Pedestrian Simulation Modeling for World Expo 2010 Shanghai

It is expected that World Expo 2010 Shanghai will attract as many as 600,000 spectators in a normal peak day. The complexity of pedestrian circulations after the Expo's opening will be a challenge to the Expo's efficient operations. A plat in the Expo site was selected for a microscopic pedestrian simulation modeling study, consisting of multiple pavilions with high attractiveness, a variety of spectator service facilities, such as shopping centers, restaurants, and restrooms, and different kinds of pedestrian facilities. The Legion computer simulation package was used for the study. Simulation parameters were calibrated based on statistical analyses on relevant field data sets. Characteristics of Expo spectators' touring actions were presented. Through a comparative analysis on circulations of the Expo spectators and those of game spectators in a stadium and passengers in a metro station, a modeling approach was proposed for the Expo spectators, which was different from the approach to modeling circulations of the game spectators and metro passengers. Simulation results were analyzed and interpreted from the perspective of pedestrian planning and operations for the use of relevant authorities. The simulation study and results helped to prompt measures to improve the study site's planning, engineering design, and operations from the pedestrian circulation perspective. The methodology can be applied to other desired areas of the Expo site with propagation of the preparation for the major event.