Development of a Nowcast Crowd Simulation Framework

Abstract

This study aims to develop a nowcast crowd simulation framework using real-time observed data. The framework is a part of the nowcast simulation framework we suggest that can reproduce the present crowd flow of pedestrian space in transportation terminals or city blocks sequentially in real-time. This mechanism aims to understand the crowd situation and avoid the city's concentration on social resource use. The framework consists of the precast process to prepare the input data of the average crowd situation and the nowcast process to reproduce the current crowd situation. This paper is focused on the nowcast process. It suggests a method to understand pedestrian route and OD (Origin to Destination) patterns and to estimate OD demands as the input of the crowd simulation model. The applicability for practical use is confirmed by discussing the framework's requirements and the demonstration in the real field. Finally, the discussions of the nowcast, forecast, and backcast process in the city using the framework are shared as future work.