[1.1.3] Rail signal's output signals names need to change

[ickputzdirwech]

I envisioned more like this. But you got the idea.

with LEDs.png (100.83 KiB) Viewed 1393 times

[Nidan]

Essentially (but not tooltip friendly):

Red - no available route past this signal
Yellow - caution, slow down and stop at the next signal
Green - all clear, go go go
Blue - some routes are available (but it might not be yours)

Yellow - all clear, go go go
Green - no train approaching

Signal colors in factorio aren't useful for train drivers as they'll only see the yellow of their own reservation or red/blue at a signal they have to stop in front of. The current scheme is more useful to someone intending to cross the tracks...


Regarding the actual topic, the description currently matches the aspect shown by the signal and wouldn't loose that meaning even if the default signals were A/B/C/D. Using the matching colored signals makes sense, but isn't required for understanding when which signal will be emitted.


Understanding the meaning of each signal aspect is a completely different issue. The circuit network UI may be changed to display the meaning instead of the aspect, but it shouldn't be the place where a player learns the meanings of each aspect. I.e. a circuit network UI set to
Blocked - A
Reserved - B
(All) Free - C
Partially Free - D
must still be understandable without knowing the default signal for each meaning. Including colored dots showing the corresponding aspect won't help colorblind players, so the UI must be understandable without them.

[ickputzdirwech]

Including colored dots showing the corresponding aspect won't help colorblind players

I am no expert here, but writing "red" or "green" is probably even less helpful for a colorblind person than showing the colorblind person the same color as the chain signal shows and a description of the functionality corresponding to that color.

[Nidan]

Including colored dots showing the corresponding aspect won't help colorblind players

I am no expert here, but writing "red" or "green" is probably even less helpful for a colorblind person than showing the colorblind person the same color as the chain signal shows and a description of the functionality corresponding to that color.

For chain signals, true. For normal signals you at least have the position of the lights.

[foamy]

For chain signals, true. For normal signals you at least have the position of the lights.

Yep. Which is borrowed from real signalling, which uses the position of the lights for that exact reason.