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Please briefly explain your current role and involvement in
simulation and modelling technologies.
John Harding (JH): I am an architect and technical director specialising in the design of transport buildings, usually train stations, or depots that are either new or require modifications. These may be in the UK or internationally, as either one off or part of a wider programme where safety is critical, budgets are high and programmes may take decades from design, to build, to operation. So it is critical to build trust with clients by demonstrating at the design stage proposals satisfy all client requirements. For example, agent based modelling (ABM) and simulation tools provides an early opportunity to demonstrate requirements for crowdedness and ease of use of stations are satisfactory. ABM is also used to compare rival designs in an objective way and so that the most satisfactory design can be chosen for further refinement at the earliest possible stage. So, using such tools in a rigorous way builds trust with clients and stakeholders that the most satisfactory design is chosen at the earliest opportunity.
What is the number one challenge holding back the integration of
simulation and modelling?
JH: Simulation and modelling outputs requires experienced modellers and analysts. And simulation and modelling may be delayed or not completed at an early design stage when the design has less ‘sunk’ cost. If modelling is completed too late, design errors or omissions or opportunities may not be realised or learned until much later when it is much more expensive to correct. So, it is critical to change attitudes of those responsible involved in the design to ensure, any alternatives are examined with rigour and if appropriate modelling and simulation tools are used even at concept stage.
What key topics are you excited to discuss at this year's
conference?
JH: Inclusivity is one of the three pillars of sustainability (socio, economic and environment). So that everyone can benefit from economic progress while minimising environmental damage by using public transport, it is particularly important to understand how inclusivity and in particularly accessibility of the train station environment impacts everyone. Secondly, this topic explores how agent-based modelling and simulation was used to compare inclusivity of a rival design fourfold without increasing costs or size of a station. Thirdly, how service design approaches are used in the design of the built environment for the first time.
Who else are you most interested in hearing from on the
programme?
JH: To see and hear about how other industries and fields are using these tools.
What developments in simulation and modelling are you most
interested in for the future and why?
JH: One of the issues is how to objectively analyse data. So to improve objective analysis of simulation and modelling data, it would be interesting to see advances in integration of machine learning with modelling and simulation. For example, richer data may be persuasive to making better decisions about what design features and arrangements produce more inclusive results. For example, it may be possible to elicit how an agent, experiences their journeys, whether they experience any physical challenges, slips, trips, or falls, or bumps into other agents, and experience of being overcrowd or having lost their way? And how do those experiences change with age, gender or disability? Such data may be influential in designing for inclusivity and satisfactory customer experiences. Similarly, other scenarios could be examined such as station operation and emergency evacuation.
Why is it important for engineers to join this event?
JH: To be informed by seeing and hearing the latest in cross disciplinary design and research community.
Simulation and Modelling 2021 takes place live and online on 14 September 2021.
Don't miss your chance to join this popular forum to discuss the latest developments being made with computer aided and virtual engineering. Explore the advances being made with integration, optimisation and validation, from design stage right through to manufacturing, with case studies from Jacobs, Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, FIMAC, National Physics Laboratory and more.
For further details and to book your place, please visit the event website.