Simulation of spatial and temporal separation of pedestrian counter flow through a bottleneck

We propose a revised social force model to simulate the pedestrian counter flow through a bottleneck. Spatial and temporal separation rules are involved in this model so as to reproduce these self-organizing movement patterns of pedestrians, including oscillatory flow and three classes of lane formations. Moreover, by scenario simulations, we show that, by reasonably adjusting the parameters in these separation rules, the pedestrian efficiency of passing through the bottleneck can be improved. The study is helpful for designing and planning pedestrian facilities involving pedestrian counter flow through the bottleneck and for evaluating the pedestrian efficiency of passing through a bottleneck.