M.E.T.R.O.: A Gaming Simulation. Report on Phase I.

This document dates from 1966 and is thought to be primarily useful in allowing the reader to trace the evolution of this model from its earlier stages to completion. M.E.T.R.O. is a gaming simulation which uses techniques of war gaming as a tool for coping with current and anticipated urban problems. At this stage in its conception, M.E.T.R.O. was designed to have 16 or 17 players, plus a staff of six to 10 more people (composed of team advisors, a judge, and technical personnel). Each player belonged to two types of teams: 1) a team representing a central city, suburb, or urbanizing township, and 2) a team representing particular important urban roles that discuss metropolis-wide policies (politicians, planners, school people, and land developers). It was part of M.E.T.R.O.'s intention to illustrate typical interaction patterns and joint-problem solving among urban decision-makers. In such dual roles, a player would be subject to contradictory pressures, depending on the teams he was on. The rules and techniques of the simulation, which used a computer, are described here. Extensive documentation on the later stages of M.E.T.R.O. is available through the Environmental Simulation Laboratory at the University of Michigan. (JK)