool).
3. Make exits in the form of tunnels (Tunnel Tool) under overpasses.
4. Add acceleration lanes 4-5 segments long.

B CS2 can also be used asymmetrical junctions, where the ramps are located at different levels.

🚦 What traffic light settings are optimal for a diamond interchange?

Recommended configuration:

• 🔴 Main phase: green for forward movement (20 sec).
• 🟡 Left turns: single phase (10 sec).
• 🟢 Right-hand exits: simultaneously with the main phase.
• 🔄 Pedestrian crossings: only when there are no cars (setting Pedestrian Priority: Low).

B CS2 can be used Timed Traffic Lights to synchronize traffic lights at adjacent junctions.

🚛 How to reduce traffic jams from trucks at junctions?

Effective methods:

• 📦 Build separate lanes for trucks (in the menu Road Settings → Lane Restrictions).
• 🏭 Place industrial zones next to the highwayto reduce truck mileage.
• 🚚 Use freight trains for transporting resources between areas.
• ⏱️ Customize night routes for trucks (mod Traffic Manager: PE).

B CS2 you can also limit the number of trucks in traffic settings (Traffic Settings → Vehicle Restrictions).

💡 Is it possible to copy junctions from real cities?

Yes, but with reservations:

• ✅ Suitable: turbine interchanges (for example, in Los Angeles), diamond interchanges (typical of Europe).
• ❌ Not suitable: overly complex multi-level schemes (as in Tokyo) - in CS2 Driver AI can't handle it.
• 🔧 Adaptation: simplify real circuits by removing unnecessary ramps and loops.

For inspiration use Google Maps (Satellite mode) or website Highway Interchanges.