Guide to the Simulator
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If you're new to the Simulator, this page introduces all its features so you can make the most of the program.
Setting Off
To begin your journey, open up the Simulator page on CBRD and click the 'Launch' button. The program will open in a new window, shown below.
The 'Start' screen of the program.
The first screen asks you to select your starting point - it's a simple list showing a range of roads and directions. Pick one, then click the 'start' button to begin your journey.
Driving Along
The main screen, pictured below, is split into three areas.
The Simulator's interface.
To the left of the window is a list of controls, the most important of which is the large 'Continue' button that moves you forward. The pale blue panel to the right is a virtual 'sky' against which the signs you pass are displayed. Below both these is a wide panel that shows the narrative text along the journey.
The buttons down the left are your way to interact with the program. Here's what they do:
- Available Now
- Opens a map showing the network currently available to drive in the Simulator.
- Location
- Pops up a message to tell you the Simulator's Location Code for your current location. More on this in the 'Location Codes' section below.
- About
- Opens a page showing general information about the Simulator itself, and more specific information about the road you're driving.
- Start Page
- Returns you to the first screen to select a new starting point.
- Open Location
- Allows you to input a Location Code. More information is in the section of the same name below.
- Database Link
- Will take you to the Motorway Database entry for the road you're driving. It only appears on roads which have pages in the Database.
- Help!
- Opens up these help pages.
- Exit
- Closes the Simulator window. You will lose your current location when this happens.
- Continue
- Takes you on to the next step on the road you're driving.
- Step Back
- Takes you to the previous step on the current road. Note that this is not the same as a "back" button - it doesn't retrace your steps.
The option to join another road.
In addition, you will sometimes encounter another Simulated road. When this happens, one or two new links will appear above the narrative text, inviting you to "change direction" (as in the diagram above). Click on one to turn onto the other road. Note that you can only carry out movements that are possible in real life - limited-access junctions on the ground are the same in the Simulator.
Location Codes
Every point you can visit in the Simulator - meaning every sign you pass in any direction on any road - has its own unique reference, called a Location Code. The Simulator uses these internally to work its way along a road, but users can access the Codes to find their way quickly to a specific point.
For example, if you want to save your place and come back later, clicking the 'Location' button in the main window will pop up a message showing the current Location Code. You can return to that location at any time by opening up the 'Open Location' screen (below), either through the 'Open Location' button on the main screen, or the link on the starting screen.
Enter a Location Code here.
Simply enter the code in the box provided to jump straight back to where you were. Please bear in mind while using this system that the numbers at the end of the code do not relate to motorway junction numbers, and that very occasionally revisions to existing roads may cause the codes to change slightly.
