Citation

Blue V, Adler J. Transp. Traffic Theory 1999; 14: 235-254.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Publisher varies)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Cellular Automata (CA) has recently emerged as a technique for modeling complex behavior using a set of simple rules. CA is named after the principle of "automata" (entities) occupying "cells" according to localized neighborhood rules of occupancy. The CA local rules prescribe the behavior of automata creating an approximation of actual behavior. Emergent group behavior is an outgrowth of the interaction of the microsimulation rule set. Unlike traditional simulation models that apply equations and not behavioral rules, CA behavior-based cellular changes of state determine the emergent results. Furthermore, CA models function as discrete idealizations of the partial differential equations that describe fluid flows and allow simulation of flows and interactions that are otherwise intractable. This paper presents CA microsimulation models of uni- and bi-directional pedestrian walkways to demonstrate the ability of capturing fundamental properties of pedestrian movements using a fairly simple rule-based approach. The paper begins by characterizing the pedestrian flow problem. A brief literature review of previous modeling efforts is provided. The formulations for the uni- and bi-directional walkway cases are described. This is followed by a discussion of results gathered from numerous simulation experiments. Included is a comparison of emergent flow patterns to the fundamental parameters described in the Highway Capacity Manual (1994).