OLYMPIC 2012

Olympic 2012

1 Introduction

The 2012 Olympic Games holding in London has drawn worldwide attentions. During the games, a large number of guests would visit the Olympic sites and venues. Thus, pedestrian gathering and evacuation planning is a significant issue for Olympic traffic services. To hold a 'distinguished and high level' Olympic Games in London, it is essential to make sure of a safe, expedite, and effective environment for the high crowd density of spectators, which required well-designed facilities and consummated traffic management measures to accommodate crowded spectators in special events. (Shi, 2007, 23-33)

As a tool of pedestrian analysis method, traffic simulation technology has been broadly applied in transportation facilities' designing, planning, and traffic assessment.

Meanwhile, using this kind of advanced computer science on realistic work is also required for the theory of practice of high-tech in the Olympic Games. The traffic simulation technology has become an ideal method to solve practical issues based on pedestrian behavior test and the characteristics of Olympic venues which have no real data of pedestrians in the place under constructing. Therefore, this paper analyzes the ability of pedestrian facilities and optimizes operational planning for the National Stadium by the traffic simulation method.

Effective pedestrian organization plan and management is necessary for the crowded spectators in the complex venue and environment in special event. 2012 London Olympic Games is a real big challenge to the staff in responsible for pedestrian management and related planning tasks. This paper introduces a simulation method of application on pedestrian facilities and management during the London Olympic Games. According to the pedestrian characters in the Olympics, actual data are colleted for parameter calibration, and then simulation approach is introduced. The methodology and its application were illustrated through a case study on the National Stadium-the main stadium of the London Olympic Games. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the pedestrian facilities and pedestrian management methods, different pedestrian egress plans were proposed and the optimal plan was identified through the simulation study. The actual pedestrian traffic operations during the Olympic Games proved the usefulness and effectiveness of the proposed methodology and egress plan. (Shi, 2007, 23-33)

2 Pedestrian simulation method in Olympic Games

Pedestrian traffic planning and operation is a comprehensive system in special events. Particularly in such Olympic Games, pedestrian's safety, convenience, and comfort are crucial elements in pedestrian organizing and services system. The key issue of this paper is how to apply simulation method into pedestrian operation and planning.

However, the characters and behavior of pedestrians in special events and parameters determination for simulation are basic issues and essential parts of simulation assistant design before the application.

2.1 Characters of pedestrian traffic

Walking is a basic traffic mode for pedestrians, and the walker has his or her own traffic characters of free motion, high accessibility, taking the shortest path and keeping a continuous speed. The traffic characteristic of pedestrians is commonly described and measured by speed and density.

(1) Pedestrian speed Pedestrian speed is the key parameter of pedestrian traffic characteristic relating with an actor's self attribute, the road the ...