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.  

How Wageningen University & Research Integrates Simulation Software in Education

How Wageningen University & Research Integrates Simulation Software in Education Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting Rene Haijema, Associate Professor at Wageningen University
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Sales Manager – Logistical Software

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EES implementation runs smoothly due to simulation software of InControl

EES implementation runs smoothly due to simulation software of InControl

Only a year to go and a new control system must be implemented at all external border locations in Europe. The EES will be mandatory from the  2022. EES stands for European Entry / Exit System and this system regulates the digital registration of all non-European passenger traffic. The stamps in passports will be part of the past and in addition to personal data, the registration and control of fingerprints and facial recognition will also be obligated.

The European member states are responsible themselves for the organization and registration of EES at their own external borders. Collaboration and innovation are  key words for a successful and, above all, smooth/seamless border control. It is and it will remain absolutely necessary to control border capacity both from a passenger and (FedPol) staff perspective. Border locations most of the time have to be (re)designed. This is important in order to guarantee the safety and security of the passengers and residents of the host country against pandemics, persons with terrorist motives or other calamities.

Predict passenger flows


InControl is an indispensable partner for predicting crowds at border areas: airports, seaports, cruise terminals and train stations. With the simulation models of InControl, passenger flows can be made transparent and therefore better monitored and enforced. Thanks to the software it is possible to create analysis, impact- and what-if scenarios, 2D and 3D models and relevant instructions for staff and passengers. With these forecasts safe and smooth/seamless passage of passengers is ensured.

Gain insights with predictive analysis of InControl


Every border location is different and the intensity of use of those locations differs per season, per week, per day and even per moment. During the holidays it is busier at the (air)ports and train stations. And as a widebody aircraft fly in from outside of Europe, there will be a peak moment that should be anticipated and addressed. By making this transparent in advance with simulation models, a lot of very important issues can be taken into account. For example the layout and size of the border area, the installation of counters, (mobile) kiosks and hiring of adequate and sufficient (FedPol) staff. With simulated models and scenarios you can prepare and fulfil a smooth border operation. In short, be prepared very specifically for the purchase of hardware, software and staffing.

The role of simulation software is extremely useful for capacity planning by predicting and limiting waiting times, for making cost estimates, and above all ensuring the safety of passengers and residents of Europe. We will support you to meet EES-ruling in an efficient and effective manner.

Would you like to know what InControl can do for you and your organization? Please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to tell you about our experiences and expertise.

Student using Enterprise Dynamics® Software successfully at Royal Schiphol Group

Student using Enterprise Dynamics Software successfully at Royal Schiphol Group

During my graduation project of the master Operations Management and Logistics at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) I conducted a research project at the Royal Schiphol Group. In my research I worked with the software of InControl Enterprise Dynamics to improve the trucks’ lead time designated for the air cargo handling. This software was preferred since Royal Schiphol Group already collaborated with InControl before. Besides, the software is suitable for the proposed model since it is able to develop discrete-event simulations, shows the flow of the trucks, and has the possibilities to analyze and visualize the model in 2D and 3D perspectives. Moreover, the TU/e provided a user license to the students for this software.

In more detail, my research investigated the flow of trucks arriving at five airport locations to pick up or deliver goods. Specifically, their waiting times at each location were evaluated for the current situation and how the waiting times would change with the adoption of a new concept. The new concept was called Drop and Collect and allows trucks to park their trailers at a truck parking until their goods need to be further processed. This concept ensures more control of the trucks’ flow and a just-in-time handling of goods when they are needed for the next stage of transport (e.g. flying to the next destination). Since a truck parking is added to the current situation, the trucks’ waiting times will change. Enterprise Dynamics was able to measure the change in time well. The design of my models consisted of three steps. Thereafter, the results were analyzed and evaluated.

First, I developed a simulation model of the current situation in the software. Before I started this research I had never worked with Enterprise Dynamics. However, a lot of information could be extracted from the InControl community where a lot of students had asked questions that were similar to my questions. Besides, tutorials and videos were available with basic models to compare and receive information. And what I really liked about InControl is that they were very accessible to ask questions.

Second, I developed additional models for five different scenarios of the Drop and Collect concept in Enterprise Dynamics. These scenarios were more complex than the current situation. Additional simulation objects were necessary to model these scenarios. Also changes in the behavior of the model was necessary. The new scenarios required a lot of capacity and processing constraints. These could be easily implemented using the Enterprise Dynamics Script language 4DScript.

Third, I run the models using the real data sets. During the development phase of the models I worked with small self-conceived data sets to build accurate models. After the models are validated and verified real data sets were used. Therefore, the corresponding trucks’ waiting times could be analyzed by running the models. The software was really helpful by analyzing and quantifying the trucks’ flows.

Last, the results of the simulation were evaluated and conclusions about the adoption of the Drop and Collect concept were drawn.

Overall, the software of InControl gave a good representation of the trucks’ flow at the airport and show where bottlenecks occur. The possibility to show the movements in 3D are very valuable for the understanding of the system and possible errors could be found more easily.

