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Pandemic Simulator: An Agent-Based Framework with Human Behavior Modeling for Pandemic-Impact Assessment to Build Sustainable Communities

Author

Listed:
  • Harshana Weligampola

    (Elmore Family School of Electical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA)

  • Lakshitha Ramanayake

    (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka)

  • Yasiru Ranasinghe

    (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA)

  • Gayanthi Ilangarathna

    (Department of Geography, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA)

  • Neranjan Senarath

    (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka)

  • Bhagya Samarakoon

    (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka)

  • Roshan Godaliyadda

    (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka)

  • Vijitha Herath

    (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka)

  • Parakrama Ekanayake

    (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka)

  • Janaka Ekanayake

    (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka)

  • Muthucumaru Maheswaran

    (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada)

  • Sandya Theminimulle

    (Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, Dartford DA2 8DA, UK)

  • Anuruddhika Rathnayake

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka)

  • Samath Dharmaratne

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka)

  • Mallika Pinnawala

    (Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka)

  • Sakunthala Yatigammana

    (Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka)

  • Ganga Tilakaratne

    (Institute of Policy Studies, Colombo 00700, Sri Lanka)

Abstract

It is crucial to immediately curb the spread of a disease once an outbreak is identified in a pandemic. An agent-based simulator will enable policymakers to evaluate the effectiveness of different hypothetical strategies and policies with a higher level of granularity. This will allow them to identify vulnerabilities and asses the threat level more effectively, which in turn can be used to build resilience within the community against a pandemic. This study proposes a PanDemic SIMulator (PDSIM), which is capable of modeling complex environments while simulating realistic human motion patterns. The ability of the PDSIM to track the infection propagation patterns, contact paths, places visited, characteristics of people, vaccination, and testing information of the population allows the user to check the efficacy of different containment strategies and testing protocols. The results obtained based on the case studies of COVID-19 are used to validate the proposed model. However, they are highly extendable to all pandemics in general, enabling robust planning for more sustainable communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Harshana Weligampola & Lakshitha Ramanayake & Yasiru Ranasinghe & Gayanthi Ilangarathna & Neranjan Senarath & Bhagya Samarakoon & Roshan Godaliyadda & Vijitha Herath & Parakrama Ekanayake & Janaka Eka, 2023. "Pandemic Simulator: An Agent-Based Framework with Human Behavior Modeling for Pandemic-Impact Assessment to Build Sustainable Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-26, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:14:p:11120-:d:1195704
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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