Docking Protocol Idea

[GiantCorn]

Hi Everyone,

After a few hours of solid trading I have noticed that Docking is somewhat hazardous. There appears to be a serious lack of approach, entry and landing protocols. It seems insane to me that once you are given clearance and assigned a landing pad that basically there are no protocols at all to regulate traffic flow.

Im not saying we need to be totally **** about this - that would kill the fun having to follow holding patterns etc

BUT - what do you all think about say a gentleman`s agreement that all traffic entering/exiting the letterbox should pass to the RIGHT, keeping other ships to your left shoulder. I say this because captains seat are usually the left side, so you have more of a view for clearance.

We could do the same for traffic once inside the station - once entered maybe everyone can agree to keep other vessels on your left shoulder, initiate a right turn in event of collision?

Thoughts?

 

[en1gma]

It's been addressed in many threads before this but I understand the issue more now I've tried the lakon. In my sidewinder I was that annoying pilot that flew out full boost without a care in the world. With the possibility of a large insurance bill it's another matter. I'm finding the AI to be worse than other pilots as they enter the dock at walking speed in the middle and then just hang around in the way. Meanwhile, the authority is cracking it telling me to stop loitering with no way to actually get out. I haven't wanted to test but does the lakon 6 at full shields just repel vipers, haulers and Sidewinders? I hope so because that may become the exit method of choice.

 

[MarcusReed]

I've never had a problem docking. Even with traffic and noobs (like myself) in the same docking area.

Its in fact one of the best mechanics in the game imo.

Not sure what your doing wrong. Just keep practicing.

 

[GiantCorn]

I have actually been totally fine with docking, it is quite easy (I played Elite and F:E2).

I too have seen NPC ships loitering just inside the entry causing a potential collision hazard! Is this dodgy AI or pathfinding?

I can just forsee the potential for collisions at some point especially with the larger ships. But if most responses are like yours then maybe it is not a problem. I just wondered how many people have had issues or think they could.

 

[Cmdr Andy B]

the problem with staying to one side is that its easy to do when exiting the station as you dont have to compensate for rotation, try it in the other direction with something large and its a whole other story.

 

[Rickenbacker]

BUT - what do you all think about say a gentleman`s agreement that all traffic entering/exiting the letterbox should pass to the RIGHT, keeping other ships to your left shoulder. I say this because captains seat are usually the left side, so you have more of a view for clearance.

Which right? Two ships can both use their right, and still be on the same side of the slot.

There IS a green side and a red side, and they're different depending on whether you're entering or exiting. I generally try to stick to the green side if I can, but most people don't, so it's kind of pointless.

 

[GiantCorn]

Which right? Two ships can both use their right, and still be on the same side of the slot.

There IS a green side and a red side, and they're different depending on whether you're entering or exiting. I generally try to stick to the green side if I can, but most people don't, so it's kind of pointless.

Good point, I assumed that there would be some sort of distinguishing feature of the entry exit to denote an "up" side and a "down" side. If there is no such deliniation then my comment would indeed be impractical!

Perhaps the green/red as you say would suffice. I dont think it is pointless to voice the idea and see if there are enough readers who agree and decide - regardless of what others do - to implement the agreement.

MY OP was basically:

Do we think there is sufficent potential for collisions and slow docking due to congestion from lack of flow?
If YES, what rule can WE implement to try and smooth this issue?
Most players wont do it but for those that do, good for you in bringing a bit of order to the chaos!

Cheers

GC

 

[MrBungle]

Yep, as long as people stick to the right/green it should be all good, I'm not sure we need anything else. Obviously you can't budget for the behaviour of NPC's (they seem to do all sorts of ridiculous things entering stations especially), but if players stick to this it should make things a bit easier (getting people to actually do it is another thing altogether though, obviously).

 

[fireFly1000]

I usually fly on the 'right' side as marked by the green lights.
Unfortunately in the beta build some stations don't seem to have red/green lights on the outside which is a shame.
Also I hope they improve docking AI to allow NPCs to follow the driving on the 'right' rule too, otherwise our left and right debate won't matter because NPCs will drive 99% of the ships.

 

[forger]

there are green lights at one end and red lights at other, i always try to dock closer to green lights and exit station closer to green lights, why other player do not see green lights i don't know.

also i never had any problems docking (entering, laving) with lykon type 9 so i do not see any problem at all