How Simulation contributes to Liveable, Safe, and Sustainable cities

How simulation contributes to Livable, Safe, and Sustainable cities

Today about 50% of the world’s population lives in urban areas. Expected is, that by 2050 this number will increase to about 68%. Not only the numbers are increasing, but also the needs are getting more diverse. Urban environments are exciting places to live, work and unwind. But how do we combine all of these aspects in a city? These Metropolitan Areas are not only growing fast but also changing continuously. We have to act faster and more adequate to trends and specific circumstances; like ‘greener’ ways of mobility or – relevant as it is still today – meet physical distancing ruling. All the aforementioned affairs come together in the overall question: how do we facilitate the City of the Future? 

Together with its business partners, Accenture Singapore has created its vision for the Future of Cities. These Metropolitan Areas should not only be the economic powerhouses of our world but also livable, safe, and sustainable locations that are by design inclusive to each stakeholder. Accenture Singapore brings together the relevant expertise and the best of class technology in their recently launched Future of Cities Innovation Hub; focusing on Sustainability, Mobility, and Safety & Security. We, InControl, are both happy and proud to announce that our simulation software is contributing to this Singapore Innovation Hub. In this manner, we are not only committed to the jointly created vision of the Future of Cities but strengthen our company mission statement: ‘’To deliver simulation software for a safe and sustainable planet.’’

But… how exactly is simulation contributing to future cities? To design cities’ infrastructures optimally, a thorough understanding of logistical flows is essential. Not only the logistical flow of pedestrians but also related to goods, rolling stock, energy, and even waste. The simulation of these processes and specific dynamics and scenarios provide tremendous information which in turn gives answers to complex, logistical issues. Think of capacity management, urban planning, and safety & security. Not only can simulation be part of the design phase of urban infrastructures, but it also plays a major role in real-time control and planning of operations. Possible congested areas or other (potential) issues related to public safety and security can be foreseen in an early stage, enabling authorities to act adequately and fast.

For simulating these scenarios, Metropolitan areas and City Authorities are visualizing the infrastructure in a so-called ‘digital twin’. However, to make this digital representation as realistic as possible enormous amounts of data are needed. A powerful software platform is key to process all this data of pedestrians, bikes and vehicular (public) traffic flows. InControl’s simulation software platform Enterprise Dynamics® (including Pedestrian Dynamics®) enables authorities to gather, enrich and process data from several sources like mobile devices, road and parking systems, and even weather stations! A digital twin facilitates the optimization of all flows in a city or any other infrastructure, providing information, insights and allowing quantifiable comparison of scenarios. By having this better understanding of pedestrian and other (public) transportation flows in congested areas during both regular and irregular days. The impact of bottlenecks, queues, and unsafe settings during e.g. city (re)development, road construction activities, or sports and other events, can be predicted and limited in an early stage and – even better – be avoided!           

Besides providing an overview of the distinct scenarios for a certain area, the simulation model also provides so-called ‘heat maps’. These maps provide information about the level of services provided in a certain area where not only the safety of pedestrians can be analyzed but also their level of comfort. Via both the simulation scenarios and heat maps, concretely and easily can be determined whether KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are met.

With Simulation Software, InControl is not only contributing to the realization of City and Metropolitan Authorities’ goals but also providing a pleasant, safe, and secure setting for citizens, workers, and visitors. All around the world, for more than 30 years! Would you like to be fully in control of your urban infrastructure? Please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to tell you more about our experiences and expertise. 

For more information, please contact:

Read more about Accenture’s Innovation Hub in this article.

Simulation adds value to Education

Simulation adds value to Education

Inspiring online seminar for our Educational User Community

On April 29th a group of enthusiastic teachers from several Universities working and teaching with Enterprise Dynamics® attended our online seminar Simulation & Education. InControl received loads of positive reactions launching the simulation software Enterprise Dynamics version 10.4. Particular new features and the user-friendliness were mentioned.  

