Flurin H�nseler

Journal publications [4]

2017

Hänseler F., Lam W., Bierlaire M., Lederrey G., Nikolic M. (2017). A dynamic network loading model for anisotropic and congested pedestrian flows. Transportation Research Part B: Methodological 95 :149-168


@Article{HaenLamBierLedeNiko16,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and William Lam and Michel Bierlaire and Gael Lederrey and Marija Nikolic},
  title = {A dynamic network loading model for anisotropic and congested pedestrian flows},
  journal = {Transportation Research Part B: Methodological},
  year = {2017},
  volume = {95},
  pages = {149-168},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.trb.2016.10.017},
  note = {Accepted on Oct 31, 2016}}}

Hänseler F., Molyneaux N., Bierlaire M. (2017). Estimation of pedestrian origin-destination demand in train stations. Transportation Science 51 (3):981-997


@Article{HaenMolyBier16,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Nicholas Molyneaux and Michel Bierlaire},
  title = {Estimation of pedestrian origin-destination demand in train stations},
  journal = {Transportation Science},
  year = {2017},
  volume = {51},
  number = {3},
  pages = {981-997},
  DOI = {10.1287/trsc.2016.0723},
  note = {Accepted on Jul 07, 2016}}}

2016

Hänseler F., Bierlaire M., Scarinci R. (2016). Assessing the usage and level-of-service of pedestrian facilities in train stations: A Swiss case study. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice 89 :106-123


@Article{HaenBierScar16,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Michel Bierlaire and Riccardo Scarinci},
  title = {Assessing the usage and level-of-service of pedestrian facilities in train stations: A Swiss case study},
  journal = {Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice},
  year = {2016},
  volume = {89},
  pages = {106-123},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.tra.2016.05.010},
  note = {Accepted on May 16, 2016}}}

2014

Hänseler F., Bierlaire M., Farooq B., Mühlematter T. (2014). A macroscopic loading model for time-varying pedestrian flows in public walking areas. Transportation Research Part B: Methodological 69 :60 -- 80

A macroscopic loading model applicable to time-dependent and congested pedestrian flows in public walking areas is proposed. Building on the continuum theory of pedestrian flows and the cell transmission model for car traffic, an isotropic framework is developed that can describe the simultaneous and potentially conflicting propagation of multiple pedestrian groups. The model is formulated at the aggregate level and thus computationally cheap, which is advantageous for studying large-scale problems. A detailed analysis of several basic flow patterns including counter- and cross flows, as well as two generic scenarios involving a corner- and a bottleneck flow is carried out. Various behavioral patterns ranging from disciplined queueing to impatient jostling can be realistically reproduced. Following a systematic model calibration, two case studies involving a Swiss railway station and a Dutch bottleneck flow experiment are presented. A comparison with the social force model and pedestrian tracking data shows a good performance of the proposed model with respect to predictions of travel time and density.
```
@Article{Haens_Bier_Far_Muhl_2014,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Michel Bierlaire and Bilal Farooq and Thomas M\"uhlematter},
  title = {A macroscopic loading model for time-varying pedestrian flows in public walking areas},
  journal = {Transportation Research Part B: Methodological},
  year = {2014},
  volume = {69},
  pages = {60 -- 80},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.trb.2014.08.003},
  note = {Accepted on Aug 08, 2014}}}
```

Technical reports [7]

2015

Hänseler F., Lam W., Bierlaire M., Lederrey G., Nikolic M. (2015). A dynamic network loading model for anisotropic and congested pedestrian flows. Report TRANSP-OR 151026


@TechReport{HaLaBiLeNi_2015,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and William Lam and Michel Bierlaire and Gael Lederrey and Marija Nikolic},
  title = {A dynamic network loading model for anisotropic and congested pedestrian flows},
  institution = {Transport and Mobility Laboratory, Ecole Polytechnique F\'ed\'erale de Lausanne},
  year = {2015},
  type = {Technical Report},
  number = {TRANSP-OR 151026},
  address = {Lausanne, Switzerland}}}

Hänseler F., Bierlaire M., Scarinci R. (2015). Assessing the usage and level-of-service of pedestrian facilities in train stations: A Swiss case study. Report TRANSP-OR 151008


