Urban Emissions Modeling using the Metropolis Multi-Agent Framework: The Case of Riyadh City

F Belaid, L Yaseen, A De Palma and Moez Kilani

No 2026-07, Thema Working Papers from THEMA (Théorie Economique, Modélisation et Applications), CY Cergy-Paris University, ESSEC and CNRS

Abstract: Urban mobility-related emissions are a growing concern in rapidly expanding cities, driving the need for robust methods to assess and mitigate their environmental impact. Here, we focus on developing a multi-agent model to estimate emissions in Riyadh city as the primary case study. Specifically, this study employs the dynamic traffic simulator, METROPOLIS2, to examine mobility-related emissions and their environmental impact. The framework integrates a cleaned road network, an origin–destination matrix for 162 zones with node– zone assignment, and a simplified metro layer. The model is calibrated to reproduce observed congestion patterns and verified through day-to-day dynamics—convergence in departure/arrival times, route reallocation under congestion, and distance–emissions comovement under a homogeneous fleet. We report generalized cost and emissions indicators at the trip and network levels. The contribution is methodological: a transparent, reproducible baseline for Riyadh that enables credible scenario evaluation.

Keywords: Air pollution, Emission reduction strategies, Multi-agent simulation, Environmental impact, Policy interventions; Smart mobility solutions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C63 D61 R41 R48 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-tre
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ema:worpap:2026-07

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