Study on Numerical Solution of Footpath Alignments by a Simultaneous Equation Model for Unrestricted Walking

Abstract

This study intends to develop a method of numerical calculation for footpath alignments which conform with the behaviour of unrestricted walking. For this purpose, an attempt was made first to derive a geometrical simulation model of circular curve from the estimates of pedestrian movement patterns between two given points; and then this geometric model was converted into a form of equation no.4. Thereafter, some computer programs were prepared to solve simultaneous equations consisting of Eq. 4 and the human-scalecurvature equation no. 1 which was reported earlier by the auther. These simultaneous equations were then tested with a set of predetermined data. As a result of the comparison of the outputs derived through running the programs under various conditions, it appears that the program has been developed as a prototype model being capable to provide numerical values, the accuracy of which correspond to that of the surveying-instruments used for setting an actual curve.