Corridorpatronen

Corridorpatronen is a term used mainly in Dutch-language literature to describe the recurring spatial and temporal patterns observed in pedestrian flow within corridors and similar confined passages. It covers how people organize movement, form lanes, experience stop-and-go waves, and how density and corridor geometry influence routes and speeds.

The concept draws on crowd dynamics and architectural engineering, combining empirical observation with simulation to predict how changes in width, obstacle placement, visibility, and signage affect flow. Corridorpatronen are relevant for both everyday use and safety planning in crowded environments, such as transit stations, campuses, offices, and public venues.

Common corridorpatronen include unidirectional flow, bidirectional lanes with self-organized counterflow, queueing near entrances or bottlenecks, density-driven jams at doorways, and looping or circular patterns near intersections or merging segments. These patterns emerge from the interaction between individual movement decisions and boundary conditions, and they can shift with changes in density, lighting, and wayfinding cues.

Measurement and modeling of corridorpatronen rely on empirical data from video analysis, sensor counts, and manual observations, complemented by simulations using models such as the social force framework or cellular automata. Metrics of interest include lane formation, average speed, flow rate, and density, which help quantify the efficiency and safety of a corridor configuration.

Applications of corridorpatronen knowledge inform architectural and urban design guidelines, evacuation planning, crowd management strategies, and the placement of signage and barriers to optimize capacity and safety while maintaining comfort for occupants.