Ever heard the phrase 'a sea of people'? A groundbreaking study has found that this common metaphor might be more scientifically accurate than previously thought.
Researchers have discovered that at high densities, crowds behave just like liquids, forming ripple-like movements that could have significant implications for event safety.
The Study: Crowds as Fluids
A Spanish research team led by Prof. Denis Bartolo observed the movements of dense crowds at the San Fermín festival in Pamplona, Spain. Over four years, they recorded thousands of festivalgoers in a 50m by 20m plaza using advanced computer-vision techniques. Their findings were striking: when crowd density surpassed six people per square meter, movements occurred in synchronized, wave-like patterns every 18 seconds - similar to ripples in water.
The researchers identified a clear threshold by treating the packed crowd as a liquid in their mathematical models. At nine people per square meter, clusters of several hundred people began shifting in harmony, not due to external pushing but as the crowd's natural, self-organising behaviour.
Implications for Event Safety
This discovery has major implications for event organisers and venue managers. Dense crowds are not just unpredictable masses of people; they follow fluid dynamics principles that can be studied and anticipated. Understanding these patterns can help improve crowd management strategies and minimise the risks associated with overcrowding, such as crushing and stampedes.
The team contrasted their findings with footage from the 2010 Duisburg Love Parade tragedy in Germany, where 21 people died and hundreds were injured due to an uncontrolled crowd surge. The same 18-second oscillations were observed in that disaster, reinforcing the idea that extreme crowd density naturally leads to rhythmic waves of movement. Recognising these patterns in real-time could help security teams take preemptive measures to prevent dangerous situations.
As this research continues, event planners will have more data-driven insights to create safer environments. With festivals, concerts, and sporting events drawing ever-larger crowds, leveraging scientific findings like these can be a game-changer in preventing crowd-related disasters.
Source: Photo: iStockPhoto
