Exploring specific features of Transport Interchange Hubs (TIH) design, taking into account the climatic conditions of the Russian Arctic

This paper provides a more detailed analysis of the context of designing Transport Interchange Hubs (TIHs) in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF). It uses a design framework proposed by another paper also presented in this conference by the same authors [1] to discuss how green spaces can be inte-grated to TIHs in extreme climates to enhance the qualities of different types of spaces inside terminals considering implications of these in the overall assess-ment of building performance. It also discusses, the way pedestrian flow and movement is modelled and simulated in Russia in relation to the different simula-tion techniques used in other countries (mainly the West) and what are the ad-vantages these different models offer in the assessment of design decisions for TIHs in the AZRF considering how these could potentially be integrated with parametric design tools, finishing by highlighting complexities involved in de-signing compact buildings, a necessary requirement to reduce heat losses and the impact of building footprint on the permafrost. As the AZRF is now experiencing unprecedented economic development and completely lacks transport integrated facilities (TIHs) this paper attempts to review and discuss specific features of these buildings so new developments currently planned for the Russian Arctic can be better designed and assessed mainly in relation to pedestrian flow and their integration with opportunity spaces to improve the quality of passengers’ waiting time

Engineering egress data considering pedestrians with reduced mobility

To quantify the evacuation process, evacuation practitioners use engineering egressdata describing the occupant movement characteristics. These data are typicallybased to young and fit populations. However, the movement abilities of occupantswho might be involved in evacuations are becoming more variable—with the buildingpopulations of today typically including increasing numbers of individuals: withimpairments or who are otherwise elderly or generally less mobile. Thus, there willbe an increasing proportion of building occupants with reduced ability to egress. Forsafe evacuation, there is therefore a need to provide valid engineering egress dataconsidering pedestrians with disabilities. Gwynne and Boyce recently compiled aseries of data sets related to the evacuation process to support practitioner activitiesin the chapter Engineering Data in the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering.This paper supplements these data sets by providing information on and presentingdata obtained from additional research related to the premovement and horizontalmovement of participants with physical-, cognitive-, or age-related disabilities. Theaim is to provide an overview of currently available data sets related to, and keyfactors affecting the egress performance of, mixed ability populations which could beused to guide fire safety engineering decisions in the context of building design

Enhancing Egress Drills: Preparation and Assessment of Evacuee Performance

This article explores how egress drills-specifically those related to fire incidents-are currently used, their impact on safety levels, and the insights gained from them. It is suggested that neither the merits of egress drills are well understood, nor the impact on egress performance well characterized. In addition, the manner in which they are conducted varies both between and within regulatory jurisdictions. By investigating their strengths and limitations, this article suggests opportunities for their enhancement possibly through the use of other egress models to support and expand upon the benefits provided. It is by no means suggested that drills are not important to evacuation safety-only that their inconsistent use and the interpretation of the results produced may mean we (as researchers, practitioners, regulators, and stakeholders) are not getting the maximum benefit out of this important tool