In the discussion about online teaching, the teachers expressed great appreciation of the free-of-charge Enterprise Dynamics Student Starter extended edition. InControl made this version available since universities and Applied Sciences Institutes closed their facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.    

A part of the new software release and the extended Student Starter edition, the following two subjects were presented: 

The first presenter was Mr. Koos van Overdijk from Avans University of Applied Sciences. He explained how they are using the Enterprise Dynamics program for many years. More than 150 students per year studying Industrial Engineering and Management uses InControl’s software program during Discrete Simulation courses. Where students have to design a soft drink factory in Enterprise Dynamics with all its features as part of a group project. Mr. Koos van Overdijk, has provided this inspiring course for many years and presented the ins and outs of this case and the way he shared his knowledge during the seminar.  

Thereafter, Mr. Han Mackor of Royal Schiphol Group and Mr. Harry Bunnik of InControl explained how a Digital Twin is created. What are the starting points and what steps do you need to take before you are even ready to run Digital Twin? To give insight into this process we elaborated on our approach to the baggage handling system of Airport Amsterdam Schiphol. How does Schiphol translate a suggestion to (re)design or improve a system or process into a realistic implementation using the advantages of simulation software? 

Are you interested in teaching with Enterprise Dynamics classroom?  

Become part of our active Educational User Community and discuss or share your knowledge and experiences with other lecturers. 

Just send an email or check our website.  

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InControl provides Bank of America Stadium simulation for walk-in vaccination project

InControl provides Bank of America Stadium simulation for walk-in vaccination project

The Bank of America stadium, Charlotte, NC, requested InControl to simulate the stadium to accommodate a relevant and actual purpose: walk-in vaccination center. The goal of the simulation is to ensure a more efficient COVID-19 vaccination process for right numbers of safe throughput, social distancing for queue lines that maximize safety and ensure more access.

By using simulation modeling you can reduce the frustration and confusion of those receiving vaccinations through predictive analytics. With these simulations the walk-through process is optimized taking process times, queues, and physical space for movement into account. The simulations include physical distancing to ensure a safe environment in which as many people as possible are vaccinated. We ran various scenarios to reduce the check in time and increased the number of check-in desks.

Figure 1: Overview meeting the physical distancing restrictions for fluid vaccination.

InControl has done previous simulations for the Bank of America stadium to investigate their options for a controlled opening of the stadium while minimizing health risks by taking physical distancing, pedestrian flows and the capacity into account.

With our own developed crowd simulation software Pedestrian Dynamics ® we have modeled the Bank of America stadium’s infrastructure and surrounding streets. We also add crowd behavior for efficiency of movement, evacuation and sheltering-in-place to the model. The simulation tool we have delivered is developed in such a way that trained event staff can update the model for specific events. This tool allows you to intelligently know the crowd management answers before you implement your live plan. InControl has conducted COVID-19 vaccination simulation models for clients around the world.

Figure 2: Check-in desks, while maintaining social distancing

Pedestrian Dynamics® is a leading crowd simulation tool that has been used for more than a decade to model large crowds in all types of infrastructure. Pedestrian Dynamics® helped answer questions about capacity, staff planning and training, keeping in mind the safety and comfort related to crowded places.

Cities and municipalities are struggling with organizational and financial hurdles due to the Corona crisis. InControl would like to get involved and support communities by not charging reduced the usual daily rates for simulation engineers for this type of projects.

If you need support with the test streets and / or vaccination routes, check capacity with the Pedestrian Dynamics® simulation software and / or model according to COVID-19 measures and guidelines including physical distancing in any environment, please do not hesitate to contact us.

InControl supports communities with corona test track simulation

InControl supports communities with corona test track simulation

During the Covid-19 pandemic, communities and municipalities in particular have to deal with many challenges. The preparation and planning of tests, training and vaccination locations are top of mind. Besides drive-in locations such as event centers, stadiums and public buildings have to be properly arranged, facilitated and people trained. 

