An interpretative model of the pedestrian fundamental relation

The relation between density and velocity of pedestrian movement has so far mainly been analysed using an empirical approach and fundamental relations found from the fitting of experimental measurements of the main quantities. The present study proposes a phenomenological model that is able to distinguish and take into account various factors that can affect the density–velocity relation by means of the induced microscopic walking phenomena. In particular, the effect of the lateral vibrations of the platform on which pedestrians walk is considered in the light of the use of the fundamental diagrams within a crowd–structure interaction model applied to lively footbridges. A comparison with some of the empirical fundamental laws shows an excellent agreement, demonstrating that the main walking phenomena are correctly assumed in the present model.