Interactions between actors involved in planning and design decision processes Prof.dr.ir. B. de Vries

Actor roles Actors = Researcher + City Actors = Pedestrian + City Actors = Designer + City

Interactions between Researcher and City B. de Vries A. Tan

Research Project To assess the reliability and validity of interactive computer experiments, based on virtual reality systems, in the context of measuring activity- scheduling behavior Observed travel patterns are the result of underlying activity scheduling decision processes

….in other words Measure how accurate individuals are able to recall and retrieve every day memories, and in particular, data about the travel behavior In the new media: virtual reality

Research Design Compare the existing methods of data collection (diaries / questionnaires) against a benchmark (reality) Compare the new methods of data collection (virtual reality experiments) against a benchmark (reality) Compare accuracy levels between the above methods

The Process - 1 The process consists of three parts. The first part entails recording “reality” benchmark the Investigator “observes a Respondent carry out his/her activities at a distance without detection” The second part requires the same Respondent to fill out a Questionnaire,

The Process - 2 The third part involves travel in a virtual environment that mimics the Schedule of the Subject of the day and period that s/he was observed

Tasks in Virtual Travel A Respondent will be requested to recall and retrieve information about the schedule that was carried out during the period previously recorded by the Investigator The subject will be requested to provide information about the nature of each activity and in the sequence as carried out.

Choice of VR Technology Text based worlds 3D Model Panorama’s

Making of the Stereo Panorama’s Rotating double cameras fitted with fisheye lens Retouching Stitching Stereo correction

Data Collection

Sampled Groups Type IType II (a) “Followed” (Benchmark) (b) Questionnaire (c) Virtual Travel (d) “Followed” (Benchmark) (e) Virtual Travel (f) Questionnaire Comparison 1 = (a) + (b) 2 = (a) + (c) 3 = (a) + (b) + (c) Comparison 4 = (d) + (e) 5 = (d) + (f) 6 = (d) + (e) + (f)

Data Analysis Ongoing Some preliminary observations of PAPI versus Observed >50% of respondents report less number of activities than observed (benchmark) 2% report conduct of activities different from that of observed 50% of activity duration are over reported 50% of travel time is under reported

Interactions between Pedestrian and City B. de Vries J. Dijkstra

Architects and urban planners are often faced with the problem to assess how their design or planning decisions will affect the behavior of individuals. One way of addressing this problem is the use of models simulating the navigation of users in buildings and urban environments. A Multi-Agent System based on Cellular Automata

Develop a model how pedestrian moves in a built and/or urban environment. Pedestrians are represented by agents (actors). The cellular automata model is used to simulate their behavior across the network. A simulation model would allow the designer to assess how design decisions influence pedestrian activity/movement and hence performance indicators. Multi agent technology based on cellular automata can be used to develop a model how actors move around in a 2D or 3D environment. The 3D environment is a virtual reality based environment design.

Important issues Actors navigate in a virtual built/urban environment, each with their own behavior, beliefs and intentions They perceive their environment and show some behavior according certain rules Practical experience from visits in the past Activity agenda The simulation model, as a decision support tool could be very useful to apply possible modifications to the design concept - AMANDA

The network is the three-dimensional cellular automata model representation of a state at a certain time. v = 2 cells /  t

Agent Model

User Agent Define an user-agent as: U =, where: R is finite set of role identifiers: {actor, subject} S represents the scenario each user-agent i possesses and includes Personal characteristics Agenda Behavioral principles Cognitive map Time budget

Point of Departure Design of a simulation experiment of pedestrian movement Considering a (T-junction) walkway where pedestrians will be randomly created at one of the entrances.

network grid and decision points

Movement rules

For example: We will get more insight into the influence that store layouts have on consumer circulation patterns and shopping behavior in retail environments.

Interactions between Designer and City B. de Vries V. Tabak

Mass Modeling on the Urban Scale Relevance The system DDDoolz VISTA

Traditional: Sketch + Scale Model Strengths Quick No restrictions Simple Abstract Weaknesses Inaccurate Error prone Chaotic Redundancy

Computers in the early design stage Strength: Visualisation and Communication Weakness: Too accurate and too complex

Programme Requirements: Living – Labour Open spaces Houses: approx. 250 Living (12x7x3) Labour (6x7x3) Building blocks Urban plan3D model

Scale

DDDoolz

Basic Principle Drag and Copy

Edge Drag Extrude Intrude

VISTA

Block  Block Basic shape with a specific function. Objects Stroke  Stroke Repersentation of greens, roads, etc. Group  Group Collection of objects  Roof shapes Shapes on top of blocks Roof shape

Manipulations  Move Select object and transfer.  Rotate Select object and rotate around one axis  Stretch Select object and extend in one direction.  Delete Click on waste bastket of selected object.

Object handles  Three rotation axes.  Two grips per axis.  One waste basket. X

Experiences Almost as intuitive as paper and pencil Increased control over planning requirements

Workshop

Agenda Introduction Discussion Instruction Assignment Discussion and Conclusion

Position 1.Are Pen and Paper unbeatable ? 2.What makes a creative tool ?

Discussion

Instruction DDDoolz VisTa

Assignment Choose one design tool Determine design task Determine performances Design Tool Execute task With traditional means (3/4 hour) With computer tool (3/4 hour) Draw conclusions on performances

Discussion and Conclusion