Factors affecting Pedestrian Flow
With reference to the Highway Capacity Manual 2000, here are the 5 major factors affecting the pedestrian flow, hence affecting the congestion problem.
Road design: In places like Hong Kong, road design is usually having a higher priority on vehicles than pedestrians. In addition, as due to the physical nature of Hong Kong, many streets are only providing little space for pedestrians. With this little amount of space and the occupying of space by barriers, the effective width is below the acceptance level, hence intensifying the pedestrian level.
Pedestrian density: With a higher density, which means the street is filled with more people, the speed of pedestrians will eventually decrease, and this will in turn increase the density of people. Similar as the argument in the first factor, the increase in Q value suggests a more serious congestion problem.
Health condition of pedestrians: Similar to the factor of “age of pedestrians”, people with disabilities are generally moving slower and occupying more street space. With the same formula Q = UK, similar argument is made as the factor of “age of pedestrians”, where the increase in Q value shows that the congestion level has increased.
Age of pedestrians: In this case, it is assumed that the elderlies are generally moving slower than younger pedestrians. If the street is filled with more elderlies, the average speed of pedestrians would decrease, thus increasing the pedestrian density in a given area. As Q = UK, if the rate of increase of K is greater than the rate of decrease of U, Q value increases, thus intensifying the congestion problem.
Barriers: Barriers, like road signs, bus stops or lamp posts, constitute space on street. They reduce the effective width on street with different degree of impacts. With reference to the formula Q = Maximum flow in 15mins/ 15 x Ew, as the effective width decreases, the Q value increases, posing a more serious congestion situation.