I have had mixed results while using routes on railroads and automobile highways.

I use "when entering a contact" event to initiate an event. However the route is not always followed.

Sometimes, if I edit the "junction" ( i.e. Intersection or Turnout) and select that route, that path will become available. Then sometime later may not be available.

Question: When using "Routes Only" to change "paths", do you need to also assign "switch" positions also or NOT. I have tried both and seem to still have an inconsistent result.

Feel I'm not executing routes correctly.

Are there do's and don't when using Routes ?

Any help appreciated.

"Routes Only" = With automobile traffic, I'm presently using a random number generator to choose a route to add some variability to traffic flow.

Routes are only suitable for trains. For cars you should use waypoints.

Trains and road vehicles are very different and require different tactics.

A train is steered by the track it runs on.
A car is steered by the driver operating it.

Only one train may ever occupy one stretch of track.
Multiple cars may run on the same stretch, in spite of their different destinations.

All switch points ahead of a train are set for it's detination. If a switch is not set for that path, a signal somewhere ahead of that switch will be set to "Halt", preventing the train from entering that section. 

Roads have no switches at all. at a junction, the road has mutliple connections leading to different directions.

The Route menu is for train traffic. It's not suited for steering cars
The destination icon in the control window is for cars. You can give a car a destination and it will find the correct path across junctions.

For Routes and destinations alike, the maximum number of junctions (on any possible path from the current location to the destonation) may not exceed 7.
With train routes, you may overcome this limitation by setting all switches prior to defining the route and check the box that says something lke "use set path". This option isn't available for cars, because roads have not switch points. But you can give the car a list of waypoints to lead it to the dersired destination.

I hope that clears things up for you?
 

Note: @Phrontistes and I answered simultaneously. I only read his answer after sending mine.

Bearbeitet 19. November 20241 J von Goetz

vor 3 Minuten schrieb Goetz:

lke "use set path"

OH! That's what that does!

Yes that clears things up very well. Thanks @Goetz and @Phrontistes

No wonder my cars behave badly !!!!