Pedestrian Flow Research Articles

Thermo-inspired model of self-propelled hard disk agents for heterogeneous bidirectional pedestrian flow

The aim of this work is to present a hybrid pedestrian model that describes the bidirectional walking of crowds in a corridor. The self-propelled hard disk model combines both perceptual as well as decision-making characteristics of situated agents. This model considers homogeneous and heterogeneous groups with relaxed, standard, and hurried pedestrian profiles according to their walking preferences. The situated agent perception module considers one radius in the base model, while the extended model considers three radii to improve the pedestrian evasion rules. We have explored the corresponding changes in the formation of spatial walking patterns. The findings include comparative variations in the formation of following lanes, the time-based evolution of crowds in both homogeneous and heterogeneous groups, and the transition from transient traffic jams to the appearance of segregation waves emerging from self-organization mechanisms. In this point, we propose a thermodynamics-inspired model associated with the collective behavior of pedestrians. A macroscopic ideal gas-type equation of state is established to define the dependence between volume, pressure, and temperature of pedestrian crowds in counterflow. To achieve this goal, the temperature, defined as T∼vα¯ where v is the walking speed of individual pedestrians, must possess an α parameter in the interval [1,2]. The experimental simulations include binary contact interactions and collisions of pedestrians with the corridor borders. The macroscopic description of the model inspired by thermodynamics can be complemented with the usual analysis of the fundamental diagram.

Based on Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning for Large-scale Pedestrian Trajectory Prediction

This paper describes the construction of an airport terminal simulation model using AnyLogic simulation software. It considers the advantages of hierarchical reinforcement learning and divides the complete process of pedestrian trajectories at the airport into layers. Pedestrians are treated as intelligent agents for hierarchical reinforcement learning. A large-scale pedestrian trajectory planning algorithm based on hierarchical reinforcement learning is designed to match the hotspots in the airport region simulated by pedestrian trajectories with congested areas in the terminal scene. A comparison is made with traditional multi-agent Q-learning algorithms and single-table hierarchical reinforcement learning. The results show that our algorithm can accurately identify the pedestrian flow hotspots in the actual terminal, with improved matching accuracy compared to traditional multi-agent Q-learning algorithms and single-table hierarchical reinforcement learning. The algorithm also exhibits faster convergence speed.

A multi-grid evacuation model considering the effects of different turning types

Step turning and spin turning are common for pedestrian movement around the corners, and the foot placement process and individual space occupied are different significantly for step turning and spin turning. However, traditional cellular automaton (CA) models cannot consider sufficiently the foot placement process of turning behavior for pedestrians. In order to consider the effects of different turning types, a multi-grid CA evacuation model is proposed based on the preferential direction, interaction forces and 4 floor fields. The foot placement process, human body morphology and compressibility can be considered in the model. In order to demonstrate the validity of the proposed model, unidirectional pedestrian flows in an L-shaped passage were simulated. The movement trajectories, densities, velocities and flows of pedestrians generated by the proposed model were found to be in good agreements with the experimental and observation results. The validation results of the model showed that the probability of young adults choosing the step turning strategy is 0.8 for evacuation around the corners. Compared with the traditional CA model, the proposed model can provide more accurate simulation results for pedestrian movement around the corners.

Effect of Sidewalk Design and Obstructions on Pedestrian Mobility: A Case Study of the Main Streets of Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia

