Still, G. Keith (2000) Crowd dynamics. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

Crowd dynamics are complex. This thesis examines the nature of the crowd
and its dynamics with specific reference to the issues of crowd safety. A model
(Legion) was developed that simulates the crowd as an emergent phenomenon using
simulated annealing and mobile cellular automata. We outline the elements of that
model based on the interaction of four parameters: Objective, Motility, Constraint
and Assimilation. The model treats every entity as an individual and it can simulate
how people read and react to their environment in a variety of conditions. Which
allows the user to study a wide range of crowd dynamics in different geometries and
highlights the interactions of the crowd with their environment. We demonstrate that
the model runs in polynomial time and can be used to assess the limits of crowd
safety during normal and emergency egress.
Over the last 10 years there have been many incidents of crowd related
disasters. We highlight deficiencies in the existing guidelines relating to crowds. We
compare and contrast the model with the safety guidelines and highlight specific
areas where the guides may be improved. We demonstrate that the model is capable
of reproducing these dynamics without additional parameters, satisfying Occam's
Razor. The model is tested against known crowd dynamics from field studies,
including Wembley Stadium, Balham Station and the Hong Kong Jockey club. We
propose an alternative approach to assessing the dynamics of the crowd through the
use of the simulation and analysis of least effort behaviour. Finally we test the
model in a variety of applications where crowd related incidents warrant structural
alterations at client sites. We demonstrate that the model explains the variance in a
variety of field measurements, that it is robust and that it can be applied to future
designs where safety and crowd comfort are criteria for design and cost savings.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Crowds -- Mathematical models
Official Date:	July 2000
Dates:	Date Event July 2000 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Mathematics Institute
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Stewart, Ian, 1945-
Extent:	xiv, 264 leaves
Language:	eng

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