Crowd Simulations with SimCrowds: From Insight to Effective Crowd Management

Thanks to its strategic partnership with uCrowds, ESI now offers crowd simulations in-house. This enables us to combine our knowledge and experience in public safety and crowd management with advanced simulation software.

ESI uses crowd simulations to analyse events and other busy locations, such as popular tourist destinations, crowded buildings and demonstrations. Using SimCrowds, ESI visualises crowd flows and investigates how different scenarios and measures may affect the movement of people.

Our Services Using SimCrowds

Depending on the location, situation and research question, ESI can use crowd simulations for various types of analysis and consultancy.

1. Analysis of Crowd Flows and Walking Routes

• Visualising how visitors may move through an area or across an event site.
• Investigating potential bottlenecks, congestion and locations where pedestrian flow may be restricted.
• Comparing different pedestrian routes and the distribution of visitors across an area.

2. Assessment of Crowd Capacity and Density

• Investigating how crowd flows develop under different visitor numbers and conditions.
• Identifying locations where high crowd densities or reduced flow rates may occur.
• Assessing how the layout of an area affects the distribution and movement of visitors.

3. Optimisation of Venue Layouts

• Exploring alternative layouts for entrances, exits, pedestrian routes and passageways.
• Comparing the effects of obstacles, temporary facilities and other layout elements on crowd flows.
• Simulating different solutions to determine which layout could improve pedestrian flow.

4. Scenario Analysis for Events and Busy Locations

• Investigating different scenarios involving visitor numbers, arrival patterns and pedestrian movements.
• Visualising how changing conditions may affect crowd flows.
• Identifying potential bottlenecks in advance and improving preparedness.

5. Evacuation Analysis and Alternative Routes

• Modelling potential evacuation scenarios and investigating how people may move along available routes.
• Comparing alternative routes and the layout of escape routes.
• Identifying potential bottlenecks in the movement of people to support further safety assessments.

6. Evaluation of Crowd Management Measures

• Investigating whether adjustments to the layout or pedestrian routes could improve crowd flow.
• Comparing different measures and combinations of measures.
• Translating the results into practical recommendations for improving the organisation and management of crowd flows.

7. Support for Operational Planning and Preparedness

• Exploring scenarios in preparation for events, demonstrations, tourist hotspots and busy recreational areas.
• Using visualisations to discuss potential situations and measures with event organisers, venue managers and other stakeholders.
• Using simulations to support decision-making on crowd management measures and preparedness for different conditions.

From Simulation to Practical Recommendations

Crowd simulation is a powerful tool for understanding crowd behaviour and turning insights into practical solutions.

At ESI, we combine SimCrowds simulations with our expertise in public safety, crowd management and the specific characteristics of each venue or event. This allows us to identify potential bottlenecks, assess alternative scenarios and develop targeted recommendations.

For example, simulations can reveal where congestion may occur, such as around an entrance. We can then test different solutions, from redesigning the layout and adjusting pedestrian routes to improving the distribution of visitors. Comparing these scenarios helps inform better decisions and supports effective planning, venue design and event operations.

SimCrowds enables interactive crowd simulations in both 2D and 3D, allowing different scenarios to be visualised and the impact of changes to be assessed in real time. Built on extensive scientific research, the software continues to evolve to support increasingly advanced crowd simulations. Discover more about SimCrowds on the uCrowds website.

A Targeted Simulation or a More Comprehensive Study

Every location and situation presents its own challenges, requiring an approach tailored to the specific question. A focused simulation may be enough to investigate a particular bottleneck, while more complex challenges may call for a broader study covering public safety, crowd management planning or the design and use of a venue or public space.

Get in touch with Event Safety Institute to explore how crowd simulation can support your event or venue. We’ll work with you to define your needs and determine how SimCrowds can best be applied, whether as a standalone simulation or as part of a wider research or consultancy project.