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====== Automation ======

In Rail Route you will get upgrades and sensors that can help you automate your network.
From smaller upgrades to full automation by the help of sensors and game logic.

This makes you able to expand to large networks without the need of constant manual dispatching.

You can also take a look at [[mechanics:shunting|shunting]] to get help to automate the intermission process of [[mechanics:contracts:regional|regional]] trains for example.

===== Auto-accept trains =====

Auto-accept trains allows a station to direct new trains to their corresponding platforms. 

An incoming train needs to have a platform set in their contract/trial to automatically come into the station. If the platform is not free, it will wait until the platform is free, on a first-come-first-serve basis. 

Note: Auto-accept will not work for trains set to use "any" platform
===== Auto-reverse trains =====

Dead-end platforms (that is, the platform is only connected on one side) will automatically reverse trains once stopped. 

Once researched, every station has this automatically applied, but can be switched on/off per-station basis. 

Note: This only applies to platforms that are connected on a single side only. Once it is set as a through station (connected at both ends) this feature will stop working for that platform. It is recommended to research the departure-sensor which will automatically reverse trains if needed.

===== Auto Signal =====

Unlocked by the research "Automatic Routing", an Auto signal can create a route by setting every switch along a path to the next signal.

With the Green Tier 2 research Routing Queue, the Auto signal can also be set in perpetual mode which will constantly fleet the signal along a single route. 

The Auto signal is also required for every other type of sensor to work.

===== Departure sensor =====

Built on a Platform, a Depature Sensor controls Auto Signals on its ends to automatically route the departing and passing trains to their respective destinations given by their timetables.

This sensor reads the next station of the timetable, and then creates a route according to the corresponding rule in the routing table.

Note: This sensor will only work for platforms with Auto Signals
==== Advanced departure sensor ====

===== Arrival sensor =====

Built on a Track connected to an Auto Signal and a station, it controls the signal to automatically create a route when a train is passing over the sensor. 

If the train is heading to the connected Station and the train's designated platform can be reached from the connected signal, the path to that platform is automatically created. 

==== Advanced arrival sensor ====

===== Relay sensor =====

The Relay Sensor is the simplest and cheapest form of sensor in the game. Once built on a track and linked to a signal, a single route for the signal is selected. A train passing over the sensor will trigger the route automatically.

The Relay Sensor is ideally used to automate crossing routes or where multiple tracks converge to a single track.

Note: To manage trains destined to different stations, research "Routing Sensor" for a more powerful version of the Relay sensor.
===== Routing sensor =====

Built on a track, it controls the auto signal to automatically route the passing train to their next station stop given by their timetable and according to the corresponding rule in the routing table.

==== Advanced routing sensor ====