Walking behavior of pedestrians when using elevators

Pedestrians use area-based walking behavior that in turn is based on a social force model and walkable construction elements (Modeling area-based walking behavior), (Pedestrian simulation).

Walking behavior of pedestrians when entering an elevator cab

Pedestrians enter the cab as soon as the door opens and the pedestrians wanting to continue their route on this level have exited the cab. When the elevator capacity has been reached, pedestrians stop entering the cab and wait in the waiting area for the next elevator of the elevator group or until the elevator stops again (Elevator attributes).

When entering the cab, pedestrians use the walking behavior specified in the area behavior type for the area from which they enter the elevator.

Walking behavior of pedestrians in an elevator cab

In reality, persons in elevators are willing to accept less space than in other situations where more space is available. In an elevator cab, pedestrians exhibit the walking behavior Area behavior type (in the cab) (AreaBehavTypInCab) of the elevator group to which the elevator belongs. The default walking behavior in this scenario is Elevator (In Cab).

Walking behavior of pedestrians when exiting an elevator cab

Pedestrians exit the elevator as soon as it reaches the floor on which they want to continue with their route and the door opens. If pedestrians cannot alight, e.g. because there are too many pedestrians standing in front of the door or because the door closes too soon, the elevator continues to operate. The stop request for the same floor still exists and the elevator services this floor again as per the control request.

When exiting an elevator, pedestrians exhibit the walking behavior Area behavior type (alighting) (AreaBehavTypAlight) of the elevator group to which the elevator belongs. The default walking behavior in this case is Elevator (Alighting).

The pedestrians that are not alighting (because they do not have to continue with their route) leave enough space in front of the door for other pedestrians to exit the cab and continue with their route on the respective floor. The doors exercise a “repellent force” on those pedestrians using the walking behavior Elevator (in the cab). This “repellent force” is not exercised on pedestrians with the walking behavior Elevator (Alighting).