Route choice in pedestrian evacuation under conditions of good and zero visibility: Experimental and simulation results

The route choice of pedestrians during evacuation under conditions of both good and zero visibility is investigated using a group of experiments conducted in a classroom, and a microscopic pedestrian model with discrete space representation. Observation of the video recordings made during the experiments reveals several typical forms of behavior related to preference for destination, effect of capacity, interaction between pedestrians, following behavior and evacuation efficiency. Based on these forms of behavior, a microscopic pedestrian model with discrete space representation is developed. In the model, two algorithms are proposed to describe the movement of pedestrians to a destination under conditions of both good and zero visibility, respectively. Through numerical simulations, the ability of the model to reproduce the behavior observed in the experiments is verified. The study is helpful for devising evacuation schemes and in the design of internal layouts and exit arrangements in buildings that are similar to the classroom.

[1]  Hongyong Yuan,et al.  Small-grid analysis of discrete model for evacuation from a hall , 2007 .

[2]  T. Nagatani,et al.  Statistical characteristics of evacuation without visibility in random walk model , 2004 .

[3]  Dirk Hartmann,et al.  Adaptive pedestrian dynamics based on geodesics , 2010 .

[4]  Hui Zhao,et al.  Reserve capacity and exit choosing in pedestrian evacuation dynamics , 2010 .

[5]  Andreas Schadschneider,et al.  Simulation of evacuation processes using a bionics-inspired cellular automaton model for pedestrian dynamics , 2002 .

[6]  T. Nagatani,et al.  Effect of exit configuration on evacuation of a room without visibility , 2004 .

[7]  Weiguo Song,et al.  Experiment and multi-grid modeling of evacuation from a classroom , 2008 .

[8]  A. Schadschneider,et al.  Simulation of pedestrian dynamics using a two dimensional cellular automaton , 2001 .

[9]  Chi-Wang Shu,et al.  Revisiting Hughes’ dynamic continuum model for pedestrian flow and the development of an efficient solution algorithm , 2009 .

[10]  Takamasa Iryo,et al.  Microscopic pedestrian simulation model combined with a tactical model for route choice behaviour , 2010 .

[11]  Serge P. Hoogendoorn,et al.  Pedestrian route-choice and activity scheduling theory and models , 2004 .

[12]  Serge P. Hoogendoorn,et al.  Simulation of pedestrian flows by optimal control and differential games , 2003 .

[13]  Yang Lizhong,et al.  The effects of exit position and internal layout of classroom on evacuation efficiency , 2010 .

[14]  Hai-Jun Huang,et al.  Route choice in pedestrian evacuation: formulated using a potential field , 2011 .

[15]  Hai-Jun Huang,et al.  Static floor field and exit choice for pedestrian evacuation in rooms with internal obstacles and multiple exits. , 2008, Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics.

[16]  Won-Hwa Hong,et al.  Evacuation performance of individuals in different visibility conditions , 2011 .

[17]  D. Helbing,et al.  Lattice gas simulation of experimentally studied evacuation dynamics. , 2003, Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics.

[18]  Shaobo Liu,et al.  Evacuation from a classroom considering the occupant density around exits , 2009 .

[19]  Tobias Kretz,et al.  Pedestrian traffic: on the quickest path , 2009, ArXiv.

[20]  Hai-Jun Huang,et al.  A modified floor field cellular automata model for pedestrian evacuation simulation , 2008 .

[21]  R. Alizadeh,et al.  A dynamic cellular automaton model for evacuation process with obstacles , 2011 .

[22]  Dirk Helbing,et al.  Experiment, theory, and simulation of the evacuation of a room without visibility. , 2004, Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics.

[23]  Guo Ren-Yong,et al.  Logit-based exit choice model of evacuation in rooms with internal obstacles and multiple exits , 2010 .

[24]  Shing Chung Josh Wong,et al.  Collection, spillback, and dissipation in pedestrian evacuation: A network-based method , 2011 .

[25]  A. Schadschneider,et al.  Discretization effects and the influence of walking speed in cellular automata models for pedestrian dynamics , 2004 .

[26]  José Rogan,et al.  Cellular automaton model for evacuation process with obstacles , 2007 .

[27]  Dirk Helbing,et al.  Simulating dynamical features of escape panic , 2000, Nature.

[28]  Shing Chung Josh Wong,et al.  An efficient discontinuous Galerkin method on triangular meshes for a pedestrian flow model , 2008 .

[29]  Siuming Lo,et al.  A game theory based exit selection model for evacuation , 2006 .

[30]  Chi-Wang Shu,et al.  Dynamic continuum pedestrian flow model with memory effect. , 2009, Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics.