Implementing an Agent-based Model with a Spatial Visual Display in Discrete-event Simulation Software

Andrew Greasley, Chris Owen

2015

Abstract

There has been an increasing interest in the use of agent-based simulation and some discussion of the relative merits of this approach as compared to discrete-event simulation. There are differing views on whether an agent-based simulation offers capabilities that discrete-event cannot provide or whether all agent-based applications can at least in theory be undertaken using a discrete-event approach. This paper presents a simple agent-based NetLogo model and corresponding discrete-event versions implemented in the widely used ARENA software. The two versions of the discrete-event model presented use a traditional process flow approach normally adopted in discrete-event simulation software and also an agent-based approach to the model build. In addition a real-time spatial visual display facility is provided using a spreadsheet platform controlled by VBA code embedded within the ARENA model. Initial findings from this investigation are that discrete-event simulation can indeed be used to implement agent-based models and with suitable integration elements such as VBA provide the spatial displays associated with agent-based software.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Greasley A. and Owen C. (2015). Implementing an Agent-based Model with a Spatial Visual Display in Discrete-event Simulation Software . In Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications - Volume 1: SIMULTECH, ISBN 978-989-758-120-5, pages 125-129. DOI: 10.5220/0005531601250129

in Bibtex Style

@conference{simultech15,
author={Andrew Greasley and Chris Owen},
title={Implementing an Agent-based Model with a Spatial Visual Display in Discrete-event Simulation Software},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications - Volume 1: SIMULTECH,},
year={2015},
pages={125-129},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0005531601250129},
isbn={978-989-758-120-5},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF
JO - Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications - Volume 1: SIMULTECH,
TI - Implementing an Agent-based Model with a Spatial Visual Display in Discrete-event Simulation Software
SN - 978-989-758-120-5
AU - Greasley A.
AU - Owen C.
PY - 2015
SP - 125
EP - 129
DO - 10.5220/0005531601250129