@TechReport{HaBiSc_2015,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Michel Bierlaire and Riccardo Scarinci},
  title = {Assessing the usage and level-of-service of pedestrian facilities in train stations: A Swiss case study},
  institution = {Transport and Mobility Laboratory, Ecole Polytechnique F\'ed\'erale de Lausanne},
  year = {2015},
  type = {Technical Report},
  number = {TRANSP-OR 151008},
  address = {Lausanne, Switzerland}}}

Hänseler F., Molyneaux N., Bierlaire M. (2015). Estimation of pedestrian origin-destination demand in train stations. Report TRANSP-OR 150703


@TechReport{HaMoBi_PedDemEstRevised2015,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Nicholas Molyneaux and Michel Bierlaire},
  title = {Estimation of pedestrian origin-destination demand in train stations},
  institution = {Transport and Mobility Laboratory, Ecole Polytechnique F\'ed\'erale de Lausanne},
  year = {2015},
  type = {Technical Report},
  number = {TRANSP-OR 150703},
  address = {Lausanne, Switzerland}}}

Hänseler F., Molyneaux N., Bierlaire M. (2015). Schedule-based estimation of pedestrian origin-destination demand in railway stations. Report TRANSP-OR 150108


@TechReport{HaMoBi_PedDemEst2015,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Nicholas Molyneaux and Michel Bierlaire},
  title = {Schedule-based estimation of pedestrian origin-destination demand in railway stations},
  institution = {Transport and Mobility Laboratory, Ecole Polytechnique F\'ed\'erale de Lausanne},
  year = {2015},
  type = {Technical Report},
  number = {TRANSP-OR 150108},
  address = {Lausanne, Switzerland}}}

2013

Hänseler F., Bierlaire M., Farooq B., Mühlematter T. (2013). An aggregate model for transient and multi-directional pedestrian flows in public walking areas. Report TRANSP-OR 131219


@TechReport{PedCTM_2013,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Michel Bierlaire and Bilal Farooq and Thomas M\"uhlematter},
  title = {An aggregate model for transient and multi-directional pedestrian flows in public walking areas},
  institution = {Transport and Mobility Laboratory, Ecole Polytechnique F\'ed\'erale de Lausanne},
  year = {2013},
  type = {Technical Report},
  number = {TRANSP-OR 131219},
  address = {Lausanne, Switzerland}}}

Hänseler F., Molyneaux N., Thémans M., Bierlaire M. (2013). Pedestrian strategies within railway stations: Analysis and modeling of pedestrian flows (PedFlux Mid-Term Report). Report TRANSP-OR 130920


@TechReport{PedFluxMidTerm,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Nicholas Molyneaux and Micha\"el Th\'emans and Michel Bierlaire},
  title = {Pedestrian strategies within railway stations: Analysis and modeling of pedestrian flows (PedFlux Mid-Term Report)},
  institution = {Transport and Mobility Laboratory, Ecole Polytechnique F\'ed\'erale de Lausanne},
  year = {2013},
  type = {Technical Report},
  number = {TRANSP-OR 130920},
  address = {Lausanne, Switzerland}}}

2012

Hänseler F., Sahaleh S., Farooq B., Lavadinho S., Thémans M., Bierlaire M. (2012). Final report on the modeling part of the "Flux pietons Gare de Lausanne" project within the framework of "Leman 2030". Report TRANSP-OR 120801


@TechReport{LEMAN2030,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Sohrab Sahaleh and Bilal Farooq and Sonia Lavadinho and Micha\"el Th\'emans and Michel Bierlaire},
  title = {Final report on the modeling part of the ''Flux pietons Gare de Lausanne'' project within the framework of ''Leman 2030''},
  institution = {Transport and Mobility Laboratory, Ecole Polytechnique F\'ed\'erale de Lausanne},
  year = {2012},
  type = {Technical Report},
  number = {TRANSP-OR 120801},
  address = {Lausanne, Switzerland}}}

Articles in conference proceedings [6]

2015

Hänseler F., Bierlaire M., Molyneaux N., Scarinci R., Thémans M. (2015) Modeling pedestrian flows in train stations: The example of Lausanne railway station. Proceedings of the Swiss Transportation Research Conference (STRC), April 15-17, Ascona, Switzerland


