Social distancing and the future of pedestrian dynamics

Abstract: Many countries have introduced social distancing rules during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to reduce spreading of the virus in public spaces. This has inspired research on pedestrian dynamics in more ways than just one. Many studies have been performed, not only to determine the effectiveness of such measures, but also in order to understand its effects on crowd dynamics in general. In this Perspective article, we reflect on the insights derived from these investigations and their relevance for future advancements in the field of pedestrian dynamics. This includes impacts on safety regulations and the potential for new theoretical and experimental approaches which may hold relevance even beyond applied restrictions.