Modeling of obstacle avoidance by a dense crowd as a Mean-Field Game

Abstract

In this paper we use a minimal model based on Mean-Field Games (a mathematical framework apt to describe situations where a large number of agents compete strategically) to simulate the scenario where a static dense human crowd is crossed by a cylindrical intruder. After a brief explanation of the mathematics behind it, we compare our model directly against the empirical data collected during a controlled experiment replicating the aforementioned situation. We then summarize the features that make the model adhere so well to the experiment and clarify the anticipation time in this framework.

arXiv comment8 pages, 4 figures. Submitted to Collective Dynamics as proceedings of the Traffic and Granular Flow (TGF) conference held in 2022 at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (India)