Walking is the cheapest and most flexible eco‐friendly mode of transport. Streets in developing countries are poorly designed and managed, and hence, there is no space or it is inadequate for walking. This study assessed the impact of narrow sidewalk designs and obstructions on safety and accessibility of pedestrians in the main streets of Mekelle city, northern Ethiopia. It also evaluated the effects of sidewalk obstructions on pedestrian level of service (PLOS). Primary data, such as road width, sidewalk space utilization, pedestrian flow, and pedestrian speed, were collected on the study main streets. Effective sidewalk width and pedestrian unit flow rate were used to evaluate the effectiveness of existing sidewalk facilities. Moreover, static obstruction management of streets was evaluated, and a minimum sidewalk width was proposed. This study revealed that sidewalk widths for most streets in Mekelle city were found below the minimum required width for mixed use areas. Besides, the average effective sidewalk width was found to be lower than the bare minimum width of 1.2 m required for two pedestrians pass each other. As a result, some of the streets in Mekelle are operating at low PLOS (E and F). Most sidewalks were designed below the minimum standard width, and they are poorly managed forcing about 25% of pedestrians to share with motorized traffic in some streets. To improve the performance of sidewalks in the main streets of Mekelle city, the minimum sidewalk width should be 4.0 m and needs to be constructed with proper zoning. Moreover, center placement of static obstructions should be avoided in narrow sidewalks. Placement of utility poles within or at the edge of frontage zone and trees at the furniture zone improves the existing effective sidewalk width by 73%. This study underlines that urban planners and designers should give emphasis to width sufficiency of sidewalks for safe mobility of pedestrians of all groups and to accommodate other road side activities.

Patterns of Resident Activity and Their Impact on Environmental Parameters in Residential Apartments: Case Study and Implications for Design and Management

In the quest to optimize residential environments for health and sustainability, understanding the interaction between pedestrian dynamics and environmental parameters is crucial. This study delves into this intersection by conducting a detailed spatial‐temporal analysis within an apartment building. The research reveals pivotal insights about the relationship between pedestrian flow and environmental quality. Key findings reveal distinct patterns in pedestrian traffic, with two main peaks in early morning and late evening, accounting for approximately 24% of daily movement. The study identifies a pronounced preference for upward elevator use, reflecting residents’ lifestyle and floor‐level choices. Importantly, we observed variable correlations between pedestrian flow and environmental pollutants. Pollutants like PM2.5 and carbon monoxide exhibited weak correlations, while noise, TVOC, formaldehyde, and ozone showed stronger associations with human movement. The research uncovered significant spatial differences in pollutant levels across the building, with higher particulate matter and ozone levels in the seventh‐floor elevator room. The data suggest a need for tailored pollution management strategies, especially for noise and hazardous compounds like formaldehyde and ozone, which exceed safety limits in certain areas. Our findings offer critical insights for the design and management of residential environments, emphasizing the importance of considering both pedestrian flow and environmental factors in optimizing living spaces for health and efficiency.

Organizational complexity and road safety: dialectical contradiction and its behavioural interpretation

The main organizational and technical idea implemented in recent years in Russia in the field of road safety is to reduce the conflict of traffic and pedestrian flows. This is realised through the use of multiphase traffic light cycle modes. The consequence of this is a sharp increase in the duration of the traffic light cycle (up to 180-200 sec) and a decrease in the capacity of the street and road network. However, more surprisingly, it does not lead to an increase in road safety. The article presents the author’s view on the non-obvious effectiveness of such attempts to reduce the conflict of traffic and pedestrian flows and the author’s reflections on the dialectical contradiction between the organizational complexity of traffic light cycles and the behaviour of road users.

МОДЕЛИ ТРАНСПОРТНЫХ И ПЕШЕХОДНЫХ ПОТОКОВ ДЛЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИИ ИНТЕЛЛЕКТУАЛЬНОГО СВЕТОФОРНОГО ДВИЖЕНИЯ

The article defines the importance of traffic in conditions of average complexity. The objectives of the study and all its main elements and characteristics are defined. The object of the study is a section of the North-Western Expressway of Moscow, corresponding to Bolshaya Akademicheskaya Street in the Koptevo area and bounded by Mikhalkovskaya Street and the 3rd Nizhnelikhoborsky passage. As a result of the study, a transport system graph model was created that bounds the territory delimiting transport and pedestrian flows. The model takes into account points of view when flows intersect and merge. The results of the study formed the basis of a mathematical model of traffic in problem areas of restricted territory. Conclusions are drawn about the consequences of the results obtained and their use in the «smart city» system.