Figure 1: Example of drive-in test facility

A municipality in Austria asked InControl to support the organization of test tracks by delivering data, plans and insights. In this case the planned tests and training staff facility is a combined elementary and middle school.

Simulation and visualization can support and improve decision-making processes; they can support and visualize the design and optimize key processes, costs and provide feedback during every stage. InControl contributes to the security issues and procedures as well. 

Test tracks for the upcoming Covid-19 swab tests has to be set up in a municipality in Austria and these should be evaluated and validated in advance. The thorough preparation is contributing to the test and training activities but forms a good set up for the vaccination activities as well. There are rooms available for this purpose at both schools, primarily organized on the ground floor. In this case a total of 6 test tracks are designed, planned and evaluated.

Figure 2: Middle and elementary school – test tracks 1 to 6

A test track includes: the outside waiting area, the registration and the test area. The flow of people should not cross, so separate entrances and exits and a marked route (one-way system) are specified in order to minimize personal contacts.

Figure 3: Example for test track 1 in detail

Compliance with the general distance rules and local protocols are taken into consideration in the entire test area and is also part of the simulation model and scenarios. In Austria, a personal indoor distance of 2 meters is applicable.

Information on the simulation with Pedestrian Dynamics® was made available to InControl by the municipality, based on both scientific and empirical values. So in this case the assumption was that 1000 people per day (8 hours) has to be tested. Another assumption is that no values for the arrival distribution has to be taken into consideration. The documents required for registration will be announced in the waiting area and can be verified too. The registration should take place in 2 till 5 minutes and in the test area 3 minutes are accepted at each station.

To analyze the routes, simulation runs were carried out in order to check the capacities and distance regulations. The assumption described above was refuted on the basis of the simulation results; only 60% of the people can be tested in 8 hours. The capacity check has shown in this case that there is a lack of time and staff. In addition to the simulation experiments, necessary changes in the process were discussed directly with the community and health care representatives and adopted in the test planning, routing, staff training and real time execution.

Pedestrian Dynamics® is a leading crowd simulation tool that has been used for more than a decade to model large crowds in all types of infrastructure. Pedestrian Dynamics® helped answer questions about capacity, keeping in mind the safety and comfort related to crowded places.

Cities and municipalities are struggling with organizational and financial hurdles due to the Corona crisis. InControl would like to get involved and support communities by not charging the usual daily rates for simulation engineers for this type of projects.

If you need support with the test streets and / or vaccination routes, check capacity with the Pedestrian Dynamics® simulation software and / or model according to COVID-19 measures and guidelines including physical distancing in any environment, please do not hesitate to contact us.

InControl’s crowd simulation supporting Transportation industry

InControl’s crowd simulation supporting Transportation industry

The transportation industry is facing a dramatic drop in passenger activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to ensure safe travelling for passengers and complying with physical distancing requirements InControl’s crowd simulation software Pedestrian Dynamics® has been used.  InControl simulation software predicts pedestrian flows and human behavior in a detailed way with high accuracy and processing large number of travelers.

Our software in 2D and 3D visualization models enabled business partner CGI and their end customers to get insights in several key questions, if and how to:

  • meet health legislation and protocols;
  • optimize schedules and capacity;
  • support management decisions and
  • organize the content of staff training.

Business partner CGI and InControl run several scenarios and delivered reports including What-If and Impact-scenarios and 2D and 3D visualizations.

Read the article of our business partner via this link.

How simulation contributes to reopen sport facilities

How simulation contributes to reopen sport facilities


Sport venues and other leisure infrastructures are closed during a long period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, sport facilities e.g. stadiums are planning to reopen. Worldwide national football (soccer) organizations are currently formulating protocols to facilitate -partly- filled stadiums. 

