Human Walking Behavior—the Effect of Pedestrian Flow and Personal Space Invasion on Walking Speed and Direction

Abstract

Humans have a natural desire to keep a certain spatial distance to other humans, called personal space (Hall, 1966). If personal space is invaded without consent physiological reactions such as increased heart rate, sweating, and increased blood pressure are triggered (Middlemist et al., 1976). Using a newly developed system called CCB Analyser the walking pa!erns of pedestrians in an Austrian shopping center were recorded. Data included number of people, average speed, speed changes, direction changes, and two different measures for personal space, one being personal space in circles around stationary #ames and the other being personal space for pedestrians integrating the paths ahead. Results show that people walk faster when personal space is invaded, and walking speed and direction are changed to a higher degree at high pedestrian flow. These results show how crowded situations require behavioral changes and offer an important insight into the relationship of human walking behavior and personal space.