Self-Organized Pedestrian Crowd Dynamics: Experiments, Simulations, and Design Solutions

Abstract

T o test simulation models of pedestrian flows, we have performed experiments for corridors, bottleneck areas, and intersections. Our evaluations of video recordings show that the geometric boundary conditions are not only relevant for the capacity of the elements of pedestrian facilities, they also influence the time gap distribution of pedestrians, indicating the existence of self-organization phenomena. After calibration of suitable models, these findings can be used to improve design elements of pedestrian facilities and egress routes. It turns out that "obstacles" can stabilize flow patterns and make them more fluid. Moreover, intersecting flows can be optimized, utilizing the phenomenon of "stripe formation." We also suggest increasing diameters of egress routes in stadia, theaters, and lecture halls to avoid long waiting times for people in the back, and shock waves due to impatience in cases of emergency evacuation. Moreover, zigzag-shaped geometries and columns can reduce the pressure in panicking crowds. The proposed design solutions are expected to increase the efficiency and safety of train stations, airport terminals, stadia, theaters, public buildings, and mass events in the future. As application examples we mention the evacuation of passenger ships and the simulation of pilgrim streams on the Jamarat bridge. Adaptive escape guidance systems, optimal way systems, and simulations of urban pedestrian flows are addressed as well.

Reducing Bidirectional Pedestrian Conflict Based on Lane Formation Phenomenon in Subway Corridors

“…Due to the complex condition such as low ceilings and uncontrollable traffic volume at the subway station, it is extremely difficult and unsafe to take and analyse the video footage directly. The pedestrian experiment as an effective approach in analysing pedestrian walking behaviour has been introduced in this study [19][20][21]. The basic procedures of a pedestrian experiment are as follows: a similar setting to real-world conditions based on the research objectives is set up; walking pedestrians are videotaped; the video footages are used for deriving macroscopic and microscopic characteristics.…”

“…3) Steady lane phase. The pedestrians would walk in the separate lanes, which may have been formed after the initial conflict [20,31]. The followers are prone to follow the predecessors in the lane.…”

“…As introduced by Helbing [20], the walking pedestrian self-organization is created by individuals' constant attempt to improve their situation. In the context of bidirectional walking, the self-origination refers to the phenomenon that pedestrians tend to follow the same directional flow and thereby multiple lanes are formed in the process [16,30].…”

“…Although the process of lane formation is an important phenomenon, attracting considerable attention, it has been only qualitatively studied in the past. For example, Helbing et al [20] found that the lane forming process was dynamic; the hierarchical position and layers would change. In this study, the lane process was quantitatively analysed with the parameters extracted from the pedestrian experiments.…”

“…the fidelity, is unfeasible because of the complex conditions, such as low ceilings, uncontrollable traffic volume, and multiple mixed pedestrian flows. This study used an alternative approach, conducting experiments to simulate a real situation in rail station [19][20], to analyse pedestrian behaviours. After lane formation was recognized in bidirectional flow [4,8,20], literature qualitatively explored the process of lane formation including conflict, following effect [39] and evasive effect [41,42].…”