With the advancement of sensing technology and the spread of IoT, it has become easier to handle data on building environments and human vital information. Sensing data from IoT devices is used for information visualization, analysis, and simulation, and the concept of digital twins*1 has recently been attracting attention. Takenaka Corporation performs the complex measurement, analysis, and visualization of human flow data, such as the behavior and attributes of people inside and outside buildings. By combining the acquired human flow data with the BIM data used in the design and construction of buildings, we can quantitatively evaluate the movement of people in a target building, identify problems in the space and propose improvements.

• 1 Digital Twin refers to sending information from real space (Physical) to virtual space (Digital) in real time, and to reproduce the environment there to allow monitoring, remote control, simulation, etc. which can be fed back to the real space.

Purpose of “human flow”

Since 2015, we have been measuring, analyzing, and visualizing "human flow" in various environments using multiple sensing technologies, focusing on human flow such as the movement and retention of people. To date, we have measured and analyzed human flow in various locations, including offices, commercial facilities, train stations, production facilities, outdoor plazas, and educational facilities, analyzing layouts and flow lines, and verifying the effects of events.
Accordingly, it is necessary in urban planning to understand and predict the flow of people using buildings and towns, and to promote behavioral change, thereby adding value to the entire space.

Measurement of “human flow”

For human flow measurements, we offer the best method from multiple options such as LiDAR*2, Beacon*3, and Wi-Fi based on the characteristics of the sensing device (the type and accuracy of information that can be acquired), cost, sensing period and workability.

• 2 LiDAR is an abbreviation for light detection and ranging, a technology that measures the position and shape of an object using a laser beam.
• 3 Beacon refers to a device that transmits BLE or Wi-Fi radio waves, and can measure the location using radio wave strength.

Visualizing “human flow”

Our human flow visualization service offers two types of applications.

1. Web dashboard (2D)
   You can check sensed human flow data in real time from a web browser, and it provides simple analysis graphs analyzed from coordinate information and time series information.
2. Human flow visualization application (3D)
   Avatars generated from human flow data are placed on the shape information retrieved from BIM to reproduce an environment similar to that of a real building in a virtual space.

Analysis and simulation from building shape

The analysis and simulation service uses two types of simulation methods to analyze and assess building use.

1. Using building design data and agent behavior models, we can calculate the flow of people in a virtual space and simulate how the building is used.
2. We can analyze the “congestion level,” “area flow in and out,” and “flow rate in main flow lines” using the analysis and simulation of human flow data. We use statistical methods to derive the trends in human flow in a target building and simulate how the building will be used based on the human flow data and analysis results.

Case Study

Approaches to “human flow” in the Namba Station social experiment

The “Osaka Namba Station Plaza Social Experiment” was conducted in November 2016. An area normally used as a road was opened to pedestrians as a “temporary plaza” for three days to measure human behavior.
By analyzing the flow of more than 30,000 visitors per day, the impact on the surrounding area of changing the area from a cab square to a café and event space for leisure was measured.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Initiatives for “human flow” at stations

In this verification experiment, the level of congestion and retention was analyzed at each time of day at a station, and the traffic flow to an adjacent station building and bus terminal was visualized.
By measuring the flow of people inside and outside the ticket gates, the congestion times and the main flow lines to the station building adjacent to the ticket gates were analyzed. We also visualized changes in the number of people waiting for trains inside and outside the ticket gates when there was a suspension of operations.

Use of digital twin application at Takenaka Research & Development Institute

A digital twin application that enables the visualization of environmental data and the remote control of equipment on a game engine was used at the Takenaka Research & Development Institute. Using the BIM data for design and the IoT data acquired from BiruKomi*4 imported into the application, and linking them with game AI behavioral simulations, layout and space usage could be evaluated during design.

• 4　BiruKomi: A building convenience platform that employs open communication standards for the efficient use of building equipment systems and IoT data, enabling not only the collection and storage of data but also remote building control