Aspects which has to be addressed are besides meeting the overtime changing physical distancing rules and protocols (safety) rerouting the flows (guidance), the to be expected capacity (utilization), minimal staff required (cost control), specific instructions for signing for both fans and staff (communication), and last but not least the experience of fans. Leading football (soccer) associations e.g. UEFA are requested to discuss innovative ideas and concrete models in order to facilitate the return of spectators in the football stadiums.

KNVB (the Dutch football association) has been one of the first football institutions to publish its protocol for next football season 20/21. Other European football associations e.g. La Liga have published draft protocols recently and final versions are on their way. UEFA and a set of partners have created a consortium to develop innovative ideas including field-tests in order to plan, facilitate and evaluate the reopening of European stadiums for fans.

The main measures described in those protocols to guarantee a safe event are:

  1. Registered ingress timeslots: fans will be asked to access the stadium at specific time slots accordingly their seat location. The main goal of this measure is to minimize queueing during the entry processes such as security and ticket check.
  2. Extra ingress and egress processes: several new processes might be applicable before the spectator is entering the stadium. Health questionnaires and several temperature scans in different security perimeters might be compulsory.
  3. Operational crowd measures: several crowd measure will need to be implemented to avoid and reduce the physical contact between fans. An example of these measures are unidirectional corridors, reduced usage of elevators and escalators or pre-booking of food and beverage by mobile apps.
  4. Partial usage of stands: stands might be filled partially guaranteeing sufficient space between spectators of different households. This also implies several challenging dynamic crowd measures during ingress and egress to fill or empty stands dynamically per stand sector.
  5. New mobility scheme: the mobility (how fans get to the stadium) will change. Spectators will prefer modes of transport with low risk of virus transmission. Travelling by private cars and by feet will be the preferred transportation modus for most fans, while the number of fans use traditional mode of transport, travelling to stadiums by e.g. metro, train or bus will be substantially low for a longer period of time. Stadium operators will be asked to re-assess mobility plans to ensure that the surroundings of the stadium can deal with the new mobility scheme.

Crowd Simulation to ensure safety and efficiency
Sport stadiums around the world are dealing with the same challenges and questions:

  • How should the new ingress and egress processes layout look like?
  • How many staff do I need?
  • How much flow time and queuing can I expect?
  • How many timeslots do I need during ingress?
  • Which operational measures do I need?
  • How much I utilize my stands given the COVID-19 regulations, protocols and (in)possibilities of my stadium?
  • How can I optimize my mobility planning?
  • How can I get approval of my management and (local) authorities to reopen my stadium in a safe way?

INCONTROL’s crowd modelling software, Pedestrian Dynamics®, allows you to build a Digital Twin of your stadium and simulate all kind of operational measures (‘what if’ and impact scenarios) to find the most optimal scenario for both safety and economic profit. Pedestrian Dynamics® incorporates advanced algorithms in order to simulate pedestrians’ behaviors given the physical distance rules. Simulation allows end users, management and other stakeholders to test and validate their plans on aspects e.g. safety, utilization, guidance, cost control and communication. Moreover, thanks to its 2D and 3D visualization, all stakeholders will get insights of the impact, and how all new measures will look like. At the same time, Pedestrian Dynamics® can be also used for training, and instruction purposes of stadium staff.

The above images are examples of a simulation in a major stadium in United States focusing on ingress process (including security, health and hygiene checks). The pictures show unidirectional corridors at the stadium concourse as well.

The complexity and dynamics of these most of the time simultaneously processes are compared to pre-COVID-19 settings extremely increased. More than ever crowd simulation by INCONTROL’s Pedestrian Dynamics® is implemented to prove to stadium management and (local) authorities that ruling and protocols can be implemented accordingly. Pedestrian Dynamics® provides insights to ensure safe, efficient and pleasant experiences for your stadium visitors!

Interested? Contact our Crowd Simulation Team at: siminfo@www.incontrolsim.com