Kingsday - From science to safer crowds
Large public events such as Koningsdag bring hundreds of thousands of people together in historic city centres. How can we predict where congestion will occur before the event even starts?
In an interview with NEMO Kennislink, I explain how crowd simulations help cities prepare for safe and enjoyable events. The article walks through the workflow behind these simulations.
Creating a realistic crowd simulation is much more than placing virtual people on a map. It involves several steps:
Build a digital environment. Create an accurate representation of the city using GIS, cadastral data and 3D information. Walking areas, buildings and obstacles define where people can move.
Model the event. Add temporary infrastructure such as stages, food trucks, barriers, markets and entrances that are unique to the event.
Estimate visitor demand. Predict when and where visitors arrive, how many people enter each location per second, and what activities they intend to perform.
Model human behaviour. Represent how people navigate, queue, wait, avoid collisions and respond to guidance.
Calibrate and validate. Compare simulation results with measurements from previous events, cameras or sensors to ensure the model accurately reflects reality.
Explore ‘what-if’ scenarios. What if attendance increases by 30%? What if an entrance closes? What if the weather changes? Simulations allow planners to evaluate many scenarios before the event takes place.
Optimise interventions. Test measures such as one-way walking routes, temporary openings, digital signage or crowd nudging, and immediately evaluate their effect on safety and accessibility.
Our research brings together expertise in behavioural science, AI, HPC, GIS, computer graphics, CAD, validation & calibration, and game technology. Together, these disciplines enable evidence-based decisions that help make large-scale events safer and more enjoyable.
A big thank you to Niels Olfert for highlighting how scientific research contributes to public safety.
Want to know more?
Browse our research publications on crowd simulation: https://webspace.science.uu.nl/~gerae101/UU_crowd_simulation_publications.html
Looking to improve safety at your event?
If you’re interested in applying crowd simulation to events, visit www.ucrowds.com to learn how research is translated into operational decision support.
#digitaltwins #crowd #simulation #pedestrianDynamics
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