@article{ref1,
title="Agent-based simulation of pedestrian dynamics for exposure time estimation in epidemic risk assessment",
journal="Journal of public health (Heidelberg)",
year="2021",
author="Harweg, Thomas and Bachmann, Daniel and Weichert, Frank",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="PURPOSE: With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic spreading across the world, protective measures for containing the virus are essential, especially as long as no vaccine or effective treatment is available. One important measure is the so-called physical distancing or social distancing. <br><br>METHODS: In this paper, we propose an agent-based numerical simulation of pedestrian dynamics in order to assess the behavior of pedestrians in public places in the context of contact transmission of infectious diseases like COVID-19, and to gather insights about exposure times and the overall effectiveness of distancing measures. <br><br>RESULTS: To abide by the minimum distance of 1.5 m stipulated by the German government at an infection rate of 2%, our simulation results suggest that a density of one person per 16m(2) or below is sufficient. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study give insight into how physical distancing as a protective measure can be carried out more efficiently to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0943-1853",
doi="10.1007/s10389-021-01489-y",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10389-021-01489-y"
}