Review of Simulation Techniques for Microscopic Mobility of Pedestrian Movement

Pritikana Das

doi:10.3759/ttea.v1i1.2805

Abstract

Simulation techniques are very useful for developing models or systems over time torepresent the real-world scenarios. The model represents the key characteristics orbehaviors/functions of the selected physical or abstract system or process. Simulationtechniques are useful when the real system cannot be engaged, because of inaccessibility,or dangerous or is unacceptable to engage or does not exist. Microscopic characteristicsof pedestrian traffic consider speeds, walking directions, distances between pedestrians,relative positions, passing behavior and group behavior. In microscopic approachindividual pedestrians are evaluated in the study which is required for detailed design ofpedestrian infrastructure. In this study various microsimulation models, tools andmicroscopic data collection techniques have been discussed briefly to encouragedesigners, policy planners to implement pedestrian facilities considering the microscopicapproach. Level of service criterion and guidance for capacity manual can beimplemented by including microscopic characteristics of pedestrians. Microscopicsimulation models are broadly divided into five categories named cellular-based model,physical force-based model, behavioral modeling, queuing network model and agentbasedmodel. Various simulation tools are basically based on these four models.Nowadays a new model combining cellular automata and social-force model has beenproposed. This study is required to update designers or planners about variousmicroscopic approaches and helpful for designing real situation with details ofpedestrian movement to improve pedestrian traffic facilities.