Modeling evacuation dynamics on stairs by an extended optimal steps model

Abstract With more and more high-rise building springing into the cities, the movement of pedestrians on stairs is of great importance for the evacuation of these facilities; the topic of human performance on stairs has attracted a lot of researcher to study. However, there is still a lack of analysis of specific situations, such as mid-landing and merging behaviors. In this paper we employ a modified version of the Optimal Steps Model, modified by taking block-based floor field into consideration under open boundary conditions, to reproduce movement at mid-landing and study performance of occupants in stairwell. Movements on this kind of stairs are simulated and studied with the help of extended model: achieved results are in accord with previous research in respect of specific flow and fundamental diagram. Lane formations on stairs come into being before mid-landing area through simulations. Furthermore most people reach at the mid-landing by the outside stairs at higher density due to more space and less force from other agents, which is induced that outside of the stairs is good for evacuation. At last the model is implemented to study the effect of stairs geometry on merging behaviors, and it is found when corridor is connected to the landing opposite to the incoming stairs, this structure is biased in favor of occupants from stairs. The work in this paper is intended to better understand movement during stair evacuations and develop a technical foundation for codes and standards requirements as well as egress modeling techniques.