Introduction
“In this project, students are introduced to computer-based simulation through the development of a program that simulates a viral epidemic. They are challenged to enhance the model to improve its ability to simulate a real-world system and then they will use that model (and a series of simulations) to analyze how the model parameters affect system behavior.” - Dr. Drew
For my epidemic model, I wanted to see how people could be affected by a semi-airborne infection (sneezing). I also wanted to see how it would affect a group of people that is in a certain sized room. I wanted to see how quickly a certain number of people can be infected in a certain sized room.
For my epidemic model, I wanted to see how people could be affected by a semi-airborne infection (sneezing). I also wanted to see how it would affect a group of people that is in a certain sized room. I wanted to see how quickly a certain number of people can be infected in a certain sized room.
Simulation Description
In my epidemic simulation, there are two main types of breeds: people and infected.. The people run around normally while the infected infect via ranged sneeze attacks. When a infect attack touches a people breed, they turn into an infected.
There are also many variables that can change the outcome of the simulation. The main variable is called the square area which sets the lengths of the square that the people and the infected were in. With this variable, you can increase or decrease it in order to “increase or decrease” the map (though it just increases or decreases the size of the players). The next variable is people, which set the total number of people when the simulation starts. Finally, the last variable is infection rate, which slightly sets the rate at which an infected can infect (sneeze). However, for my final experiments, I will leave this variable alone.
In order to run the simulation, first you need to set the three variables. Next, you click the button called setup. If you reset any of variables, you will need to click setup again in order for it to apply the variables. Then, you need to press “Run” to start the simulator. Finally, press “Start Infection” to spawn an infected in the center of the map. You can start the infection at anytime during the sim. You can even have it spawn before you run the epidemic.
There are also many variables that can change the outcome of the simulation. The main variable is called the square area which sets the lengths of the square that the people and the infected were in. With this variable, you can increase or decrease it in order to “increase or decrease” the map (though it just increases or decreases the size of the players). The next variable is people, which set the total number of people when the simulation starts. Finally, the last variable is infection rate, which slightly sets the rate at which an infected can infect (sneeze). However, for my final experiments, I will leave this variable alone.
In order to run the simulation, first you need to set the three variables. Next, you click the button called setup. If you reset any of variables, you will need to click setup again in order for it to apply the variables. Then, you need to press “Run” to start the simulator. Finally, press “Start Infection” to spawn an infected in the center of the map. You can start the infection at anytime during the sim. You can even have it spawn before you run the epidemic.
Experiment Description
For my experiment, I wanted to see how long it would take a group of people in an enclosed space to be infected by an projectile-like attack. I also wanted to see if there was pattern between the tests. I will have six tests. These tests will be listed in a box below. I also wanted to know how big of a change it was to expand that area.
Results
From my results, I have concluded that the minimum time for everyone to be infected is around 33 to 34 seconds. This is most likely because all of the agents are placed between 25 units of the middle of the map. The maximum time was 195 seconds because the group of people had the most area to move around.
Conclusions
My original program was supposed to include doctors to heal the infected, a way for the infected to die after a certain amount of time, and a way for the infected to actually get immune. There were also different buildings where the infected could go to be healed and the non-infected could go to get immunity. However, I wasn’t able to complete all of these before the end of the project and it ended up being something that was very complex for the timeframe. This experiment, however, was inspired by how many people were getting sick at my school with the same illness during an amount of time. I felt that by using the code I already had to complete these experiments, it was easier to finish the project.