A traffic lock is an automatic lock placed on a road segment based on the volume of traffic that traverses the segment. An editor may lock a segment to a rank which is higher but not lower than the traffic lock.
calculation
world
USA
Traffic locks are not (yet) implemented in the USA. Details are being worked out. No segment should be automatically locked to rank 6. We're seeking immunity for AMs within their managed area and don't intend to sign off on activating traffic locks unless this is achieved one way or another. Unlocking roads for a lower ranked editor is not possible.
In addition to the users' permission ranks, the combined lock scheme takes into consideration the road's rank based on how busy it is (how much driving has taken place there). Each segment gets a weight based on how busy it is and this weight scales similarly to permission ranks to compute the traffic lock rank.
Generally, new users (rank 1 or 2) won't be able to edit busy roads. Starting from 3 cones - users can edit ~90% of the roads. Users with 5 and 6 cones can edit 100% of the roads.
Clarifications:
- Users may edit only in their editable areas. Traffic locks further restrict roads in their areas.
- Segments are always "locked" at least to the traffic lock rank. If an editor locks it, it is locked to the higher of the two ranks.