Bridging the gap between visual exploration and agent-based pedestrian simulation in a virtual environment

Abstract

We present a system to evaluate and improve visual guidance systems and signage for pedestrians inside large buildings. Given a 3D model of an actual building we perform agent-based simulations mimicking the decision making process and navigation patterns of pedestrians trying to find their way to predefined locations. Our main contribution is to enable agents to base their decisions on realistic threedimensional visibility and occlusion cues computed from the actual building geometry with added semantic annotations (e.g. meaning of signs, or purpose of inventory), as well as an interactive visualization of simulated movement trajectories and accompanying visibility data tied to the underlying 3D model. This enables users of the system to quickly pinpoint and solve problems within the simulation by watching, exploring and understanding emergent behavior inside the building. This insight gained from introspection can in turn inform planning and thus improve the effectiveness of guidance systems.

Simulation-Based Evaluation of Ease of Wayfinding Using Digital Human and As-Is Environment Models

“…Currently, ease of wayfinding is evaluated using four approaches: real field testing [10], virtual field testing [11,12], CAD model analysis [13], and wayfinding simulation [14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. In real field tests [10], a certain number of human subjects are asked to perform experimental wayfinding tasks in a real environment.…”

“…However, this approach cannot evaluate ease of wayfinding in terms of signage visibility, legibility, and noticeability because three-dimensional (3D) interactions between individuals and signage are not considered. Recently, a variety of wayfinding simulations has been proposed [14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. Such simulation-based approaches have made it possible to evaluate the ease of wayfinding by simulating the wayfinding of the pedestrian model.…”

“…In addition, these simulations involve only simplified as-planned environment models that do not model the detailed environmental geometry, including obstacles on the walkway, and realistic environmental textures. For reliable evaluation, an environment model must be created to reflect the as-is situation of the environment because detailed 3D geometry and realistic textures affect the wayfinding of individuals [17,21].…”

“…Brunnhuber et al [17] and Becker-Asano et al [18] proposed schemes for wayfinding simulation using directional and identification signage in a 3D as-planned environment model. In these simulations, the next walking direction of the pedestrian models was determined autonomously based on the navigation information on the perceived signage.…”

“…Furthermore, these simulations [16][17][18][19][20] treated only one or two types of signage-Directional and/or identification. Thus, these simulations cannot be applied to actual signage systems including all signage types in Table 1.…”