Hey guys, today I've uploaded another update to Steam. This time, it's a day earlier than usual, as I want to start working on the beta test for ATS version 1.55 afterward so I can make all the necessary preparations.

As usual, I've adjusted the fuel prices for the individual US states in the game to the average values ​​from last week.

The second (more important) point is the introduction of the new (more realistic) pricing structures for paying for goods transport. Unfortunately, that didn't go as smoothly as I'd hoped last time. But this time everything will be better. I'm sure of it. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

For everyone, here's the post with the fundamental explanations on the topic to read: https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/workshop/filedetails/discussion/3423330669/596277751540939565

I used the given time to do some more fine-tuning. For example, I tried to adjust the pay rates for the different trailer types to match the statistics I'd read about them. Okay, I did make one deviation after all. Hazardous goods transports are usually overpaid by only 3 cents per mile. Here, I was much more generous. (I contradict myself at this point...) And for valuable cargo, there are also a few cents per mile on top.

On average, across all cargo trailer combinations, the base pay rate is $2.36 per mile (standard deviation $0.31) after fine-tuning. Depending on the type of cargo and the type of trailer being transported, this can be more or less. The base pay can be further increased a bit by gaining training levels (valuable, fragile, or urgent cargo).

Using your own trailers adds a lot to the salary, ultimately resulting in the salary values ​​from the statistics I've read on the subject. The statistics indicate that about 20 to 30% of the total salary remains with the freight company and only 70 to 80% with the driver with their own truck. However, if you also drive your own trailer, I thought it would only be fair to receive these 20 to 30% as well. After all, you're essentially the transport company yourself. With the 30% salary increase, I've reached the upper limit. (Maybe I try owning trailers again after this adjustment.)

In addition to this second point, I've also addressed a few smaller points, which I'd like to briefly explain here. I've reduced the base pay for each job, especially for a self-employed driver (from $180(60) to $159(59)). Prices ending in 9 seem more commonplace. I reduced the price by about $20 per trip because the previous price seemed to me too high.

Due to the changed price structure of the transportation rewards, I've also adjusted the special compensation for long-distance jobs. This is intended to maintain the attractiveness of long-distance jobs. However, since after all that fine-tuning, there are left a few cents more per mile. This led to a noticeable overpayment for long-distance jobs. Therefore, I've adjusted this special compensation.

I've reduced the rank-based bonus payment for valuable and fragile cargo a little bit again. This is already taken into account in the base reward for individual transported goods. We are talking about a reduction of just 0.05 %/rank. Besides, nobody needs that much money ;>

I read in the transport statistics that you have to plan for 33 to 40% empty runs when running your business. I found that surprisingly high. I hadn't expected it at all. But if that's true, I wanted to take it into account in the game. Therefore, I significantly increased the probability of driving without a trailer from 7.5% to 30% (employed drivers only).

And one final adjustment concerns the speeding fines. I had a calculation error in my Excel spreadsheets that I hadn't noticed for a long time. At one point I had forgotten to convert between mph and km/h. Well, even NASA space rockets have crashed because of such little things...

So, now I hope for a smooth launch with the new update. Have fun and good luck to all of you with the even tougher economic challenges.

Change log:
* updated fuel prices and dependent maintenance and insurance costs
* complete revision of the pricing structure for freight transport
* significantly increased bonus reward on cargo market vom 15 to 30%
* slightly reduced fixed reward vom $180(60) to $159(59)
* adjustment of the long-distance reward compensation
* slightly reduced rank-based bonus rewards for valuable and fragile goods from 0.8 to 0.75%/rank
* significantly increased probability for empty jobs vom 7.5 to 30%
* corrected fine calculation for over-speeding

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