Are you interested in a thesis project about modeling with Enterprise Dynamics? The Enterprise Dynamics Pro license is an affordable license for students working on their bachelor’s or master’s thesis. Please find more information here or contact the research education team via email. 

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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.

Future Multimodal Hub Schiphol modelled with InControl Software

Future Multimodal Hub Schiphol modelled with InControl Software

The Multimodal Hub of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the largest public transport hubs in Europe and The Netherlands. Under normal (pre-COVID 19) circumstances the Schiphol public transport hub sees an average of 109,000 travelers per day. Every hour, 140 public transport buses passing through the center of Schiphol. These and other modalities all arrive, depart and transfer in and around Schiphol Plaza.

In the near feature an increasing number of people (up to 120,000) travelling through the Schiphol public transport hub is expected. In line with these numbers the current Multimodal Hub Schiphol (MHS) will be redesigned in order to create sufficient capacity to handle this increase.

InControl was requested by Schiphol to take a seat in the project organization as the passenger flow specialist. Over the course of 14 months, our team of experienced simulation engineers will assist Schiphol and the other project team members by simulating the complete new infrastructure of the new Multimodal Hub Schiphol. This will contribute to the vision of Royal Schiphol Group to create the world’s most sustainable, and high quality airport.

Pedestrian Dynamics®, InControl’s crowd simulation modelling software, is globally implemented to analyze passengers flows on airports and other public transport hubs.

Source Schiphol Group

Student Simulation Project in Public Transportation Crowd simulations at railway station Hoofddorp, The Netherlands

Student Simulation Project in Public Transportation Crowd simulations at railway station Hoofddorp, The Netherlands

Written by Jurian Fijen – Amsterdam University of Applied Science – Built Environment, Mobility

During my last year at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Bachelor of Built Environment (Mobility), I used the software  Pedestrian Dynamics® of InControl for my thesis about crowd simulations at railway station Hoofddorp, the Netherlands.

I did my research in a graduation studio within my study Built Environment, which was supervised by two teachers and the Haarlemmermeer council. Hoofddorp is the main town of the Haarlemmermeer municipality. My research goal was to find out whether Hoofddorp railway station is capable of handling all pedestrian flows in the coming years. Expectations are the station will become busier. Are adjustments needed to the station? The expected increase is partly caused by the North-South metro line which is planned to be extended from Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport and Hoofddorp. Because of this extension, pedestrian flows at the station will change and become busier. The big question is whether the bottlenecks (stair cases, platforms and concourses) at the station will be sufficient to handle an increasing number of travelers.

For my thesis I first examined the concept of crowd simulations and looked at how this could be used at railway stations. To find out whether Hoofddorp station can handle the increased demand, I looked at two things: which data and other information do I need to model pedestrian flows and how can I find out when capacity is reached?

I used the crowd simulation software Pedestrian Dynamics® of InControl to model and examine pedestrian flows. My supervisors from the university provided a Pedestrian Dynamics® Student Pro license for my thesis project.  I used the program’s tutorials and examples to master the software, after which I started my own case. By loading an AutoCAD map of the station into Pedestrian Dynamics® the infrastructure was well implemented. Adding all data I gathered from the public transport time table, the available public transport equipment, pedestrians and accompanying numbers and routes, I was able to model the pedestrian flows into the station’s infrastructure

3D Simulation Model of Hoofddorp trainstation

In the model using capacity requirements one can find out bottlenecks’ capacity. The functionality offered by Pedestrian Dynamics® allows you to examine the station using frequency maps, density maps and flow counters which allow you to find the possible problems at the stations. This all can be clearly presented in a graph visualizing results over time. This program really helped to show me what a good pedestrian capacity study for Hoofddorp station could look like.

2D Simulation Model of Hoofddorp trainstation

My final assignment made me look differently at the built environment and public transport. When it comes to capacity problems in public transport, I mainly thought of too many passengers on the trains or too little space for even more trains on the track. It shows that stations will also have to be expanded in future, because it is becoming increasingly busy and there is too little room for passenger flows. I thought it was interesting to be able to demonstrate this in my thesis.

Personally, I think it can be interesting for many courses, such as Built Environment, Civil Engineering, Traffic Engineering, Urban Planning and Architecture, to include crowd simulations in the curriculum. It allows people to view outdoor spaces and buildings, such as stations, stadiums and shopping streets in a completely different way. Finally, we have seen recently how difficult it is to come up with good solutions for environments where the infrastructure is too narrow for too large groups of people.

I am happy that I used Pedestrian Dynamics® for my assignment. It is a great program for modelling pedestrian flows in stations. The manual, the contact with the people at InControl, the tutorial and sample models have all ensured that Pedestrian Dynamics® was a great program for me to work with. I would like to keep on using the program to further improve my skills and expand my knowledge about pedestrian flows.

There are many interesting research topics in the area of crowd simulation. At the moment, many organizations struggle with capacity issues and social distancing measures. Are you interested in a thesis project about crowd modelling with Pedestrian Dynamics? Pedestrian Dynamics Student Pro license is an affordable license for students working on their bachelor or master thesis.

Find more information here or contact our research and education team at education@www.incontrolsim.com