Investigating Output Accuracy for a Discrete Event Simulation Model and an Agent Based Simulation Model

TL;DR

This study compares the output accuracy of Discrete Event Simulation and Agent Based Simulation models in representing human reactive behavior in a retail environment, validating both against real system performance.

Contribution

It provides an empirical comparison of DES and ABS models' accuracy in modeling human reactive behavior in retail settings.

Findings

Both models accurately represented the real system.

No significant difference in accuracy between DES and ABS.

Both models are suitable for modeling human reactive behavior.

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate output accuracy for a Discrete Event Simulation (DES) model and Agent Based Simulation (ABS) model. The purpose of this investigation is to find out which of these simulation techniques is the best one for modelling human reactive behaviour in the retail sector. In order to study the output accuracy in both models, we have carried out a validation experiment in which we compared the results from our simulation models to the performance of a real system. Our experiment was carried out using a large UK department store as a case study. We had to determine an efficient implementation of management policy in the store's fitting room using DES and ABS. Overall, we have found that both simulation models were a good representation of the real system when modelling human reactive behaviour.