Abstract
In this work we present a simple routing model capable of capturing pedestrians path choices in the presence of a herding effect. The model is tested and validated against data from a large scale tracking campaign which we have conducted during the GLOW 2019 festival. The choice between alternative paths is modeled as an individual cost minimization procedure, with the cost function being associated to the (estimated) traveling time. In order to trigger herding effects the cost function is supplemented with a penalty term, modulated as a function of the fraction of pedestrians walking along each route. The model is shown to provide an accurate quantitative description of the decision process.
Highlights
Deepening our understanding of pedestrians choice processes and their macroscale reflections has immediate societal impact, for example in helping to increase safety and comfort in relation to urban design and planning of small and large scale events [1, 2].Several studies [3,4,5,6] have shown that pedestrian routing choices can be modeled in terms of suitable utility functions that individuals attempt to maximize
While several models are being proposed, a quantitative understanding of pedestrian dynamics is often limited by the lack of large datasets that could allow for testing and calibration purposes
In this work we have presented a simple routing model in which pedestrians select the path associated to the estimated minimal traveling time
Summary
Deepening our understanding of pedestrians choice processes and their macroscale reflections has immediate societal impact, for example in helping to increase safety and comfort in relation to urban design and planning of small and large scale events [1, 2]. Several studies [3,4,5,6] have shown that pedestrian routing choices can be modeled in terms of suitable utility (cost) functions that individuals attempt to maximize (minimize). A few other examples of parameters entering such utility functions, which have been shown to be relevant in pedestrian routing processes, are path directness, perceived comfort, and even esthetic aspects [6, 7]. We propose a simple model in which choices of single individuals are evaluated as a cost minimization process in which pedestrians aim at minimizing their perceived traveling time, which is in turn modulated by a penalty factor, function of the local density/occupancy of the different paths.
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