They don't have to be followed in every possible instance, but they provide good guidance about what is expected when you see another person, and helps massively reduce the amount of situations where people pass each other going opposite directions. There's obviously no need to respect the arrows if you are grabbing something and going the "wrong way" doesn't put you in close contact with somebody else. By all means jump around lanes.
And yes, wait for the person to move on, don't squeeze past them, that's the whole point.
I have no data but it seems like something that would be helpful.
And yes, wait for the person to move on, don't squeeze past them, that's the whole point.
I have no data but it seems like something that would be helpful.