Abstract
The choice of the exit to egress from a facility plays a fundamental role in pedestrian modelling and simulation. Yet, empirical evidence for backing up simulation is scarce. In this contribution, we present three new groups of experiments that we conducted in different geometries. We varied parameters such as the width of the doors, the initial location and number of pedestrians which in turn affected their perception of the environment. We extracted and analysed relevant indicators such as distance to the exits and density levels. The results put in evidence the fact that pedestrians use time-dependent information to optimize their exit choice, and that, in congested states, a load balancing over the exits occurs. We propose a minimal modelling approach that covers those situations, especially the cases where the geometry does not show a symmetrical configuration. Most of the models try to achieve the load balancing by simulating the system and solving optimization problems. We show statistically and by simulation that a linear model based on the distance to the exits and the density levels around the exit can be an efficient dynamical alternative.
Highlights
Humans are confronted on a daily basis with a route choice problematic
The exit choice model solely based on the distance is Choice of exit with minimal di, while the exit choice model based on the distance and the density is Choice of exit with minimal di + ρi
Some simulations are performed to compare the exit choice model solely based on the distance to the exits, and the model based on the distance and the density level around the exits
Summary
Humans are confronted on a daily basis with a route choice problematic. It happens at large scales such as choosing a different highway to reach a destination or at smaller scales such as picking the right queue at the vending machines or choosing between the right and the left exit when going out of a shopping mall. The route choice is based on subjective attributes such as the familiarity with the location or the experience gathered under similar conditions. 16 pedestrian laboratory experiments addressing standard issues in pedestrians’ exit choice are presented. The results show that load balancing occurs Such a feature appears in all the experiments we carried out. It confirms that, in a normal situation, the pedestrians choose dynamically the exit in order to minimize their travel times. A minimal model based on the distance to the exits and on the density level in the vicinity of the exits is calibrated and analysed. The models for the exit choice and their calibration are described in the fourth section. The last section summarizes the content of the article and provides concluding remarks
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