Pedestrian circulation simulation based on Ant Colony System in site analysis

Abstract

Site analysis is among the first steps in the architectural design process. Diverse ways of the aforementioned step can cause dramatic changes in solutions and final designs. Considering different parameters that impact current pedestrian circulation system design, the process of site analysis has become more complicated and additional critical items can interfere with this process. Therefore, it would be worthwhile to quantify the qualities in order to evaluate site analysis. As the nature of Ant Colony System algorithm is compatible with the nature of site analysis, it has been used to simulate pedestrian circulation inside a proposed site. Based on the simulated diagrams of people movement with the assumption that the building is constructed, the designer or planner would be able to place entrances and different occupancies in appropriate locations, find the noisy zones, and have a reasonable understanding of the pedestrian circulation in the proposed site.