Opinion Formation and Propagation Induced by Pedestrian Flow

Abstract

In this paper, we extend a rule on two-way and four-way traffic to study the formation and propagation of opinions in virtue of the mobility of pedestrian. The results show that formation and propagation of opinion is generated by occurrence of phase transition. Collective behavior of pedestrians is in favor of opinion formation and propagation. When pedestrian density and initial density of opinion are below their critical value, there is no formation of the consistent opinion. Even though pedestrian traffic has congested, if initial density of opinion is below its critical value, it is very difficult to give rise to consensus, else, it must undergo great fluctuation to generate a stable opinion.