@InProceedings{Flurin_STRC_2015,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Michel Bierlaire and Nicholas Molyneaux and Riccardo Scarinci and Micha\"el Th\'emans},
  title = {Modeling pedestrian flows in train stations: The example of Lausanne railway station},
  booktime = {Proceedings of the Swiss Transportation Research Conference (STRC), April 15-17},
  year = {2015},
  address = {Ascona, Switzerland}}}

2014

Hänseler F., Molyneaux N., Bierlaire M., Stathopoulos A. (2014) Schedule-based estimation of pedestrian demand within a railway station. Proceedings of the Swiss Transportation Research Conference (STRC), 14-16 May, Ascona, Switzerland


@InProceedings{Haens_STRC_2014,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Nicholas Molyneaux and Michel Bierlaire and Amanda Stathopoulos},
  title = {Schedule-based estimation of pedestrian demand within a railway station},
  booktime = {Proceedings of the Swiss Transportation Research Conference (STRC), 14-16 May},
  year = {2014},
  address = {Ascona, Switzerland}}}

Molyneaux N., Hänseler F., Bierlaire M. (2014) Modelling of train-induced pedestrian flows in railway stations. Proceedings of the Swiss Transportation Research Conference (STRC), 14-16 May, Ascona, Switzerland


@InProceedings{MolHaeBie_STRC_2014,
  author = {Nicholas Molyneaux and Flurin H\"anseler and Michel Bierlaire},
  title = {Modelling of train-induced pedestrian flows in railway stations},
  booktime = {Proceedings of the Swiss Transportation Research Conference (STRC), 14-16 May},
  year = {2014},
  address = {Ascona, Switzerland}}}

2013

Hänseler F., Farooq B., Bierlaire M. (2013) An aggregated dynamic flow model for pedestrian movement in railway stations. Proceedings of the Swiss Transportation Research Conference (STRC), 24-26 April, Ascona, Switzerland


@InProceedings{Haens_STRC_2013,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Bilal Farooq and Michel Bierlaire},
  title = {An aggregated dynamic flow model for pedestrian movement in railway stations},
  booktime = {Proceedings of the Swiss Transportation Research Conference (STRC), 24-26 April},
  year = {2013},
  address = {Ascona, Switzerland}}}

2012

Hänseler F., Farooq B., Bierlaire M. (2012) Preliminary ideas for dynamic estimation of pedestrian origin-destination demand within train stations. Proceedings of the Swiss Transport Research Conference (STRC), 02.05.2012-04.05.2012, Ascona, Switzerland


@InProceedings{HaeFarBie_STRC_2012,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Bilal Farooq and Michel Bierlaire},
  title = {Preliminary ideas for dynamic estimation of pedestrian origin-destination demand within train stations},
  booktime = {Proceedings of the Swiss Transport Research Conference (STRC), 02.05.2012-04.05.2012},
  year = {2012},
  address = {Ascona, Switzerland}}}

Sahaleh S., Bierlaire M., Farooq B., Danalet A., Hänseler F. (2012) Scenario Analysis of Pedestrian Flow in Public Spaces. Proceedings of the 12th Swiss Transport Research Conference (STRC), May 2-4, Monte Verit�, Ascona, Switzerland


@InProceedings{SahBie_STRC_2012,
  author = {Sohrab Sahaleh and Michel Bierlaire and Bilal Farooq and Antonin Danalet and Flurin H\"anseler},
  title = {Scenario Analysis of Pedestrian Flow in Public Spaces},
  booktime = {Proceedings of the 12th Swiss Transport Research Conference (STRC), May 2-4},
  year = {2012},
  address = {Monte Verit\`a, Ascona, Switzerland}}}

Talks [11]

2016

Hänseler F. Modeling and estimation of pedestrian flows in train stations (Public defense) March 11, 2016. Public thesis defense, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.


@Misc{Flurin_PubDef,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler},
  title = { Modeling and estimation of pedestrian flows in train stations (Public defense)},
  howpublished = {\url{https://transp-or.epfl.ch/documents/talks/Flurin_PubDef.pdf}},
  year = {2016},
  note = {Presented at Public thesis defense, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland}}}

Hänseler F. Modeling and estimation of pedestrian flows in train stations (Private defense) February 11, 2016. Private thesis defense, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.


