Using Unity3D as an Elevator Simulation Tool

Simulations are used for finding answers to what-if scenarios prior to making decisions. Discrete event simulation (DES) tools are usually used for industrial processes. However, these tools require the creators of the simulation model to have highly specialized knowledge and they only rarely provide easily understandable graphic representations of the modelled situation. An elevator simulation model was created using an unusual approach: the simulation model was developed in Unity3D, an IDE intended for making computer games. The model was evaluated in terms of the accuracy of the results and of the suitability of using such a tool for creating an elevator simulation with a sequence dispatcher. The paper includes validation results and discusses the advantages, disadvantages and limits of such an approach. Although a DES tool would be better for the elevator itself, separate details of the simulation can be much more easily modelled in Unity3D. It can take into account 3D space (as opposed to 1D, which is usual for DESs), for example for finding probable paths of persons, calculating volumes or finding the right door opening times.