Automatic Identification of Human Subgroups in Time-Dependent Pedestrian Flow Networks

The study of identifying human subgroups from videos is a significant topic, which has received a lot of attention in multiple disciplines. So far, however, there has been little consideration about combining it with relevant conceptions in network science. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel method for the automatic identification of human subgroups in dynamic pedestrian flows. The spatial proximity and temporal continuity are combined to calculate the interaction intensity between pedestrians, by which a time-dependent pedestrian flow network is constructed. Based on the objective function of weighted partition density, the optimal threshold is used to determine community structures that correspond to human subgroups in frame images. Numerical experiments demonstrate that our method achieves high identification accuracy under various evaluation datasets, and exhibits better performance than existing methods in terms of different crowd densities, various numbers of subgroup members, and certain levels of trajectory noise. Furthermore, this work provides valuable implications for the understanding of subgroup behaviors and the modeling of subgroup movements.

Smart Screen Design in Public Spaces: A Case Analysis of Xiushui Square Park in Chun’an County

This paper explores the importance of outdoor smart screens in smart city development, using Xiushui Square Park in Chun’an, Zhejiang, as a case. It critiques current smart screens’ site selection, exterior design, and interface, and suggests improvements. Based on field research, the study proposes a site selection strategy considering pedestrian flow, climate, and regulations. It highlights designs that integrate local culture and interfaces to serve all ages. The findings suggest these strategies can improve smart screens’ practicality and service quality, promoting smart city sustainability. The paper aims to provide references for researchers and practitioners in smart city public space design.

Forecaster as a Simulator: Simulating Multi-directional Pedestrian Flow with Knowledge-guided Graph Neural Networks

Forecaster as a Simulator: Simulating Multi-directional Pedestrian Flow with Knowledge-guided Graph Neural Networks

Pilot study: Evaluating the feasibility of real‐time kinematic GNSS as a tool for tracking movable chairs in outdoor urban public spaces

AbstractAs urban public spaces evolve to accommodate human activities, there arises a pressing need for effective methodologies to understand public life within these environments. This pilot study assesses the accuracy of the Real‐Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System (RTK GNSS) in the Toyohashi South Side Station Square, aiming to validate its utility as a privacy‐sensitive tool for studying public life, particularly in tracking movable chairs in urban settings. The findings indicate that RTK GNSS exhibits sufficient accuracy in recording the positions of movable chairs, thus facilitating public life studies. Given the variability of GNSS accuracy across environments, we propose the Silhouette Index as a metric for evaluating GNSS suitability across different scales. A Silhouette Index exceeding 0.9 signifies highly accurate data, suitable for comprehending the spatial arrangement and utilization of movable chairs in compact urban spaces. Conversely, an index below 0.8 indicates insufficient accuracy for this purpose. Nevertheless, RTK GNSS, akin to GPS, offers diverse applications in urban research. It can aid in analyzing pedestrian flows in city centers or expansive parks, as well as elucidating spatial behavioral patterns among distinct demographic groups in large‐scale urban public spaces.

Simulation modeling as a tool for predicting pedestrian flows when planning a Moscow Metro surface station

The article substantiates the use of simulation modeling methods to organize efficient and safe passenger movement at the metro station. The list of key objects and their corresponding processes at ZIL station, a part of the Moscow Central Ring (surface line of the Moscow Metro), is determined using structural analysis methods. Based on the results obtained, the input parameters of the simulation model and the rules for realizing the processes corresponding to them were determined. Using specialized software tools, a 3D computer model has been developed that complies with the established rules and demonstrates all aspects of the subject area. Fragments of the model realizing certain scenarios of passenger movement through the station facilities are presented. The obtained model can be used to develop the concept of sustainable development of urban areas and transportation.

