How to design agent-based simulation models using agent learning

The question of what is the best way to develop an agent-based simulation model becomes more important as this paradigm is more and more used. Clearly, general model development processes can be used, but these do not solve the major problems of actually deciding about the agents' structure and behavior. In this contribution we introduce the MABLe methodology for analyzing and designing agent simulation models that relies on adaptive agents, where the agent helps the modeler by proposing a suitable behavior program. We test our methodology in a pedestrian evacuation scenario. Results demonstrate the agents can learn and report back to the modeler a behavior that is interestingly better than a hand-made model.