Jamming transitions induced by an attraction in pedestrian flow

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Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
School of Engineering | A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
Date
2017
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
022319/1-14
Series
Volume 96, Issue 2, Physical Review E
Abstract
We numerically study jamming transitions in pedestrian flow interacting with an attraction, mostly based on the social force model for pedestrians who can join the attraction. We formulate the joining probability as a function of social influence from others, reflecting that individual choice behavior is likely influenced by others. By controlling pedestrian influx and the social influence parameter, we identify various pedestrian flow patterns. For the bidirectional flow scenario, we observe a transition from the free flow phase to the freezing phase, in which oppositely walking pedestrians reach a complete stop and block each other. On the other hand, a different transition behavior appears in the unidirectional flow scenario, i.e., from the free flow phase to the localized jam phase and then to the extended jam phase. It is also observed that the extended jam phase can end up in freezing phenomena with a certain probability when pedestrian flux is high with strong social influence. This study highlights that attractive interactions between pedestrians and an attraction can trigger jamming transitions by increasing the number of conflicts among pedestrians near the attraction. In order to avoid excessive pedestrian jams, we suggest suppressing the number of conflicts under a certain level by moderating pedestrian influx especially when the social influence is strong.
Description
Keywords
pedestrian, attraction, jamming
Other note
Citation
Kwak, Jaeyoung & Jo, Hang-Hyun & Luttinen, Tapio & Kosonen, Iisakki. 2017. Jamming transitions induced by an attraction in pedestrian flow. Physical Review E. Volume 96, Issue 2. 022319/1-14. ISSN 2470-0045. DOI: 10.1103/physreve.96.022319.