"Update" 22: TuLEPs and Things

The Turning Lane Extension Pieces are one of the NAM's newest components with work beginning in 2009 and the first version available as part of NAM 28 in 2010. Since they're relatively young I haven't given them much treatment in my archives thread but that's about to change.TuLEP-like concepts have been around for a long time, but were mostly eyecandy and non-functional such as this one:(Image by Shadow Assassin)The first TuLEPs were a little clunky-looking, but they got the job done.(Image by Tarkus)If you look at that picture you'll notice that one-way roads had some of the first TuLEPs, yet have not made public release even to this day. This is mostly due to configuring issues with other networks.-I could still see this as a useful cosmetic piece in instances where lanes can both turn and go straight.(Image by Tarkus)In fact TuLEPs also applied to the RHW. This was one of the principal goals of the project when it first started. The RHW TuLEPS were later overtaken by the RHW cosmetic pieces.(Images and concepts by Blue Lightening)Eventually designs for roads with right and left turning lanes came around. These were later replaced by the slip lane pieces as these textures often required an extra or overhanging tile of networks with little or no sidewalks.(Image by Nique)(Image by Tarkus)(Image by Tarkus)Eventually the modern TuLEPs we know today came through(Images by Tarkus)Later tweaks:(Images by Tarkus)The appearance of the pieces were later altered to match the markings we see post-release. Euro-style markings were also made for the first public release.(Image by Riiga)(Image by Mandelsoft)Later some more ambitious concepts were attempted including street and one-way road pieces, and even diagonal pieces such as this one:(Image by Tarkus)Even with the TuLEPs selected, users are still able to make the standard road and avenue turning lanes from the RTL plugin. They are also compatible with TuLEPs such as this one so long as the intersections are also replaced.(Image by Haljackey)Later NWM compatibility came, with TuLEPs being able to built in the AVE-6/TLA-7 networks. Some designs are even compatible with other NWM networks without the use of intersection puzzle pieces.(Image by Haljackey)In fact, NWM-TuLEP compatibility has been awesome post-NAM 31. Using a combo of each can create some awesome-looking road networks such as this one:(Image by Haljackey)All in all, TuLEPs just make your road networks look awesome. They won't do much to increase functionality and whatnot, buy they sure let you be creative and let you make your own unique designs!