@Misc{Flurin_PrivDef,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler},
  title = { Modeling and estimation of pedestrian flows in train stations (Private defense)},
  howpublished = {\url{https://transp-or.epfl.ch/documents/talks/Flurin_PrivDef.pdf}},
  year = {2016},
  note = {Presented at Private thesis defense, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland}}}

2015

Hänseler F., Lam W., Bierlaire M., Lederrey G., Nikolic M. A dynamic network loading model for anisotropic and congested pedestrian flows October 30, 2015. TGF '15, TU Delft, Delft, The Netherlands.


@Misc{Flurin_TGF15,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and William Lam and Michel Bierlaire and Gael Lederrey and Marija Nikolic},
  title = { A dynamic network loading model for anisotropic and congested pedestrian flows},
  howpublished = {\url{https://transp-or.epfl.ch/documents/talks/Flurin_TGF15.pdf}},
  year = {2015},
  note = {Presented at TGF '15, TU Delft, Delft, The Netherlands}}}

Hänseler F., Lam W., Bierlaire M., Lederrey G., Nikolic M. A dynamic network loading model for anisotropic and congested pedestrian flows September 10, 2015. 4th Symposium of the European Association for Research in Transportation, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.


@Misc{Flurin_hEART_2015,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and William Lam and Michel Bierlaire and Gael Lederrey and Marija Nikolic},
  title = {A dynamic network loading model for anisotropic and congested pedestrian flows},
  howpublished = {\url{https://transp-or.epfl.ch/documents/talks/Flurin_hEART_2015.pdf}},
  year = {2015},
  note = {Presented at 4th Symposium of the European Association for Research in Transportation, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark}}}

Hänseler F., Bierlaire M., Molyneaux N., Scarinci R., Thémans M. Modeling pedestrian flows in train stations: The example of Lausanne railway station April 16, 2015. Swiss Transport Research Conference, Ascona.


@Misc{Flurin-STRC-2015,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Michel Bierlaire and Nicholas Molyneaux and Riccardo Scarinci and Micha\"el Th\'emans},
  title = {Modeling pedestrian flows in train stations: The example of Lausanne railway station},
  howpublished = {\url{https://transp-or.epfl.ch/documents/talks/Flurin-STRC-2015.pdf}},
  year = {2015},
  note = {Presented at Swiss Transport Research Conference, Ascona}}}

2014

Hänseler F., Lam W., Bierlaire M. A macroscopic loading model for dynamic, multi-directional and congested pedestrian flows December 16, 2014. Hong Kong Society for Research in Transportation (HKSTS) Annual Conference, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.


@Misc{Flurin_HKSTS_2014,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and William Lam and Michel Bierlaire},
  title = {A macroscopic loading model for dynamic, multi-directional and congested pedestrian flows},
  howpublished = {\url{https://transp-or.epfl.ch/documents/talks/Flurin_HKSTS_2014.pdf}},
  year = {2014},
  note = {Presented at Hong Kong Society for Research in Transportation (HKSTS) Annual Conference, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China}}}

2013

Hänseler F. Analysis and modeling of pedestrian flows in railway stations December 04, 2013. Meeting SBB-Beirat Technologie, Methoden und Prozesse, SBB-CFF-FFS, Lausanne.


@Misc{Flurin-2013-Beirat,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler},
  title = {Analysis and modeling of pedestrian flows in railway stations},
  howpublished = {\url{https://transp-or.epfl.ch/documents/talks/Flurin-2013-Beirat.pdf}},
  year = {2013},
  note = {Presented at Meeting SBB-Beirat Technologie, Methoden und Prozesse, SBB-CFF-FFS, Lausanne}}}

Hänseler F., Farooq B., Bierlaire M. A mesoscopic dynamic flow model for pedestrian movement in railway stations September 06, 2013. 2nd Symposium of the European Association for Research in Transportation (hEART 2013), Stockholm.


@Misc{Flurin-2013-hEART,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Bilal Farooq and Michel Bierlaire},
  title = {A mesoscopic dynamic flow model for pedestrian movement in railway stations},
  howpublished = {\url{https://transp-or.epfl.ch/documents/talks/Flurin-2013-hEART.pdf}},
  year = {2013},
  note = {Presented at 2nd Symposium of the European Association for Research in Transportation (hEART 2013), Stockholm}}}

Hänseler F., Farooq B., Bierlaire M. A mesoscopic dynamic flow model for pedestrian movement in railway stations April 25, 2013. Swiss Transport Research Conference, A.


