Route selection method Use service point selection

You can use the Service point selection method to perform dynamic pedestrian routing.

Tip: Network files, including examples, can be found in the directory ..\Documents\PTV Vision\PTV Viswalk 2022\Queuing:

  • 04 Service Points.inpx
  • 04 Service Points 2.inpx

Use cases for the service point selection method

The route choice method Service point selection is suited for the following use cases:

  • Central queue

To model a single joint queue for multiple service points. In reality, the "first come – first served" principle is practiced in post offices, at train stations or airports. Pedestrians are not only queuing in front of the service points, but they may also wait in areas in front of these points. The Queue attribute of the area which relates to the partial route decision must be selected. The area is thus turned into a queue area.

  • Immediate service point allocation

A simple decision model for multiple service points. The pedestrians wait at each service point with a separate queue. The pedestrian has to decide which queue to join. Normally, pedestrians will choose the queue with the shortest waiting time. However, it is not easy to tell which one that is, particularly when there is a large number of service points and/or queues, e.g. at supermarket checkouts or ticket gates. The Queue attribute of the area in front of the service points must be selected. The areas are thus turned into queue areas.

  • Survey/interview

Individual pedestrians walking by are asked to stop for a minute, e.g. to answer a few questions in a questionnaire. Afterwards, they continue their route.

  • You can also model pedestrians who wait in a central area and then go to the service points where queues may occur.
Effects on routing

Pedestrians affected by this partial routing decision can be influenced in their routing behavior as follows:

  • Routing to a central queue in the area containing a partial routing decision. This area must be a queue area. The waiting time refers to the area containing a partial routing decision.
  • Direct routing to a queue in a queue area. The area where the partial routing decision is made must not be a queue area. At least one of the service points should not have reached its maximum number of waiting pedestrians in order to allow pedestrians to join the queue. You can enter them as Proceed to service point if no more than __ people are queuing there parameter of the partial routing decision. If all queues are longer, the partial routing decision is ignored and the pedestrian ignores the service points.

The service point is the first queue area on the course of the route that includes an intermediate point of the partial route.

Modeling suggestions for these use cases

Tip: Your Vissim installation provides modeling examples for test applications:

..\Examples Training\Pedestrians\Queuing\08 - Service Desk Partial Routes - Use Cases.inpx

In all figures below, the pedestrian streams go from left to right.

Symbol Name Description

Pedestrian area

The Queue option is selected.

Pedestrian area

The Queue option is not selected.

Static routing decision Route point where a pedestrian route starts (static).

In the pictures below, in the left areas in which pedestrian inputs are defined as well.

Partial routing decision

Partial routing decision using the route choice method Service point selection. In the pictures below, in the waiting areas.

Use case 1: Central queue, the Queue option s selected

Typically, the queue threshold nis as follows: Proceed to service point if no more than __ people are queuing there = 0.

This ensures that there is no queue at the service point.

Use case 2: Immediate service point allocation Queue option is not selected

Typically, the queue threshold nis as follows: Proceed to service point if no more than __ people are queuing there = 99.

This ensures that all pedestrians join a queue.

Scenario 3: Survey/interview

Typically, the queue threshold nis as follows: Proceed to service point if no more than __ people are queuing there = 0.

This ensures that there is no queue at the service point.