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SimTread was developed as a pedestrian simulation system following a straightforward, highly user‐definable pedestrian and spatial model. Unlike network and mesh models, this pedestrian model is a multi‐agent system in which an individual pedestrian is modeled as an agent. The spatial model is based on actual coordinates, which enables the direct representation of plans using the SimTread model. The crowd characteristics represented by this system were evaluated through test cases by measuring the flow rate, which is a primary indicator of crowd evaluation. The major results are as follows: (a) SimTread demonstrated a reasonable crowd‐behavior simulation in a simple plan that was equivalent to network models. Along with the added benefits of operability, such performance is highly desirable. (b) In cases where a bottleneck accumulated a number of pedestrians sufficient to block nearby exits, SimTread accurately portrayed the resulting crowd propagation. This allowed qualitative crowd analysis.

In the design of large‐scale sports facilities, architectural and fire‐service regulations are consulted to secure evacuation safety. However, these regulations define only the number, width, or amount of evacuation facilities, such as the path, exit, and stairs. These regulations not only limit the flexibility of the architectural design, but also not clarify that how evacuees should be secured or controlled under emergency situation. For this circumstance, we propose guidelines for the design and management of crowd evacuation by showing the process of an actual design project for a large‐scale 40 000‐seat stadium using a multi‐agent evacuation simulator. We mainly discuss three situations: (i) evacuation from the spectator stands, (ii) merging and accumulation around stairs, and (iii) evacuation to/on the ground. We clarify that most problems emerge from the accumulation of evacuees and the accumulation sequencing. We hence propose a design method and crowd management policy that avoid generation of a sequence of accumulations and while guiding on where accumulations should be generated.

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