@Misc{Flurin-2013-STRC,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Bilal Farooq and Michel Bierlaire},
  title = {A mesoscopic dynamic flow model for pedestrian movement in railway stations},
  howpublished = {\url{https://transp-or.epfl.ch/documents/talks/Flurin-2013-STRC.pdf}},
  year = {2013},
  note = {Presented at Swiss Transport Research Conference, A}}}

2012

Hänseler F. Pedestrian flow modeling in train stations: �Le?man 2030 � Flux pie?tons Gare de Lausanne� and PedFlux October 29, 2012. SBB-I-AT-BZU-PFL Expert Meeting, Bern.


@Misc{Flurin-2013-SBB,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler},
  title = {Pedestrian flow modeling in train stations: {\textquoteleft}Le?man 2030 {\textendash} Flux pie?tons Gare de Lausanne{\textquoteright} and PedFlux},
  howpublished = {\url{https://transp-or.epfl.ch/documents/talks/Flurin-2013-SBB.pdf}},
  year = {2012},
  note = {Presented at SBB-I-AT-BZU-PFL Expert Meeting, Bern}}}

Hänseler F., Farooq B., Bierlaire M. Preliminary ideas for dynamic estimation of pedestrian origin-destination demand within train stations May 03, 2012. Swiss Transport Research Conference, Ascona.


@Misc{Flurin-2012-STRC,
  author = {Flurin H\"anseler and Bilal Farooq and Michel Bierlaire},
  title = {Preliminary ideas for dynamic estimation of pedestrian origin-destination demand within train stations},
  howpublished = {\url{https://transp-or.epfl.ch/documents/talks/Flurin-2012-STRC.pdf}},
  year = {2012},
  note = {Presented at Swiss Transport Research Conference, Ascona}}}

Research projects [3]

2012

Pedflux: Pedestrian flow modeling in train stations

The aim of this collaborative research project between the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB-CFF-FFS) and EPFL's transportation center is to analyze, model and optimize pedestrian flows in train stations. In recent years, the growing number of passengers has led to difficulties related to pedestrian flows in major train stations. Congestion of pedestrian walkways is increasingly becoming a problem during peak hours, but also due to clustering of people caused by major events or the beginning or end of holiday season. When capacity limits for pedestrian facilities are reached, normal operation of train schedules can be significantly impaired. Since train stations are important nodes within the multimodal public transportation system, it is of major importance that they are operated as efficiently as possible. In addition to the increase in passenger numbers, train stations have been undergoing a profound transformation from simple transit nodes towards versatile hubs that provide interface to short and long-distance train connections, to other modes including private transport by foot, bike and car, as well as to the city offering public space for shopping, eating and alike. This transformation leads to a further increase in pedestrian numbers and additionally introduces new behavior patterns. A sound understanding of pedestrian flows within a train station can help improve overall level of service, customer experience and safety. The main focus of this study lies on the development of a methodology allowing to estimate pedestrian origin-destination (OD) demand within a train station. Specifically, train time table, customer survey data and flow observations from an exhaustive camera system are used as sources of information in this process. Subsequently, the modeling frame work is applied to several case studies in Switzerland.
- Apr 01, 2012 - Mar 31, 2015
- Sponsor: Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)
- Principal investigator: Michel Bierlaire
- Project managers: Micha�l Th�mans, Riccardo Scarinci
- Collaborator: Flurin H�nseler
Pedestrian dynamics: flows and behavior

This project aims at developing mathematical models of pedestrian dynamics, both at aggregate and disaggregate levels. Integrated and holistic mathematical models will handle the complexity of this unique transport mode and help us to answer open research questions. in the future, such foundations will also allow to create the tools society needs to better understand pedestrian dynamics.
- Apr 01, 2012 - Mar 31, 2015
- Sponsor: Swiss National Science Foundation
- Principal investigator: Michel Bierlaire
- Project managers: Bilal Farooq, Riccardo Scarinci
- Collaborators: Antonin Danalet, Flurin H�nseler, Marija Nikolic

