Mean Field Theory for Pedestrian Outflow through an Exit

TL;DR

This paper develops a mean field theory for pedestrian outflow through an exit, incorporating realistic behaviors and analyzing factors like door width, walls, and pedestrian mood to optimize flow.

Contribution

It extends the floor field model with realistic pedestrian behaviors and derives a theoretical expression for average pedestrian flow using numerical and cluster analysis.

Findings

Exit door width, walls, and pedestrian mood significantly affect flow.

Optimal exit width and position depend on pedestrian cooperation or competition.

Theoretical model matches simulation results for pedestrian outflow.

Abstract

An average pedestrian flow through an exit is one of the most important index in evaluating pedestrian dynamics. In order to study the flow in detail, the floor field model, which is a crowd model by using cellular automaton, is extended by taking into account a realistic behavior of pedestrians around the exit. The model is studied by both numerical simulations and cluster analysis to obtain a theoretical expression of an average pedestrian flow through the exit. It is found quantitatively that the effect of exit door width, a wall, and pedestrian's mood of competition or cooperation significantly influence the average flow. The results show that there is suitable width of the exit and position according to pedestrian's mood.