Hallway Traffic Simulator

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Hallway Traffic Simulator

• Peter Riggs
• Computer Systems Lab 06-07

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Abstract

• The purpose of this project is to provide a
  realistic simulation of traffic flow through a
  given hallway environment. The simulation is run
  by a Fortran program, and the results are then
  displayed by a Java viewer which reads from the
  main program.

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Introduction

• Architects can use a traffic simulator to test
  the effectiveness of a hallway design before
  building it. With this program the user can
  input a specific environment and a few initial
  parameters (e.g. student population), and the
  program will demonstrate how successful the
  design is.

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Background

• No research has been done in the area of
  hallwaysdesigns are done by trial error and by
  precedent
• Studies on car traffic have created models for
  traffic volume vs. road width and intersections

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Procedures

• All movement calculations handled by main Fortran
  program
• Main program reads in environment data from text
  file, calculates student movement vs. time,
  exports results to text file
• Java viewer reads and displays movement data,
  user controls playback

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Methods

• For 1000 students, full pathfinding algorithm is
  inefficient
• Node graph used to place guideposts for
  students to simplify pathfinding
• Individuals use local pathfinding to avoid only
  adjacent walls other students, at minimum cost
  to processor

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Methods (ctd.)
A node graph showing the guideposts given to an
individual
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Results

• Students behave as realistic individuals,
  creating accurate traffic patterns
• Developers can input their designs into the
  program for predictions of traffic
• Administrators can program set destinations for
  students to test the feasibility of certain class
  schedules