Pedestrian Cross Flow Characteristics and Performance

Abstract

Pedestrian cross flows are common in major activity centers and in special event transportation systems, such as universities, bus stations, art galleries, museums, and places of entertainment. Cross flows of pedestrians are also common in corridors and nearthe exits of buildings. Crowding and shuffling of people in a fire emergency is a well-known phenomenon. This article examines the characteristics and performance of pedestrian cross flow in corridors, passageways, and hallways. In particular, the behavior of pedestrian cross flows in building corridors is studied using time-lapse photography, and the results are compared with those derived from theoretical gap and collision analysis. A design criterion for facilities where pedestrian cross flows occur is developed based on the experimental data gathered from films and the theoretical analysis.

Analysis of Commuter Flow Behaviour on Stairways at Metropolitan Transit Station in Mumbai, India

“…Macroscopic studies have identified three important variables as speed, f low, and density that could describe pedestrian flow characteristics on pedestrian facilities. A considerable number of researches on macroscopic pedestrian studies (Khisty, 1985;Lam et al, 1995;Laxman et al, 2010;Liu et al, 2008;Smith, 1995;Tanaboriboon et al, 1986;Sarkar and Janardhan, 1997) have been carried out to evaluate site-and region-specific pedestrian traffic f low characteristics. Among others, Navin and Wheeler (1969) suggest that the average walking speed of pedestrian is affected by many attributes, however for the purpose of a capacity analysis only density need be considered.…”

Pedestrian Behaviour in Sydney

“…Where concern has been with the planning of the facilities to be provided in pedestrian areas, the temptation has always been to rely on the generalizations about behaviour made by such bodies as the Transportation Research Board (1980). The main forays into the actual observation of behaviour tend to have been restricted to micrescale issues such as those concerned with the egress of people from mapr venues, particularly with a view to evacuation in emergency situations (see Khisty 1985).…”

Alcohol with an attitude: Reducing aggression in drinking establishments through interior design

“…So how does a sense of crowding arise if the drinking establishment is meeting density capacity requirements? Khisty (1985) explains that excessive crowding occurs in certain locations because designs are determined generally by building codes rather than with respect to pedestrian traffic demand. The same building codes that are intended to increase patron safety can also be a causal factor.…”