Critical Discussion of 'Synchronized Flow', Simulation of Pedestrian Evacuation, and Optimization of Production Processes

摘要

We critically discuss the concept of ``synchronized flow'' from a historical,empirical, and theoretical perspective. Problems related to the measurement ofvehicle data are highlighted, and questionable interpretations are identified.Moreover, we propose a quantitative and consistent theory of the empiricalfindings based on a phase diagram of congested traffic states, which isuniversal for all conventional traffic models having the same instabilitydiagram and a fundamental diagram. New empirical and simulation data supportingthis approach are presented as well. We also give a short overview of thevarious phenomena observed in panicking pedestrian crowds relevant from thepoint of evacuation of buildings, ships, and stadia. Some of these can beapplied to the optimization of production processes, e.g. the``slower-is-faster effect''.