Title: Jamming transitions induced by an attraction in pedestrian flow,
Abstract: We numerically study jamming transitions in pedestrian flow interacting with
an attraction, mostly based on the social force model for pedestrians who can
join the attraction. We formulate the joining probability as a function of
social influence from others, reflecting that individual choice behavior is
likely influenced by others. By controlling pedestrian influx and the social
influence parameter, we identify various pedestrian flow patterns. For the
bidirectional flow scenario, we observe a transition from the free flow phase
to the freezing phase, in which oppositely walking pedestrians reach a complete
stop and block each other. On the other hand, a different transition behavior
appears in the unidirectional flow scenario, i.e., from the free flow phase to
the localized jam phase and then to the extended jam phase. It is also observed
that the extended jam phase can end up in freezing phenomena with a certain
probability when pedestrian flux is high with strong social influence. This
study highlights that attractive interactions between pedestrians and an
attraction can trigger jamming transitions by increasing the number of
conflicts among pedestrians near the attraction. In order to avoid excessive
pedestrian jams, we suggest suppressing the number of conflicts under a certain
level by moderating pedestrian influx especially when the social influence is
strong.