Momentum Transport Consultancy and Mima have today launched a new design methodology combining pedestrian modelling outputs with VR technology.
The new methodology will enable architects and designers to experience and feel designs from the user perspective, as part of a 3D environment – supporting them in creating designs which more effectively meet the needs of end users.
VR technology allows the designed environment to be experienced through an external avatar, being part of the environment, or one of the participants of the pedestrian simulation, and experience the design or the space through the simulated entities.
Specific pedestrian and people movement challenges supported by the methodology include:
Signage and wayfinding: identifying suitable locations for signs and assessing their visibility from the eye level of users in an operational environment.
Queue management: better understanding queues, evaluating queue design and assessing the queue management process.
Space utilisation and level of service: an enhanced understanding of service level standards experienced within sites during normal and emergency situations.
Kabil Kaliyamoorthi, associate director at Momentum Transport Consultancy said: “The new methodology that we have created with Mima provides architects and clients with a truly holistic view of their design and – crucially – a feel for how it will be used from multiple perspectives.
“Put simply it allows architects and designers to test their designs within a pedestrian simulation from the point of view of users, and to make design changes which suit the space utilisation pattern and level of service preferences. We anticipate the methodology will be used across multiple designs, sectors and developments, for example to experience major events and large crowds from the point of view of an event day steward who may need to manage crowd flow. By placing your viewpoint in several locations it is possible to optimise the positioning of your operating, security, commercial and event day teams to ensure maximum visibility and tactical locations; allowing them to effectively respond to crowding issues, safety concerns, wayfinding and emergency scenarios.
Phil Nutley, Head of Experience Design at Mima said: “The ability to be able to make technology more accessible and more human is fundamental in co-creating new experiences. By immersing a broader range of people in these technologies, with the industry knowledge and expertise, we can challenge the approach to the design and delivery of services and experiences, across many sectors.”
Notes to editor
Video and images of the new methodology are available on request.
About Momentum
Momentum is a leading integrated, people-first transport consultancy. Founded in 2012 the company creates transport strategies and solutions that inform, integrate with and are integral to every aspect of the built environment today and for the future. Focusing on the emerging, universal and critical issues facing development Momentum works with clients to address the multi-faceted challenges of the industry and to create forward-looking solutions.
The company’s three core areas of specialism in planning, insight & analytics and engineering are bound together by a shared vision to improve the environments we live, work and play in. The company works in markets including commercial, cultural and heritage, education, major events, masterplanning, public realm, residential, retail and stadia and venues.
Momentum was the winner of the CIHT ‘Team of the Year’ 2021 award.
About Mima
Mima is a human-centred design agency with over 40 years of experience within the fields of human factors, human behavior and user-centred design. We deliver end-to-end experiences across digital and physical products and spaces. Our knowledge and experience is cross-sector from transport and travel, cultural and heritage, hospitality, wellbeing and healthcare. We enjoy the parallels between all of these areas.
Press contact
Sarah Pryor, Head of Marketing
t: +44 (0)20 7242 0228
e: sarah.pryor@momentum-transport.com
w: https://www.momentum-transport.com