A Review and Implementation Guide for Basic Cellular Automata Models in Pedestrian Evacuation Simulation

Authors : Abdurrahman Yağmur Topraklı

Pages : 517-530

View : 52 | Download : 78

Publication Date : 2024-09-30

Article Type : Review Paper

Abstract :Efficient and safe evacuation of individuals during emergencies is critical to building design and public safety planning. Cellular Automata (CA) models have emerged as a valuable tool for simulating and analyzing pedestrian evacuation dynamics, offering a balance of computational efficiency and the ability to capture complex emergent behavior. This paper comprehensively reviews basic CA models for pedestrian evacuation simulation, exploring their fundamental principles, strengths, limitations, and implementation considerations. We delve into commonly used models like Floor Field Cellular Automata (FFCA) and Social Force Cellular Automata (SFCA), highlighting their unique characteristics, advantages, and potential drawbacks. A practical implementation guide outlines step-by-step procedures for developing and executing CA-based simulations, from defining the virtual environment and establishing behavioral rules to analyzing the simulation output. We emphasize the importance of data-driven approaches for model calibration and validation, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of simulation results. Finally, we discuss future directions for CA-based evacuation modeling, including integrating more sophisticated behavioral rules, developing hybrid models, and exploring three-dimensional simulations to enhance realism and predictive capabilities. This comprehensive review aims to equip researchers, practitioners, and students with the knowledge and tools to effectively utilize CA models for enhancing safety and preparedness in various evacuation scenarios.
Keywords : Cellular Automata, Evacuation Simulation, Pedestrian Dynamics, Crowd Modeling, Safety Planning, Emergency Preparedness