Ambient (NPC) traffic in stations?

[Alsabretion]

Gday all,

Unfortunately I cant get into either of the core game modes so I have to ask such a trivial question here (cant find anything by searching either)

Is there NPC traffic in/around stations? (eg. traders coming/going etc?)
After doing tutorials repeatedly (for the joy of flying) it got me wondering about 'rules of the road' inside stations and for entering/exiting.

1. Do you encounter this kind of traffic inside stations?
2. Is there any station level 'road rules' or otherwise to control entering/exiting and movement within the station when coming in to land or taking off?

I am assuming (and STRONGLY hoping) this exists... just wondering how it is practically implemented.

Cheers for your time!

 

[Lobstris]

1. Yes there are NPC buzzing around.
2. There are no formal road rules - docking is a free-for-all, however...

...it feels like their should be road rules as there are clearly indicated green and red lanes at stations that feel like they should be used (and personally I try to stick with entering/exiting on the green side), however...

...the AI is currently a bit 'spatially inept' (ahem!) and either flies through the middle, or even worse, gets stuck in the docking slot. Then tends to get shot by station defences. *Edit* However the Beta 2 AI *is* generally more competent and quicker at docking than the Beta 1 AI who were just dynamic roadblocks.

In all it could be a lot better. (Crosses fingers and prays that Elite 5 is a more complete simulator, with Space Traffic Control implemented).

 

[Grinchy]

Lobstris said it all...

Sometimes youll get "Warning, Request Denied" when requesting docking permission...
Not sure if this is a bug or if npc's are occupying MY landing zone

 

[Alsabretion]

Ahh awesome, that sounds great!

Given AI pilots are able to navigate asteroid belts in combat I am sure that they can be made to follow some basic road rules with a bit of tinkering... A slightly more formalised entry/exit and movement to/from the LZs would be good by the sound of it.

I could see the docking slot working like a traffic light controlled by the station's 'air traffic controller'; the entry/exit slot could be one way colour coded and the ATC can advise individuals to loiter outside/stay on the pad depending on which currently has right of way.

Cheers for the reply anyway!