Comparison of execution times of three multi-agent platforms (Netlogo/GAMA/Repast simphony) based on the LASCAR model

Abstract

ABSTRACT Three multi-agent simulation platforms (NetLogo, GAMA, Repast Simphony) were tested to find the best platform for the LASCAR model (LAndscape StruCture And Runoff) execution. The LASCAR model simulates the interactions between surface runoff and objects constituting agricultural landscapes (hedges, roads, cultivated plots, etc.). The objective was to evaluate the execution times of NetLogo in view of a potential platform migration of the LASCAR model. To this end, a comparison of the platforms, which is a process that is still rare in the literature, was conducted. We focused on the model execution times during the first 200 iterations and for two simulation environments of different sizes (17.6 km2 and 1.52 km2). The results show that NetLogo is, respectively, 2.7 times and 1.4 times faster than GAMA and Repast Simphony in a simulation environment with 45,000 active cells.