Traffic Dynamics in Scholastic Environments

Alex Katkova

AbstractThe purpose of this project is to model TJ students in their native environment throughout a typical school day. The goal is to have dots to represent the students moving on the basis of probability to various parts of the building. Students and teachers alike would be interested to see how clumps of students travel around the school. They would be able to see which areas need to be avoided and construct quickest routes.

BackgroundThe idea behind modeling is to create computational devices and them simulate them to model real phenomena. Sugarscape – a simulation of agents moving around piles of sugarTraffic jam simulation – made discoveries about human behaviorA goal is to make similar discoveries about student traffic

Usefulness

Entertainment value for students and teachersAllows planning of routes for those interestedMay show that TJ needs a new building to accommodate all the studentsShows the feasibility of current fire drills at TJWill allow users to experiment with different class and break lengths – which could illustrate some scheduling problems.

Algorithms

The main algorithm involved is the breadth-first searchGeneral process for a step (not related to the bfs):1) Check whether you're supposed to be on break or in class2) Check if you need to switch floors – if you do, head for the nearest staircase, if you don't then head for your class.3) Go to the position that will get you nearer to your destination

Fire Drill

The user may start a fire drill by pressing a button. The students head to their specified locations for a drill Can demonstrate the current efficiency of the fire drill procedure

Expected Results

Several windows that represent floorsRooms and walls clearly displayedCorrect movement of studentsFire drillAbility to control environment variablesIndication of dot class

Development

First Quarter: Display both floorsHave students move in random fashionSecond Quarter: Read in schedulesHave students follow schedulesThird Quarter: Refine student movementAdd fire drillFourth Quarter: Allow user to manipulate variables, add lunch