From microscopic social force models to macroscopic continuum models for pedestrian flow

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Yang, Liangze, Yu, Hui, Du, Jie
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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_version_ 1866917220578230272
author Yang, Liangze
Yu, Hui
Du, Jie
author_facet Yang, Liangze
Yu, Hui
Du, Jie
contents The pedestrian flow is one of the most complex systems, involving large populations of interacting agents. Models at microscopic and macroscopic scales offer different advantages for studying related problems. In general, microscopic models can describe interaction forces at the individual level. Macroscopic models, on the other hand, provide analytical insights into global interactions and long-term overall dynamics, along with efficient numerical simulations and predictions. However, the relationship between models at different scales has rarely been explored. In this study, based on the original microscopic social force model with a reactive optimal route choice strategy, we first derive kinetic equations at the mesoscopic level. By varying the interaction force in different scenarios, we then derive several continuum models at the macroscopic level. Finally, numerical examples are given to evaluate the behaviors of the social force model and our continuum models.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_17304
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle From microscopic social force models to macroscopic continuum models for pedestrian flow
Yang, Liangze
Yu, Hui
Du, Jie
Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems
Analysis of PDEs
Physics and Society
35K20, 35Q70, 35Q91, 91C20, 92B05, 92D25
The pedestrian flow is one of the most complex systems, involving large populations of interacting agents. Models at microscopic and macroscopic scales offer different advantages for studying related problems. In general, microscopic models can describe interaction forces at the individual level. Macroscopic models, on the other hand, provide analytical insights into global interactions and long-term overall dynamics, along with efficient numerical simulations and predictions. However, the relationship between models at different scales has rarely been explored. In this study, based on the original microscopic social force model with a reactive optimal route choice strategy, we first derive kinetic equations at the mesoscopic level. By varying the interaction force in different scenarios, we then derive several continuum models at the macroscopic level. Finally, numerical examples are given to evaluate the behaviors of the social force model and our continuum models.
title From microscopic social force models to macroscopic continuum models for pedestrian flow
topic Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems
Analysis of PDEs
Physics and Society
35K20, 35Q70, 35Q91, 91C20, 92B05, 92D25
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.17304