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The simulation-driven metaheuristic algorithms have been successful in solving numerous problems compared to their deterministic counterparts. Despite this advantage, the stochastic nature of such algorithms resulted in a spectrum of solutions by a certain number of trials that may lead to the uncertainty of quality solutions. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to use a correct tool for measuring the performance of the diverse set of metaheuristic algorithms to derive an appropriate judgment on the superiority of the algorithms and also to validate the claims raised by researchers for their specific objectives. The performance of a randomized metaheuristic algorithm can be divided into efficiency and effectiveness measures. The efficiency relates to the algorithm's speed of finding accurate solutions, convergence, and computation. On the other hand, effectiveness relates to the algorithm's capability of finding quality solutions. Both scopes are crucial for continuous and discrete problems either in single-or multi-objectives. Each problem type has different formulation and methods of measurement within the scope of efficiency and effectiveness performance. One of the most decisive verdicts for the effectiveness measure is the statistical analysis that depends on the data distribution and appropriate tool for correct judgments.

Abstract. The quality of built environment usually influences the walkability of a city. This is because each pedestrian walk differently on different type of facilities or built environment provided to them. This paper aims to investigate whether gender differences influences the pedestrian perception and satisfaction level at three sidewalks located within the Kuala Lumpur City Center by means of questionnaire survey. A total of 317 pedestrians were involved in the questionnaire survey at the three different sidewalk locations. The result shows significant differences in mean satisfaction value between male and female pedestrians. Female pedestrian give lower satisfaction value for overall travel experience at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman but higher satisfaction value at Petaling Street and Bukit Bintang compared to male pedestrian. Overall, the satisfaction level was rated between acceptable to satisfactory regardless of gender differences. Improvements should be made for the safety parameter because both male and female pedestrian gives lowest satisfaction level in that area.

Meta-heuristics optimization is becoming a popular tool for solving numerous problems in real-world application due to the ability to overcome many shortcomings in traditional optimization. Despite of the good performance, there is limitation in some algorithms that deteriorates by certain degree of problem type. Therefore it is necessary to compare the performance of these algorithms with certain problem type. This paper compares 7 meta-heuristics optimization with 11 benchmark functions that exhibits certain difficulties and can be assumed as a simulation relevant to the real-world problems. The tested benchmark function has different type of problem such as modality, separability, discontinuity and surface effects with steep-drop global optimum, bowl-and plateau-typed function. Some of the proposed function has the combination of these problems, which might increase the difficulty level of search towards global optimum. The performance comparison includes computation time and convergence of global optimum.

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