It is suggested that the motion of pedestrians can be described as if they would be subject to ``social forces.'' These ``forces'' are not directly exerted by the pedestrians' personal environment, but they are a measure for the internal motivations of the individuals to perform certain actions (movements). The corresponding force concept is discussed in more detail and can also be applied to the description of other behaviors. In the presented model of pedestrian behavior several force terms are essential: first, a term describing the acceleration towards the desired velocity of motion; second, terms reflecting that a pedestrian keeps a certain distance from other pedestrians and borders; and third, a term modeling attractive effects. The resulting equations of motion of nonlinearly coupled Langevin equations. Computer simulations of crowds of interacting pedestrians show that the social force model is capable of describing the self-organization of several observed collective effects of pedestrian behavior very realistically.

Social Force Model for Pedestrian Dynamics

Many computational tools for the simulation and design of emergency evacuation and egress are now available. However, due to the scarcity of human and social behavioral data, these computational tools rely on assumptions that have been found inconsistent or unrealistic. This paper presents a multi-agent based framework for simulating human and social behavior during emergency evacuation. A prototype system has been developed, which is able to demonstrate some emergent behaviors, such as competitive, queuing, and herding behaviors. For illustration, an example application of the system for safe egress design is provided.

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A multi-agent based framework for the simulation of human and social behaviors during emergency evacuations

Personal space: Where we now stand.

The movement of pedestrians is supposed to show certain regularities which can be best described by an “algorithm” for individual behavior and is easily simulated on computers. This behavior is assumed to be determined by an intended velocity, by several attractive and repulsive effects, and by fluctuations. The movement of pedestrians is dependent on decisions, which have the purpose of optimizing their behavior and can be explicitly modeled. Some interesting applications of the model to real situations are given, especially to formation of groups, behavior in queues, avoidance of collisions, and selection processes among behavioral alternatives.

Norman Ashcraft

Papers

Human territories : how we behave in space-time

People space: The making and breaking of human boundaries

Common sense in therapy : a handbook for the mental health worker