Heterogeneous Speed Profiles in Discrete Models for Pedestrian Simulation

Discrete pedestrian simulation models are viable alternatives to particle based approaches based on a continuous spatial representation. The effects of discretisation, however, also imply some difficulties in modelling certain phenomena that can be observed in reality. This paper focuses on the possibility to manage heterogeneity in the walking speed of the simulated population of pedestrians by modifying an existing multi-agent model extending the floor field approach. Whereas some discrete models allow pedestrians (or cars, when applied to traffic modelling) to move more than a single cell per time step, the present work proposes a maximum speed of one cell per step, but the authors model lower speeds by having pedestrians yielding their movement in some turns. Different classes of pedestrians are associated to different desired walking speeds and we define a stochastic mechanism ensuring that they maintain an average speed close to this threshold. In the paper the authors formally describe the model and they show the results of its application in benchmark scenarios. Finally, the authors also show how this approach can also support the definition of slopes and stairs as elements reducing the walking speed of pedestrians climbing them in a simulated scenario.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AHB45 Traffic Flow Theory and Characteristics.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Bandini, Stefania
  • Crociani, Luca
  • Vizzar, Giuseppe
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC
  • Date: 2014-1-12 to 2014-1-16
• Date: 2014

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 19p
• Monograph Title: TRB 93rd Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer models; Discrete systems; Multi-agent systems; Pedestrian flow; Simulation; Slopes; Speed; Stairs; Walking
• Uncontrolled Terms: Heterogeneity (Pedestrians); Speed profiles
• Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01515196
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 14-2702
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 21 2014 3:18PM