2011

L�man 2030: Flux pi�tons Gare de Lausanne

In the framework of a 9-month collaboration with CFF, pedestrian flows in Lausanne train station are estimated and modeled. Specifically, an estimation methodology for pedestrian origin-destination demand is developed and applied to predict a demand scenario for 2030. By means of a pedestrian flow simulator, several infrastructure scenarios are quantitatively evaluated, the result of which helps CFF to design and dimension pedestrian underpasses of Gare de Lausanne for the future.
- Oct 01, 2011 - Jul 15, 2012
- Sponsor: Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)
- Principal investigator: Michel Bierlaire
- Project managers: Micha�l Th�mans, Bilal Farooq
- Collaborators: Flurin H�nseler, Antonin Danalet, Sohrab Sahaleh

EPFL courses [2]

Spring 2015

Enjeux Mondiaux.
- Level: Bachelor
- Section: All sections
- Lecturer: Michel Bierlaire
- Teaching assistants: Stefan Binder, Flurin H�nseler
- Webpage: http://moodle.epfl.ch/course/view.php?id=13982

Spring 2012

Recherche op�rationnelle.
- Level: Bachelor
- Sections: Civil Engineering, Environmental Sciences and Engineering
- Lecturer: Michel Bierlaire
- Teaching assistant: Flurin H�nseler
- Webpage: http://transp-or.epfl.ch/courses/ro2012

MSc theses [1]

2014

A multi-class framework for a pedestrian cell transmission model accounting for population heterogeneity, Guy Cooper (Mathematics)
- Supervision: Flurin Hänseler, Marija Nikolic
- External expert:

Semester projects [10]

2015-2016

Specification testing of fundamental diagrams for an anisotropic pedestrian network loading model, Joel Mateus Fonseca (Communication Systems)

Supervision: Flurin Hänseler, Marija Nikolic, Michel Bierlaire

Online estimation of pedestrian origin-destination demand in train stations using Kalman Filtering, Marc Solsona Bernet (Civil Engineering)

Supervision: Flurin Hänseler, Stefan Binder, Michel Bierlaire

2015

Development of a novel pedestrian walking model applicable to congested flows, Gael LEDERREY

Supervision: Flurin Hänseler, Marija Nikolic, Michel Bierlaire
We are in the process of developing a novel pedestrian walking model that can describe multi-directional and congested pedestrian flow. Given a certain demand, the model is supposed to predict travel times and density levels as accurately as possible. The basic idea thereby consists in discretizing walkable space into cells and links, and to compute for each link a speed based on an empirical density-speed relation. The goal of this project, which can be carried out as a Bachelor's, semester, or Master's thesis, is (i) to understand and improve the existing mathematical model, (ii) to accordingly update the computational model (written in Java), and (iii) to consider a real-world case study involving either a Swiss railway station, a Dutch bottleneck experiment or a pedestrian crossing in Hong Kong, China. In the long term, this model will be useful for real-time crowd monitoring and control, as well as for infrastructure dimensioning of e.g. a train station. Skills in object-oriented programming and a basic knowledge of statistical mathematics are required; knowledge of parallel computing is a plus. Semester: Spring 2015. If interested, please contact us at {flurin.haenseler,marija.nikolic}@epfl.ch. We're looking forward to hearing from you.

2014

A two-step approach for estimating pedestrian demand in a congested network, Eduard Rojas (Computer science)

Supervision: Flurin Hänseler, Antonin Danalet, Michel Bierlaire

2013-2014

Demand/supply coupling in pedestrian traffic estimation, Jérémy Rabasco (Computational science and engineering)

Supervision: Flurin Hänseler, Michel Bierlaire
The main purpose of this paper is to show a mathematical framework for solving the fixed-point arising in joint demand estimation / traffic assignment problems. As a case study. a congested corridor with known outflow is considered, for which the inflows is predicted using the developed framework. The model is based on a coupling between the travel demand and the network supply (the infrastructure available) in an analogous way as what is done in economics.