Simulation modeling as a means of forecasting passenger traffic at Moscow Metro transfer stations

The article substantiates the necessity of simulation modeling for passenger traffic processes at Moscow Metro stations. The study aims to develop a simulation model based on pedestrian flows to predict changes in their density and directions in the organization of the station space. The use of the method of structural analysis allowed to establish all the key objects of the studied processes and the links between them. Input parameters and process interaction rules are obtained using abstraction, synthesis, grouping, and statistical analysis techniques. Based on the results obtained, formal models of the behavior of each group of objects have been developed. A 3D twin model corresponding to the real research object was created to visualize the simulation model results and demonstrate the results of the scenario implementation. Moscow Metropolitan can use the results obtained for the operational management of flows at the stations and the modernization of their infrastructure.

Statistical Analysis and Modelling of Pedestrian Behaviour at Railway Platform

Heterogeneous pedestrian groups can affect the operational efficacy of pedestrian infrastructure. Therefore, this study analyzes the impact of gender, age, and luggage possession on ascending railway platform staircases. Statistical analysis of video data from a railway platform shows no significant speed difference between men and women. However, older individuals and those with luggage ascend significantly slower. Implementing automated staircases improved speeds by 14.5% for those with luggage and 25.3% for older individuals. These findings highlight the potential of automated staircases to enhance pedestrian flow dynamics, particularly benefiting specific demographic groups.

Prioritization of urban public transport on streets with high pedestrian volumes

The paper investigates the improvement of methods of time-based prioritization of public transport buses on city routes, taking into account pedestrian traffic indicators. A method of non-stop passing the stop-lines at signalized intersections and pedestrian crosswalks by buses in places of high generation of pedestrian traffic has been developed. A study was conducted at three signalized intersections and pedestrian crosswalks in Lviv city in places of high generation of pedestrian flows with dedicated lanes for public transport. Pedestrian speed of movement while crossing the roadway in such locations was studied, and the value of the speed of movement of 15% of the pedestrian flow, which potentially will not have time to cross the roadway during the time of the activated permissive signal, was found. The time parameters of extending the restrictive signal for traffic flows for the safe and unobstructed passage of pedestrian flows at the traffic light object are defined. The distance at which public transport should be located from the signalized facility to extend the restrictive signal to public transport, is also determined.

Street characteristics and human activities in commercial districts: A clustering-based approach application for Shenzhen

As a significant public place, the commercial area has a potential correlation between its built environment and human activities. However, the current research primarily concentrates on the internal environment of the store and customer satisfaction, while the impact of some environmental features of the outer space of the business district on visitors is seldom systematically discussed. This study takes four commercial districts in Shenzhen as examples, and the streets were categorized into five types based on street characteristics using the cluster analysis method. The relationship between each type of street and the population distribution in the region was subsequently discussed. To this end, a holistic approach was adopted, integrating multi-source urban data such as street view panorama, points of interest (POI), and street and building vectors to describe the built environment. Furthermore, the distribution of people at different times, based on location-based services (LBS) data, was combined to establish statistical models of various streets in commercial districts and evaluate the relationship between street characteristics and human activities. The results demonstrate that the relationship between population distribution and spatial characteristics is different in the five types of streets. Different types of streets have their own advantages, and human activities in the business district are often not affected by this advantage, but by other characteristics. The impact of these factors varies significantly between weekdays and weekends. By systematically categorizing street types and assessing the impact of environmental factors on pedestrian flow, this study sheds new light on the renewal and development of urban commercial districts in the future.

Design of Traffic Improvement Plan for Line 1 Baijiahu Station of Nanjing Metro

The article proposes design improvements for the current issues at Baijiahu Station, reorganizing the layout of surrounding transportation facilities to address the existing disorder. Based on an understanding of Baijiahu Metro Station, the article analyzes the regional conditions, target service users, and potential future service users. Through on-site inspections and predictions based on current pedestrian flow data and conditions, the article forecasts the future demand for various transportation modes at Baijiahu Station. Subsequently, it puts forward improvement measures and plans concerning the layout of public facilities around Baijiahu Metro Station, the integration of subway and surface transportation, and crowd organization. These proposals aim to provide feasible planning solutions for the reconstruction and future development of Baijiahu Metro Station. Finally, the article uses simulation software to compare the effects before and after the improvements. This allows the optimized plan to effectively enhance the service efficiency and quality of the metro station, facilitating the rational integration of the subway into urban transportation and thereby improving the city's public transportation capacity and service standards.

