Post-Tsunami Evacuation Simulation Using 3D Kinematic Digital Human Models and Experimental Verification

A post-tsunami evacuation simulation using 3D kinematic digital human models (KDHs) and its experimental verification are addressed in the present study. Methods for carrying or assisting (transporting) injured people were experimentally investigated and the results were used for KDH data calibration to increase the accuracy of the simulations. It was found that, on flat ground, both the transit speed and the amount of time spent on intermittent rests were strongly affected by the load on the transporters. During ascent of stairways, the transit speed depended on the type of carry method being used, and decreased in the order saddleback carry, two-person arm carry and slightly injured walking. Several KDH evacuee motion primitives were developed for stairway ascent to a tsunami evacuation tower. The simulation results show that the evacuation time was affected by the number of evacuees and the congestion due to the transportation of injured people. The developed simulation techniques can be effectively utilized in the planning of tsunami tower evacuation and predicting related crowd behavior.Copyright © 2013 by ASME