Capacity Based Evacuation with Dynamic Exit Signs

Exit paths in buildings are designed to minimise evacuation time when the building is at full capacity. We present an evacuation support system which does this regardless of the number of evacuees. The core concept is to even-out congestion in the building by diverting evacuees to less-congested paths in order to make maximal usage of all accessible routes throughout the entire evacuation process. The system issues a set of flow-optimal routes using a capacity-constrained routing algorithm which anticipates evolutions in path metrics using the concept of "future capacity reservation". In order to direct evacuees in an intuitive manner whilst implementing the routing algorithm's scheme, we use dynamic exit signs, i.e. whose pointing direction can be controlled. To make this system practical and minimise reliance on sensors during the evacuation, we use an evacuee mobility model and make several assumptions on the characteristics of the evacuee flow. We validate this concept using simulations, and show how the underpinning assumptions may limit the system's performance, especially in low-headcount evacuations

Agent-based models of social behaviour and communication in evacuations:A systematic review

Most modern agent-based evacuation models involve interactions between evacuees. However, the assumed reasons for interactions and portrayal of them may be overly simple. Research from social psychology suggests that people interact and communicate with one another when evacuating and evacuee response is impacted by the way information is communicated. Thus, we conducted a systematic review of agent-based evacuation models to identify 1) how social interactions and communication approaches between agents are simulated, and 2) what key variables related to evacuation are addressed in these models. We searched Web of Science and ScienceDirect to identify articles that simulated information exchange between agents during evacuations, and social behaviour during evacuations. From the final 70 included articles, we categorised eight types of social interaction that increased in social complexity from collision avoidance to social influence based on strength of social connections with other agents. In the 17 models which simulated communication, we categorised four ways that agents communicate information: spatially through information trails or radii around agents, via social networks and via external communication. Finally, the variables either manipulated or measured in the models were categorised into the following groups: environmental condition, personal attributes of the agents, procedure, and source of information. We discuss promising directions for agent-based evacuation models to capture the effects of communication and group dynamics on evacuee behaviour. Moreover, we demonstrate how communication and group dynamics may impact the variables commonly used in agent-based evacuation models

Agent-based models of social behaviour and communication in evacuations: A systematic review

Most modern agent-based evacuation models involve interactions between evacuees. However, the assumed reasons for interactions and portrayal of them may be overly simple. Research from social psychology suggests that people interact and communicate with one another when evacuating and evacuee response is impacted by the way information is communicated. Thus, we conducted a systematic review of agent-based evacuation models to identify 1) how social interactions and communication approaches between agents are simulated, and 2) what key variables related to evacuation are addressed in these models. We searched Web of Science and ScienceDirect to identify articles that simulated information exchange between agents during evacuations, and social behaviour during evacuations. From the final 70 included articles, we categorised eight types of social interaction that increased in social complexity from collision avoidance to social influence based on strength of social connections with other agents. In the 17 models which simulated communication, we categorised four ways that agents communicate information: spatially through information trails or radii around agents, via social networks and via external communication. Finally, the variables either manipulated or measured in the models were categorised into the following groups: environmental condition, personal attributes of the agents, procedure, and source of information. We discuss promising directions for agent-based evacuation models to capture the effects of communication and group dynamics on evacuee behaviour. Moreover, we demonstrate how communication and group dynamics may impact the variables commonly used in agent-based evacuation models.Comment: Pre-print submitted to Safety Science special issue following the 2023 Pedestrian and Evacuation Dynamics conferenc

Hazard, Risk and Resilience: Overview of Two Major Urban Areas of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is known as one of the disaster-prone countries of the world. Geographical locations of the country and climate change phenomena make the country more vulnerable to a natural disaster. Most of the urban areas of the country are also susceptible to both geological and climatic hazards. These risks and vulnerabilities have been aggravated by poverty, rapid and unplanned urbanization of the country. The two major urban areas of the country including capital city Dhaka; the largest and main port city Chittagong are experiencing natural hazards, and the inhabitants of those areas are on risk. Due to the location of these two urban areas, different types of natural hazards are faced almost every year by the dwellers. The research reviewed local and global disaster framework, and recent literature works to assess the existing resilience scenario of these two cities. Informal interview of dwellers and local government officials was also conducted on both cities. This study tries to discuss the probable significant natural hazards of the two major cities of the country. The research also presents the existing resilience scenario of these two major urban areas in consideration of the global and local disaster management framework. The study will also try to suggest some recommendations to increase and improve the resilience of these significant metropolitan areas

Assessing People´s Early Warning Response Capability to Inform Urban Planning Interventions to Reduce Vulnerability to Tsunamis : Case Study of Padang City, Indonesia

In the last decade, more emphasis is given on the human aspect of early warning or the attribute of “people-centered” early warning systems. This study seeks to better understand the specific conditions that shape people´s vulnerability in relation to their tsunami early warning response capability. The study lays emphasis on the bottlenecks within social conditions, issues of perception, and their linkages with urban evacuation spatial and infrastructure requirements. The study is based on an in-depth case study of the coastal city of Padang, Indonesia. Founded on literature study on vulnerability and early warning concepts, a conceptual study was developed. Here, vulnerability was defined as “the conditions which influence the level of exposure and capability of people to respond to the warning and conduct appropriate evacuation, and in the long term, to change those conditions and enhance their response capability”. The study is composed of three main assessment blocks: i) current spatial hotspots and bottlenecks within social conditions assessments; ii) assessment of perception issues related with on-going or planned interventions; and iii) assessment of urban planning´s role and influence on vulnerability and people´s response capability. The first assessment block consists of spatial and temporal distribution of various social groups in the exposed areas (dynamic exposure); their access to safe places; their access to warning; and their evacuation behaviour. The second assessment block examines various cognitive factors connected with objective knowledge as well as socio-psychological factors pertaining to vulnerability reduction. These are intention to evacuate (reactive action) and intention to support improvement of evacuation infrastructure and facilities (proactive action). Moreover, perceptions connected with challenges of possible relocation as well as overall tsunami preparedness are explored. The third assessment block explores the urban planning´s role and interventions linked with various response capability components. In order to assess different thematic areas, an interdisciplinary approach is required, using engineering and social behavioural sciences approaches. Therefore, the combination of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods is used. The results show that Padang´s current response capability varies according to its spatial and infrastructure setting as well as people´s socio-economic characteristics. Evacuation facilities and infrastructure were still lacking and their utilization was influenced by social conditions of the people. This implied a significant role for urban planning which needs to take into account various social groups´ specific needs while incorporating the importance of strategic risk communication within various interventions. The assessment needs to be integrated in the overall urban planning process and may provide guidance in finding the balance between long-term exposure reduction in dangerous areas and additional protection measures for mass evacuation

Ergonomists as designers: computational modelling and simulation of complex socio-technical systems

Contemporary ergonomics problems are increasing in scale, ambition, and complexity. Understanding and creating solutions for these multi-faceted, dynamic, and systemic problems challenges traditional methods. Computational modelling approaches can help address this methodological shortfall. We illustrate this potential by describing applications of computational modelling to: (1) teamworking within a multi-team engineering environment; (2) crowd behaviour in different transport terminals; and (3) performance of engineering supply chains. Our examples highlight the benefits and challenges for multi-disciplinary approaches to computational modelling, demonstrating the need for socio-technical design principles. Our experience highlights opportunities for ergonomists as designers and users of computational models, and the instrumental role that ergonomics can play in developing and enhancing complex socio-technical systems. Recognising the challenges inherent in designing computational models, we reflect on practical issues and lessons learned so that computational modelling and simulation can become a standard and valuable technique in the ergonomists’ toolkit