Separation of pedestrian counter flows with an array of obstacles

In the present paper, we investigate pedestrian counter flows in a straight corridor by means of a molecular dynamics approach with the social force model. We demonstrate that the flow rate of two groups of people walking in the opposite directions is improved by means of an array of geometrically asymmetric obstacles, as a result of flow separations. That is, the obstacles separate groups of pedestrians walking in the opposite directions so that they spontaneously keep to their right or left. In addition, we show that even geometrically symmetric obstacles possess the same ability to induce the self-organization of pedestrian flow if the interaction force between the people and the obstacles is asymmetric. The appropriately designed geometry or interaction force is fully capable of controlling the filtering direction. The present results potentially provide a guideline for industrial design to improve daily human mobility.