Pedestrian Modelling and Simulation
Pedestrian modelling simulates how people move through a built environment across all project stages, from planning and design through to construction and operations. At SALT, we treat pedestrian modelling as a crucial decision-making tool rather than a compliance exercise, testing design, safety, and operations against evidence instead of assumption. Our work spans rail stations, airports, stadiums, hospitals, campuses and mixed-use precincts across Australia and overseas.
What is pedestrian modelling?
Pedestrian modelling simulates and analyses movement of people through a space, evaluating flow rates, walking speeds, crowd densities, queue lengths, and clearance times against global benchmarks such as Fruin Level of Service (LoS). Far beyond heat maps and 3D visualisation, it provides essential data to evaluate spatial designs, wayfinding, and operations in a robust, scientific manner.
We treat pedestrian analysis as engineering: every output directly informs a design decision, a capital or operational cost, or a critical safety requirement.
Pedestrian modelling techniques we use
We apply a comprehensive range of modelling techniques tailored to project requirements:
Static first-principles modelling
Delivers rapid, capacity and demand-based assessments for early-stage spatial planning, options testing, and baseline capacity validation.
Dynamic microsimulation modelling
Utilises industry-standard software, including LEGION and MassMotion, for performance-based analysis of complex environments, crowd dynamics, interchange movements, and egress scenarios.
Pedestrian egress and evacuation modelling
Egress modelling tests how quickly and safely people can leave a building or precinct under emergency conditions. We model evacuation scenarios alongside fire engineering strategies, comparing Required Safe Egress Time (RSET) against Available Safe Egress Time (ASET), and identifying the stairs, doors, and refuge areas that govern the result.
This work supports performance-based fire safety strategies and regulatory approvals under local and international standards, including the National Construction Code (NCC) and NFPA. Integrating egress modelling early in the design process prevents costly structural modifications late in project delivery.
Where pedestrian modelling adds value
Through strategic use of pedestrian modelling, we deliver measurable value across every phase of a project:
- Business Case and Feasibility: Quantify improvements to connectivity, pedestrian flow and congestion relief to support capital investment decisions and economic cases.
- Risk Mitigation: Identify potential bottlenecks and safety risks early in the design phase to prevent costly downstream project delivery impacts.
- Design and Wayfinding Optimisation: Right-size facility footprints and test signage and wayfinding with visual and quantitative simulations, reducing construction cost while improving user experience. This pairs closely with master planning work.
- Operations and Construction Staging: Maintain operational safety and continuity during temporary works, special events and degraded operating conditions, feeding directly into traffic management plans.
- Emergency Egress and Life Safety: Model evacuation and fire safety scenarios to support performance-based compliance and regulatory review.
- Commercial and Retail Optimisation: Maximise revenue from retail and advertising opportunities through detailed footfall and crowd movement analysis.
Why choose SALT for pedestrian simulation?
Rather than simply generating heat maps or applying rigid, traffic-oriented methodologies, we recognise that pedestrians operate in a unique context different from vehicles and adopt a pragmatic, outcomes-oriented approach to our modelling.
Our differentiated approach is grounded in core tenets:
- Actionable Decision-Making: We translate complex modelling output into clear advice and recommendations that planners, designers and operators can act on.
- Movement and Place Alignment: Beyond raw throughput, we evaluate how people interact with built space, so the result is safe, comfortable and easy to navigate.
- Holistic Systems Thinking: We bridge the gap between complex engineering analysis and practical project outcomes by considering technical requirements alongside social, cultural, and operational factors.
- Integrated Expertise: Specialist pedestrian simulation capability sits inside SALT’s wider traffic engineering and transport team, so pedestrian, vehicle and traffic modelling questions are answered together rather than in separate silos.
Pedestrian modelling project experience
Our specialist team has delivered pedestrian modelling for major, city-shaping infrastructure across Australia and internationally.
Rail and stations
Sydney Metro, Cross River Rail, Level Crossing Removal Project, BART Silicon Valley Extension, Amtrak Emergency Management, Singapore MRT Eastern Region Line.
Aviation
Melbourne Airport T2 Redevelopment, Brisbane International Airport Expansion, Sydney Airport Taxi Rank.
Leisure and major events
National Gallery of Victoria Contemporary, Questacon, Armstrong Creek Sports Centre, New Yankee Stadium.
Buildings and precincts
Deakin University RISE Precinct, Santa Sophia Catholic College, Chifley Tower Development, Easing Sydney’s Congestion.
What our clients say
Your team has been fundamental to the successful delivery of a challenging project in a live operational airport environment… creating a project delivered ahead of schedule and under budget.
Project Leader, Laing O’Rourke (Brisbane International Airport Expansion)
The detail was excellent and exceeded requirements and expectations relative to the final product of the models. Heads and tails above any other competition.
Chief Capital Programs, Amtrak Police Department (Amtrak Emergency Management)
Pass on to the guys producing the report my thanks for the clarity of the report. It seems rare to read an engineering-based document that is so clear in guidance, outcomes and direction.
Project Manager, Roads and Maritime Services (Easing Sydney’s Congestion)
Pedestrian modelling FAQs
What software do you use for pedestrian modelling?
We use industry-standard software including LEGION and MassMotion for agent-based microsimulation, alongside first-principles static modelling where dynamic simulation is not required. The software is chosen to suit the project requirements and the approval pathway, not the other way around.
What is the difference between static and microsimulation pedestrian modelling?
Static first-principles modelling calculates spatial capacity and baseline requirements from established flow standards such as Fruin LoS, making it ideal for rapid early assessments. Microsimulation tracks individual agents over time, capturing dynamic queuing, crowd interactions, and time-dependent congestion effects that static calculations cannot represent.
Is pedestrian modelling the same as traffic modelling?
No. Traffic modelling analyses vehicles on a road network, using intersection capacity and network assignment methods. Pedestrian modelling analyses people on foot, accounting for multidirectional crowd dynamics, complex spatial behaviour, and managed routing under normal and emergency conditions. SALT is experienced in both.
When should pedestrian modelling start on a project?
As early as the strategic planning and business case stage to quantify and assess the pedestrian benefit of infrastructure investment. Initial static analysis establishes spatial parameters for high-level space-proofing and options testing, while introducing microsimulation early in design allows modelling findings to actively inform spatial layouts before documentation locks.
Can pedestrian modelling be used for evacuation and fire safety approvals?
Yes. Evacuation and egress simulation is regularly used to support performance-based fire safety strategies. We work with fire engineers so the pedestrian model and the fire strategy use consistent assumptions and the outputs stand up to review.
Talk to our pedestrian modelling team
If your project depends on people moving through it safely and efficiently, we can model it and tell you what the numbers mean. Contact SALT to discuss your project, or send an enquiry using the form below.