Complexities of Simulating a Hybrid Agent-Landscape Model Using Multi-Formalism Composability

Abstract:

Hybrid agent-landscape models are used as an environment in which to study humans, the environment, and their dynamics. To provide flexibility in model design, expressiveness, and modification, the environment models and human agent models should be developed independently. While retaining each model’s individuality, the models can be composed to create a model of a complex, hybrid agent-landscape system. This should allow for a much more in-depth analysis of each model independently, as well as a study of their interactions. To create such a modeling environment requires a look beyond a simple interface between two models. It may require that the models’ formalisms be composed, their execution be synchronized, their architectures be integrated, and a common visualization be created to provide a whole-system data view during simulation. This paper discusses the complexities of such an undertaking.