Discretization effects and the influence of walking speed in cellular automata models for pedestrian dynamics

Abstract

Abstract. We study discretisation effects in cellular automata models for pedestrian dynamics by reducing the cell size. Then a particle occupies more than one cell which leads to subtle effects in the dynamics, e.g. non-local conflict situations. Results from computer simulations of the floor field model are compared with empirical findings. Furthermore the influence of increasing the maximal walking speed v max is investigated by increasing the interaction range beyond nearest neighbour interactions. The extension of the model to v max > 1 turns out to be a severe challenge which can be solved in different ways. Four major variants are discussed that take into account different dynamical aspects. The variation of v max has strong influence on the shape of the flow-density relation. We show that walking speeds v max > 1 lead to results which are in very good agreement with empirical data.

Cellular automaton model for evacuation process with obstacles

“…This is not true in general, and could be addressed by reducing cell size. However, results are expected to be qualitatively correct [25]. Also, chairs have been ignored in Fig.…”

Universal flow-density relation of single-file bicycle, pedestrian and car motion

“…The main feature of this model is volume exclusion. Also models for pedestrian dynamics [23][24][25] show that these transport characteristics could be reproduced by an appropriate consideration of a velocity dependent volume exclusion, which seems a universal characteristics of such systems. From this we conclude that other properties of the agent, like acceleration or inertia are less relevant for the structure of the flow-density relation in single-file traffic systems of different agent types.…”

Models for Crowd Movement and Egress Simulation

“…It was obtained by averaging over several results for walk-and passageways. Such a curve is especially useful for model calibration [21]: The same curve can be obtained by simulating a long and narrow hallway for all accessible densities (0 to ρ max , where ρ max is the maximum density the model allows) [18,23]. !…”

“…• Time scale (decision making or reaction time) 6 For the case of grid-based models, theses issues have been investigated by varying cell size and walking speed in [18].…”