VISSIM 5.30-05 User Manual

7 Simulation of Pedestrians
In VISSIM, the movement of pedestrians is based on the Social Force Model
(Helbing and Molnár, 1995). The basic idea is to model the elementary
impetus for motion with forces analogously to Newtonian mechanics. From
the social, psychological, and physical forces a total force results, which then
sums up to the entirely physical parameter acceleration. The forces which
influence a pedestrian’s motion are caused by his intention to reach his
destination as well as by other pedestrians and obstacles.
Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing from ETH Zurich acts as scientific advisor for PTV AG.
For the use in VISSIM the Social Force Model was specially expanded by
him.
This simulation model was validated in a threefold way: firstly, macroscopic
parameters were calculated and compared to empirical data, secondly it was
assured that microscopic effects like lane formation in counterflow situations
and stripe formation in crossing flow situations are reproduced, and thirdly a
realistic impression of resulting animations was in the focus.
User Manual © PTV AG 2011 339