Link by Entity Choice

This method relies on Entities to choose which target in their itinerary to move to next.

To link by Entity Choice:

Ensure the ‘Edit <object>’ dialog is displayed.
Click on the Links tab.
Select Link by Entity Choice.
Select one of the two Entity Choice Decision Methods:
- Shortest distance – the default scheme for all origin objects except for queues. Entities will head to the target closest to them. The choice is based on the distance between the Entity's initial position in the origin object and the focal point of each of the target objects (usually, the mid-point of the Focal Segment). The calculation is subject to a distance-estimation noise term that you can specify in the ‘Model Properties’ dialog.
- Shortest queue (when linking to a Queue Group) or Fewest occupants – this choice scheme is only available when the target objects are Gates, Queues, Queue Groups, Delay Points, Waiting Zones or Focal Nodes. It only routes Entities to active objects, active being defined as follows:
  - Gates–the Gate is visible from the area where the decision is made and the Gate is open.
  - Queues–the queue is visible from the area where the decision is made and (if a queue management scheme is in place) it is open.
  - Delay Points–the capacity has not been exceeded.
  - Queue Groups, Waiting Zones and Focal Nodes are always active and available.
  At this stage, depending on the Entities in your simulation and their familiarity (or lack thereof) with the site being modelled, you should consider inputting appropriate values in steps 5 and 6 You can, however skip those steps and go to 7, if you so wish.
Enter a value for % of people consider congestion ahead.
This percentage defines the proportion of Entities that will seek to avoid excessive congestion if and when it arises. ‘Congestion avoiders’ periodically re-evaluate their choice of target and may switch to a target which is not necessarily the nearest to their original or current position.
Enter a value for % of people follow the majority.
This percentage defines the proportion of Entities that, owing to lack of familiarity, will seek to follow major flows in the hope that the ‘safety in numbers’ principle will apply and help them reach their destination. Again, by doing so, ‘followers’ may switch to a target which is not necessarily the one closest to them.
Click OK to save your changes.

Link by Entity Choice (Queue Groups)

Linking for Queue Groups is identical to that described above, with one small difference. Instead of the option ‘Fewest occupants’, the ‘Queue Group Links’ tab contains the option Shortest queue.

Link by Entity Choice (Queues)

The linking method 'Fewest Occupants’ is automatically selected when you link a Queue to a Delay Point. No other linking choices are available and you cannot change any of the parameters in the ‘Link Parameters’ dialog box. See Linking a Queue to a Delay Point .