Using Heuristic Search with Pedestrian Simulation Statistics to Find Feasible Spatial Layout Design Elements

Abstract

A spatial layout design must consider not only ease of movement, but also safety in a panic situation, such as an emergency evacuation in a theatre, stadium or hospital. Using pedestrian simulation statistics, the activity of crowds can be used to study the consequences of different spatial layouts. A cellular automaton has been proposed to model pedestrian simulation so that pedestrian flows can be explored at a microscopic level. We examined four-way pedestrian flow statistics generated from feasible seating layout solutions using heuristic search techniques (hill climbing, simulated annealing and genetic algorithm style operators). The technique has shown promising results in identifying useful characteristics of spatial layout and sources of the pedestrian clogging phenomenon.