use zones....
for instance this part of li01.ini generates traffic around Manhattan
[zone
nickname = Zone_Li01_001_Planet_Li01_01 ;Manhattan
pos = -33020, 0, -27925
rotate = 0, 104, 0
shape = SPHERE; shape of zone
size = 7000
comment = Manhattan;
sort = 1
toughness = 1; level of ships??
density = 12 ; amount of ships ?
repop_time = 10
max_battle_size = 8
pop_type = li_p_grp, base_cluster_law
relief_time = 10
faction_weight = li_p_grp, 12
faction_weight = li_p_grp_prisoners, 4
faction_weight = co_be_grp, 10
faction_weight = co_hsp_grp, 10
faction_weight = co_kt_grp, 10
faction_weight = co_me_grp, 10
faction_weight = co_nws_grp, 10
faction_weight = co_ni_grp, 10
faction_weight = co_os_grp, 4
faction_weight = co_rs_grp, 10
faction_weight = co_shi_grp, 10
faction_weight = co_ss_grp, 10
faction_weight = co_vr_grp, 8
faction_weight = gd_bh_grp, 3
density_restriction = 4, unlawfuls
encounter = area_defend, 1, 0.070000 ; type of ships
faction = li_p_grp, 1.000000 ; faction (police ships)
encounter = area_bh_defend, 1, 0.030000
faction = gd_bh_grp, 1.000000 ; bounty hunters
encounter = area_armored_prisoner, 1, 0.020000
faction = li_p_grp, 1.000000 ; more police
encounter = area_trade_freighter, 1, 0.090000
faction = co_hsp_grp, 0.260000 ; freighters
faction = co_me_grp, 0.260000
faction = co_ss_grp, 0.260000
faction = co_vr_grp, 0.210000
encounter = area_trade_transport, 1, 0.120000
faction = co_be_grp, 0.100000
faction = co_hsp_grp, 0.100000 ;transports
faction = co_kt_grp, 0.100000
faction = co_me_grp, 0.100000
faction = co_nws_grp, 0.100000
faction = co_ni_grp, 0.100000
faction = co_rs_grp, 0.100000
faction = co_shi_grp, 0.100000
faction = co_ss_grp, 0.100000
faction = co_vr_grp, 0.080000
encounter = area_trade_armored, 1, 0.020000
faction = co_os_grp, 1.000000
encounter = area_lifter, 1, 0.030000
faction = co_me_grp, 0.500000
faction = co_ss_grp, 0.500000
encounter = area_repair, 1, 0.030000
faction = co_me_grp, 0.500000
faction = co_ss_grp, 0.500000
the same way you can make patrol paths (navmap) and tradelane zones (ships enter tradelanes)