Journal Article/Contribution to a conference proceedings

FZJ-2026-04745

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Inhomogeneities in dense crowds: a case study on active and passive pedestrians

Küpper, M. (Corresponding author)FZJ* ; Adrian, J. (Corresponding author)FZJ*

2026
Czech Technical University Prague

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.14311/APP.2026.57.0209

Abstract: Until now in bottleneck experiments crowds with homogeneous instructions and therewith equal motivation levels were studied. In this article, we use data with four different motivation levels. We consider these crowds homogeneous, as all participants got the same instructions. In one inhomogeneous experiment 20 % of the participants were secretly given the instruction to move extra slow. We investigate how the presence of both active and passive participants influences the dynamics within the crowd and compare the results to those of a homogeneous crowd. Our analysis shows that inhomogeneities can have a significant influence on the results. In density profiles slow participants create distinct regions of lower density and cause a wider spread of waiting times. The flow through the bottleneck in the inhomogeneous run is even lower than for the lowest motivation. Headway analysis highlights how passive participants create free spaces which active participants can use for their advantage.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Zivile Sicherheitsforschung (IAS-7)

Research Program(s):

1. 5111 - Domain-Specific Simulation & Data Life Cycle Labs (SDLs) and Research Groups (POF4-511) (POF4-511)
2. CrowdDNA - TECHNOLOGIES FOR COMPUTER-ASSISTED CROWD MANAGEMENT (899739) (899739)
3. Verbundprojekt: Crowd-Management in Verkehrsinfrastrukturen (CroMa) - Teilvorhaben: Experimentelle Untersuchungen zum Fußverkehr und Crowd-Management (13N14533) (13N14533)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; ; ; DOAJ Seal ; Ebsco Academic Search

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