Schedule-based estimation of pedestrian travel demand within a quasi-uncongested railway station, Quentin Mazars-Simon (Communication Systems)

Supervision: Flurin Hänseler, Amanda Stathopoulos
In many railway stations, capacity limits are reached at peak hours and congestion in pedestrian facilities occurs. There is thus a general need to analyze and model pedestrian flows in train stations. In this process, estimating pedestrian origin-destination demand and, more precisely, route flows is a major challenge. The ultimate goal of this research project is to dynamically predict pedestrian travel demand within a train station based on train time table and train track assignment. To this end, a preliminary methodology has been developed. This framework needs to be refined and extended in many ways, which can be an interesting and suitable task for a semester or Master's thesis. Your thesis would be part of a comprehensive project employing pedestrian tracking, flow modeling and infrastructure optimization. All ideas and model concepts will be tested, parametrized and validated on a real case study.

2013

Movement patterns of pedestrians on platforms, Nicholas Alan Molyneaux

Supervision: Flurin Hänseler, Amanda Stathopoulos
To understand how people access a train station by means of trains, the arrival and departure pattern of pedestrians on platforms is of interest. In particular, the embarkation/disembarkation behavior of train passengers is an important factor for congestion in pedestrian facilities. The departure pattern of pedestrians awaiting to board a train has been shown to follow a beta distribution. In contrast to that, arriving passengers usually enter a train station as a very dense crowd, causing a theoretical inflow that exceeds the capacity of pedestrian facilities. The goal of this work is to mathematically describe the arrival and departure patterns caused by single trains as well as for platforms on which multiple trains follow each other in close succession. Very detailed pedestrian tracking data of platform 3/4 in Gare de Lausanne will form the basis of this analysis. Basic programming skills or a strong willingness to acquire such knowledge is desired.

Development of a novel pedestrian flow simulator, Thomas Mühlematter

Supervision: Flurin Hänseler, Bilal Farooq
Due to a general increase in travel demand, pedestrian flows in railway stations are gaining importance. Space is getting scarce, pedestrian density is reaching critical levels, and walking times are getting longer. To better understand these phenomena, we are currently developing a cell-based pedestrian flow simulator. Key features of this framework include its ability to i) realistically reproduce pedestrian density waves caused by arriving trains, ii) adequately describe multi-directional flows often present in public spaces, iii) consider differences in walking speeds among characteristic groups of pedestrians (such as passengers with luggage, handicapped people, travelers in a hurry, etc). To extend and implement this framework, basic programming skills or a strong willingness to acquire such knowledge is needed. Familiarity with fundamental fluid dynamics would be a plus. Extensive support and insight into ongoing research are provided.

2012-2013

Movement patterns of pedestrians on platforms prior to/after train departures/arrivals in Gare de Lausanne: Exploitation of pedestrian tracking data, Isabel Tovar

Supervision: Flurin Hänseler, Marija Nikolic
In order to better understand how people access and leave a train station by means of trains, the arrival and departure pattern of pedestrians on platform is of interest. In particular, the embarkation/disembarkation behavior of train passengers is an important factor for congestion in pedestrian facilities. The departure pattern of pedestrians awaiting to board a train is expected to follow a beta distribution. In contrast to that, arriving passengers usually enter a train station as a very dense crowd, causing a theoretical inflow that exceeds the capacity of pedestrian facilities. This saturation effect needs to be taken into account when modeling arrival patterns. The goal of this work is to mathematically describe the arrival and departure patterns caused by single trains as well as for platforms on which multiple trains follow each other in close succession. Case studies for RER, RE and ICE/EC trains will be considered in order to better understand the influence of train size and type on these patterns.

Dynamic estimation of pedestrian origin-destination within train stations: Exploitation of pedestrian tracking data and comparison to travel surveys, Maëlle Zimmermann (Mathematics)

Supervision: Flurin Hänseler, Antonin Danalet
OD demand will be estimated dynamically (i.e., as a function of time) based on observed pedestrian trajectories. Key in this process is a diligent choice of origins/destinations and their cordons, as well as a smart handling of �lost� pedestrians, i.e., people of which the algorithm looses track due to overcrowding or bad light conditions. Another challenge is finding a way to deal with multi-destination trips. For instance, a person entering a train station which goes to a ticket vending machine before boarding a train falls into this category. To help us tackle these issues, VisioSafe grants us access to some of their codes such that we can see how they have solved similar problems. Besides developing an OD estimation algorithm based on tracking data, visualization of OD demand is an important part of this thesis. Furthermore, it might be interesting to investigate how the estimated OD demand compares to previous estimates based on travel surveys (Anken et al., 2012) and pedestrian count data (ASE).