Id like to point out an error with the pathfinding code that I have observed in my games for the last couple versions but I can use the Developer Blog #50 as my example that you can watch to see the error in action in the same manner I have observed in my games.
At the start of the game video, cliffski is pointing out changes made to pathfinding and how difficult it is to program. Starting from 2:30 in the video to 5:00 in the video the viewpoint is located on a small section showing goods moving over the conveyor system. At 3:27 in the video a chunk of the conveyor system is deleted causing goods to find a new path to destinations past the point that has been removed. At 3:54 in the video the missing chunk is repaired. The problem you will notice if you ignore the discussion and just focus on the goods moving over the conveyor from 2:30 to 5:00 is that at the start disk brakes and tires among other things are flowing over the path where the conveyor section gets deleted as this is the shortest path and is used frequently for these items. Obviously when the conveyor section is deleted they find a new path around the break. The PROBLEM is that when the break is repaired you would think the shortest path would again take over as the best path but if you watch it is never used and the pathfinding doesn’t change.
I believe this is a bug. I have noticed the same behavior in my own games and would respefully like to bring it Cliffski’s attention.
Thank you for the consideration.