Pedestrians in microscopic traffic simulation. Comparison between software Viswalk and Legion for Aimsun.

Pedestrians make up an important group in the transport system, but their role in traffic planning is often indefinite. Microscopic traffic simulation is a recognised tool for traffic planning and analysis. Software has been developed to handle both the behaviour of pedestrians and all characteristics of vehicular traffic, trying to simulate their complex interaction. The aim of this study is to analyse the utility and possibilities for integration of pedestrians in microscopic traffic simulation. The study includes an examination and comparison of two software programs – Viswalk and Legion for Aimsun – with the additional purpose of defining a decision support tool for choice of software in different situations. The study is conducted in four main phases. The first phase is an overview of pedestrian planning with consideration to pedestrian characteristics and requested measurements. It is found that a software examination should regard model construction, pedestrian behaviour and performance measurements. The second phase is an examination of software Viswalk and Legion for Aimsun, with regards to these aspects. In this phase, it is found that definition of pedestrian types, the predefinitions for pedestrian crossings and features for modelling pedestrians as PT passengers differ between the software. To complement these findings, simulations are performed in the third phase of the study, where the aspects ease of use, modification possibilities, pedestrian behaviour and performance measurements are evaluated. For the fourth and final phase, the analysis is conducted and major Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats found in each software program are evaluated and compiled in a SWOT analysis. The analysis results in a tool for analysing the possibilities to perform a pedestrian traffic simulation of a potential situation. The major differences between the two examined software programs are that Viswalk is more transparent and provide more modification possibilities whereas Legion for Aimsun is easier to use and gives a better visualisation with default settings. For each situation, the utility of a simulation and the possibilities provided by available software, determine whether a pedestrian traffic simulation should be conducted or not, and in which software. As long as simulations are critically assessed, there is great utility and many possibilities for integration of pedestrians in microscopic traffic simulations. Pedestrians are gaining more focus in traffic planning and deserve greater recognition in microscopic traffic simulations. These two improvements would enhance each other.