A Spatial Kinetic Model of Crowd Evacuation Dynamics with Infectious Disease Contagion.

Area of Science:

• Mathematical Modeling
• Epidemiology
• Social Dynamics

Background:

• Crowd behavior and infectious disease transmission are critical public health concerns.
• Understanding the interplay between crowd dynamics and disease spread is essential for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a kinetic theory model integrating crowd evacuation with infectious disease contagion.
• To explore the impact of population immunization and awareness on disease spread within crowds.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a kinetic theory approach to model spatial movement and interactions within crowds.
• Incorporating game theory to define interactions between healthy and infectious individuals.
• Introducing "tables of games" into general kinetic equations.

Main Results:

• Qualitative analysis of the proposed model under various scenarios.
• Case studies exploring crowding, gathering formation, and disease spread in indoor venues.
• Identification of insights for policies to mitigate contagion.

Conclusions:

• The kinetic theory framework effectively couples crowd evacuation and disease spread.
• The model provides a basis for understanding and managing public health risks in crowded environments.
• Results inform policy development for reducing contagion in indoor settings.