An evacuation simulator for pedestrian dynamics based on the Social Force Model

TL;DR

The paper addresses safe egress in enclosed spaces and the need for accessible, validated simulation tools to study pedestrian dynamics. It presents SiCoBioNa, an open-source Python-based evacuation simulator grounded on the Social Force Model, with a GUI for configuring pedestrians, geometry, and outputs. It implements the SFM equations $\dot{\mathbf{x}}_i= \mathbf{v}_i$ and $m_i \dot{\mathbf{v}}_i= \mathbf{f}_i^0 + \sum_j \mathbf{f}_{ij} + \sum_W \mathbf{f}_{iW}$, where $\mathbf{f}_i^0 = m_i \frac{v_i^0 \mathbf{e}_i^0 - \mathbf{v}_i}{\tau_i}$, and uses typical parameters $A_i=2\times 10^3$ N, $B_i=0.08$ m, $k=1.2\times 10^5$ kg s$^{-2}$, $\kappa=2.4\times 10^5$ kg m$^{-1}$ s$^{-1}$, and $\tau=0.5$ s to simulate interactions and contact forces. The tool enables analysis of evacuation performance through numerical time-series and visuals, with a modular design that supports adding alternative interaction mechanisms and geometries for planning and safety assessments.

Abstract

The evacuation of pedestrians from enclosed spaces represents a key problem in safety engineering and infrastructure design. Analyzing the collective dynamics that emerge during evacuation processes requires simulation tools capable of capturing individual interactions and spatial constraints realistically. In this work, we present \textit{SiCoBioNa}, an open-source evacuation simulator based on the Social Force Model (SFM). The software provides an intuitive graphical interface that allows users to configure pedestrian properties, spatial geometries, and initial conditions without requiring prior expertise in numerical modeling techniques. The SFM framework enables the representation of goal-oriented motion, interpersonal interactions, and interactions with fixed obstacles. The simulator generates both quantitative data and visual outputs, facilitating the analysis of evacuation dynamics and the evaluation of different spatial configurations. Due to its modular and extensible design, \textit{SiCoBioNa} serves as a reproducible research tool for studies on pedestrian dynamics providing practical support for evacuation planning.

Figures (5)

• Figure 1: Flowchart of the evacuation simulation software. The diagram illustrates the structured interaction between configuration modules, preview, validation, execution, and automatic generation of output files, preserving the original layout while avoiding graphical overlaps.
• Figure 2: Main menu of the SiCoBioNa simulator.
• Figure 3: Set of simulator screen interfaces for configuring evacuation.
• Figure 4: (a) Preview window showing the initial conditions of the evacuation scenario, including room layout and pedestrian distribution. (b) Screenshot of the simulation video, where circle sizes are consistent with pedestrian dimensions.
• Figure 5: Example of a simulation output data file generated using the Social Force Model.