Impact of “keep left” measure on pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter riders at a crossing of a signalised junction

On a signalised crossing of a junction, large bidirectional flows of pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter (ES) riders would converge and interact with each other in a confined space over a short time interval during each signal-enabled crossing stage. Such shared space interaction has hardly been researched. We experimented with a measure that encourages pedestrians’ “keep left” behaviour while promoting channelisation between pedestrians versus cyclists/ES riders. The impact of the treatment was examined by intercept perception survey and naturalistic observations of trajectory movements via video analysis. The findings showed that pedestrians adopted better keep-left discipline after the treatment, which consequently reduced their perceived conflict levels with other oncoming traffic agents on the crossing which increased their crossing speed. Cyclists and ES riders also indicated lower conflict levels when pedestrian movements on the crossing become more predictable.

Impact of pedestrian flows on traffic delays before roundabouts

The paper examines a roundabout located in a residential district of Lviv city. The area has many attraction points, so traffic and pedestrian flow volumes are large. All approaches to the roundabout have unsignalized pedestrian crosswalks, three of which lack safety islands. Field studies were conducted on peak and off-peak periods, collecting primary indicators of traffic and pedestrian flows. Traffic flow delays were determined on the approaches to the roundabout under existing traffic conditions with the help of the PTV VISSIM software. Three options were proposed for arranging pedestrian crosswalks on approaches to the roundabout. The first option was an arrangement of safety islands on all pedestrian crosswalks. The second option was an arrangement of underground pedestrian crosswalks. The third option was the implementation of adapting traffic light control with a call button for pedestrians. Traffic simulation was carried out for all three proposed options with the finding of the delay per vehicle and the values of the average and maximum length of the queue of vehicles on the approaches to the roundabout. All three options showed better results of traffic delay than existing conditions. However, there were delays caused by the traffic flow itself. These delays are seen in the results of the simulation of option two. Traffic delays are the smallest at this option. Option one showed the highest values of traffic delays in comparison with the other two options. The advantages and disadvantages of each option for arranging pedestrian crosswalks are determined. Recommendations are given regarding the feasibility of locating various types of pedestrian crosswalks on the approaches to the roundabout. Given the research results, the best option from the view of traffic and pedestrian flows, their delays and safety is the third one.

Improving safety management in railway stations through a simulation-based digital twin approach

In the dynamic milieu of modern, bustling railway stations, the emphasis on safety and efficient pedestrian traffic management has never been more crucial, elevating the significance of Digital Twins (DTs). DTs bring transformative changes in the way we approach the design, operation, control, and maintenance of complex systems, such as transportation hubs. However, documented real-world applications are lacking, leaving scientists and practitioners without valuable insights on DT implementation. Drawing from a case study centered around a prominent Italian railway station, this paper showcases the prototype of a simulation-based DT that empowers station managers with capabilities such as pedestrian flow prediction, early congestion warnings, evacuation response planning, layout optimization, and intelligent gate management. The simulation-based DT acts as a sophisticated mirror reflecting the dynamics of a station's crowd, drawing data from its physical counterpart with a certain frequency, simulating the evolution of the system over a given time horizon, returning warning messages to the decision maker if issues are identified, and evaluating ex-ante different corrective solutions. The latter becomes crucial for controlling the physical world, providing a closed-loop system. Our case-based framework validates the effectiveness of methods and technical solutions engineered ad-hoc to achieve an acceptable tradeoff among accuracy, performance, and scalability. This includes addressing challenges related to the synchronization of the virtual and physical world, data integration and interoperability with existing systems, and human-system interaction. Ultimately, this contribution serves as a valuable resource, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and tangible applications in the realm of transportation hub management.