https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211019120112.htm

In Physics of Fluids, by AIP Publishing, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University examine the dynamics of social distancing practices through the lens of particle-based flow simulations. The study models social distance as the distance at which particles, representing pedestrians, repel fellow particles.

"Even at modest pedestrian density levels, a strong preference for 6 feet of social distance can cause large-scale pedestrian 'traffic jams' that take a long time to clear up," said Gerald J. Wang, of Carnegie Mellon University. "This is pretty evident to all of us who have engaged in that 'awkward dance of social distance' in a grocery store aisle during the past 18 months, but it has important implications for how we set occupancy thresholds as workplaces, campuses, and entertainment venues return to pre-pandemic densities."