Integrating spatio-temporal data in
agent-based simulations for
emergency navigation support
Zhiyong Wang
In cooperation with Sisi Zlatanova
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Content
Background
Research question
Research methodology
The prototype system architecture
Use cases
Data and software
Proposed timetable
Planned Publications
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Disaster management and Emergency
navigation
Pros and cons of GIS tools
Pros
 database management
 spatial analysis
 geographical visualization
 ……….
Cons
 dynamic modelling
 simulation
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Agent based Modeling of Simulation
Agent is:
- a piece of code to describe dynamic phenomena
(moving people, events, plume...)
An agent-based model (ABM) is:
- a class of computational models
- provides simulation of actions and interactions of
autonomous agents (both individual or groups)
The goal is assessing effects on the dynamic system
as a whole (e.g. disaster management, evacuation,
natural phenomena, etc. )
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Examples of
Agent-based modeling
Predator Prey model
http://www.xjtek.com/anylogic/de
mo_models/11/
Swarm following the leader
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f510pma
hpE8
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Pros and cons of Agent Model simulation
Pros
 Complex dynamics
 Behavior and interaction between agents
 Prediction
 ……….
Cons
Data used are mostly simulated(no real data)
 Predetermined model
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Integration of GIS and Agent-Based
Model Simulation
Agents and Networks: Commuting Arena Evacuation Simulation in EPT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvkz1
HwEWXU&feature=socblog_th
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixTi
uLwlLSc&feature=related
Deficiencies of the existing integration of ABM and GIS
 Uses lacks real data
 Uses real maps and 3D models but hardly real-time
data ( e.g. GPS tracks, plume movement)
 Rigid input parameters
 Predefined model (No correction)
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Dynamic Data Driven
Application System (DDDAS)
DDDAS formulates simulation models and methods with:
- dynamically measured data,
- algorithms,
- system tools,
- mathematical and statistical advances
The challenges are:
- how to incorporate additional data
-how to dynamically steer the measurement process?
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Main Research question
Is integration of spatial data (static such as
2D/3D models and dynamic such as real time
measurements) into agent-based simulations
able to better support the emergency
navigation considering human movements and
moving disasters?
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The prototype system architecture
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1. Research questions related to GIS
What kind of information will be needed for agent-based simulation?
How to derive the network from these information
What kind of relationships between agents and spatio-temporal objects
will support the simulation?
What kind of data model should be used for management of the dynamic
data that includes the real-time data, the information of moving objects
(disasters, pedestrian, vehicles, etc.)
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2. Research questions related to
Agents
How many types of agents should be developed?
What kind of user profile should be considered for route determination
under emergencies?
What kind of rules should be designed for agents to dictate their
behaviors?
How can we evaluate the behaviors of the agents(e.g. rescue vehicle agent,
etc.)?
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3. Research questions related to
routing
What kind of routing algorithms should be considered?
What kind of re-routing strategy should be designed for the agent to avoid
obstacles and disasters?
How does the agent-based simulation system provide navigation services
for both first responders and citizens?
On what kind of network (2D and 3D) the algorithms will be run?
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4.Research questions to DDDAS
What kinds of real-time information can be incorporated into the
simulation model?
How to correct the agent-based model with real-time data?
How to verify and validate the developed simulation model?
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Research Methodology
Literature study and technology requirements
Literature study and technology investigations
Conceptual design
1. Design a multi-agent simulation framework for moving
objects (considering GPS tracks)
2. Extend the multi-agent simulation network by considering
disaster models (considering real measurements)
Implementation
developing prototype
Validation and Adaptation
Conduct tests in different scenarios
Make improvement based on the test results.
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Use case 1: Agent-based modeling of
human movements during disasters
Jam
Different pattern s of human
movements
Flee
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Demo 1: updating positions with GPS tracks
During the demo is running you have to explain in when GPS tracks will be used
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Use case 2: Agent-based approach for
emergence navigation considering the
dynamics of disasters
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Demo 2: moving plume updated with measurements
obtained from the field
{position, type of geometry, moving speed, direction}
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Software and Data
Software:
Programing language: Java
Programming tools: Eclipse, Java 3D, Java OpenGL
Visualization tool: Bentley
Agent-based modelling toolkit: REPAST, MASON
DBMS: PostGIS or Oracel Spatial
Data:
available 2D and 3D data
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Proposed timetable
Year 1
Literature study and technology investigations
Create the agents for modeling the movements of
rescuers corrected with GPS tracking
 Make predictions based on mathematical models
 Implement the data models for moving objects
 Test the prototype system in the road network
Improve the system based on test results
Extend the work into 3D environment
Proposed timetable
Year 2:
 Design and implement a multi-agent system
for emergency navigation
 Connect the multi-agent simulation model with the
disaster model
 Extend the work into 3D environment
Year 3:
Test the agent-based simulation system
in different scenarios
Improve the models of agents.
Year 4
Extend the work considering the disasters and
communication between agents
Assess and improve our systems.
Write the thesis.
Planned publications
Regular reports
 2 or 3 conference papers per year
e.g. ISCRAM, AAMAS, DDDAS,UDMS etc.
2 papers in reviewed scientific journals
e.g. Computational Geosciences, Computers and Geosciences,
international journal of emergency response
Thanks for your attention!
Any questions and suggestions?
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