2024 MODSIM World Conference

Join us at the 16th International MODSIM World conference. The conference focuses on the application of Modeling and Simulation to support ever-changing future demands under the 2024 theme, “Breaking Beyond: Taking the Next Step.”

MODSIM will bring together M&S leaders focused on novel solutions and applications designed to innovate our future world. This unique, multi-disciplinary, and international conference and exposition features three presentation tracks, focusing on M&S communities of practice: Industry, Defense, and Training & Education. These main tracks include technologies, approaches, and solutions in numerous areas including Engineering, Medical Simulation, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Extended Reality, Gamification, and Visualizations.

RTI experts Ranier Hilscher, Will Parkin, and Matthew DeMichele will discuss agent-based modeling and developing a specialized modeling methodology to simulate a range of human behaviors at soft targets and crowded places (ST-CPs) after an IED attack. 

Presentation summary

This paper presents findings from research by RTI International and the Department of Homeland Security on modeling human behaviors during targeted IED attacks at soft targets and crowded places (ST-CPs). Through this research, a flexible agent-based modeling (ABM) framework has been developed to simulate crowd and first responder behaviors during acts of targeted violence. The ABMs simulate interactions between agents in virtual environments representing real-world venues, analyzing how changes in physical environment, human behaviors, policies, and protective measures impact outcomes like the risk of injury and death. The paper details the ABM methodology and software used to simulate and visualize behavioral responses, providing insights for enhancing ST-CP security protocols.