A Computer Simulation Game of the Locational Decision Process

A method of representing the locational-decision processes of home and workplace for a household as a game has been developed on a microcomputer. A ten-year period is represented, and each year rail fares, house values and incomes rise by a different amount. The player is able to request information on the houses and jobs available, and can then make decisions to meet a pre-defined objective and to avoid bankruptcy and, if desired, to accumulate capital or savings. On some occasions the player is forced to find a new job because of redundancy or a new home because of demolition. Furthermore, each year a proportion of savings is spent on furnishings and house repairs. These events of redundancy and house demolition, as well as the fares, income and house values are all generated by the computer using stochastic functions.

The game is being used to increase understanding of the processes at work as the cost of travel increases and to demonstrate the complexities of the decisions. Extension of the methodology into simulation of the transport and location interaction orocess is discussed.