Dynamic potential

Dynamic potential is a route-based method used to compute the current preferred direction of movement of pedestrians. In this context, pedestrians take the quickest path to reach their destination or intermediate destination, i.e. the path with the estimated minimum travel time and not the shortest path. The path with shortest distance would be taken by pedestrians if the static potential function is selected and not the dynamic potential function.

If the latter is selected for a destination or an intermediate destination, pedestrians will try to take the route they currently believe is the quickest. Pedestrians want to move in the direction that involves the shortest walking time to the next destination or intermediate destination according to a heuristic mathematical method.