Title: Crowd simulation: a video observation and agent-based modelling approach

Authors: Shahrol Mohamaddan; Keith Case

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia ' Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK

Abstract: Human movement in a crowd can be considered as complex and unpredictable, and accordingly large scale video observation studies based on a conceptual behaviour framework were used to characterise individual movements and behaviours. The conceptual behaviours were free movement (moving through and move-stop-move), same direction movement (queuing and competitive) and opposite direction movement (avoiding and passing through). Movement in crowds was modelled and simulated using an agent-based method using the gaming software Dark BASIC Professional. The agents (individuals) were given parameters of personal objective, visual perception, speed of movement, personal space and avoidance angle or distance within different crowd densities. Two case studies including a multi-mode transportation system layout and a bottleneck/non-bottleneck evacuation are presented.

Keywords: agent-based modelling; ABM; crowd simulation; observational study; video observation; multi-agent systems; MAS; agent-based systems; human crowds; crowd observation; conceptual behaviour; individual movements; human movement; crowd movement; personal objectives; visual perception; speed of movement; personal space; avoidance angle; distance; crowd densities; multi-mode transport; transport system layout; bottleneck evacuation; non-bottleneck evacuation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDH.2016.079895

International Journal of the Digital Human, 2016 Vol.1 No.3, pp.229 - 247

Received: 15 Jul 2015
Accepted: 03 Mar 2016
Published online: 20 Oct 2016 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article