Pedestrian Simulation Challenges: Modeling Techniques and Emerging Positioning Technologies for ITS Applications

Pedestrians comprise a major component of the transport system and their incorporation in the design of future cities is of vital importance. The development of C-ITS systems requires real-time information concerned with the accurate position and kinematics of pedestrians. Therefore, it necessitates the existence of reliable pedestrian simulation models. The objective of this study is the exploration of the existing tools considering modeling techniques and data collection technologies for pedestrian simulation under normal conditions and their interrelations within the framework of pedestrian simulation towards the design and implementation of future simulation approaches. To achieve this, an overview of the main microscopic modeling techniques and data collection methods i.e., emerging positioning technologies is presented, with their potentials and limitations being demonstrated through the existing state-of-the-art. Pedestrian simulation is then approached employing two core elements: conceptual and operational factors. The challenges that these factors entail considering modeling techniques and positioning technologies are elaborated. Last, simulation performance is discussed and future prospects relevant to research needs considering both pedestrian modeling techniques and emerging positioning technologies are proposed.