Engineering › Ocean Engineering

Evacuation and Crowd Dynamics

Works Count: 41329

Wikipedia

Description

This cluster of papers focuses on modeling pedestrian dynamics, crowd behavior, and emergency evacuations using techniques such as cellular automaton, social force model, and agent-based modeling. It explores various aspects of pedestrian movement, evacuation decision-making, and crowd simulations in both normal and emergency situations.

Keywords

Pedestrian Dynamics; Evacuation; Crowd Behavior; Simulation; Cellular Automaton; Social Force Model; Emergency Evacuation; Agent-Based Modeling; Human Behavior; Crowd Simulation

Microscopic Traffic Flow Simulator VISSIM

2010-01-01

Martin Fellendorf , Peter Vortisch

Simulating dynamical features of escape panic

2000-09-01

Dirk Helbing , Illés J. Farkas , Tamás Vicsek

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Crowds by Example

2007-09-01

Alon Lerner , Yiorgos Chrysanthou , Dani Lischinski

Abstract We present an example‐based crowd simulation technique. Most crowd simulation techniques assume that the behavior exhibited by each person in the crowd can be defined by a restricted set … Abstract We present an example‐based crowd simulation technique. Most crowd simulation techniques assume that the behavior exhibited by each person in the crowd can be defined by a restricted set of rules. This assumption limits the behavioral complexity of the simulated agents. By learning from real‐world examples, our autonomous agents display complex natural behaviors that are often missing in crowd simulations. Examples are created from tracked video segments of real pedestrian crowds. During a simulation, autonomous agents search for examples that closely match the situation that they are facing. Trajectories taken by real people in similar situations, are copied to the simulated agents, resulting in seemingly natural behaviors.

Modeling crowd evacuation of a building based on seven methodological approaches

2008-04-07

Xiaoping Zheng , Tingkuan Zhong , Mengting Liu

Dynamics of crowd disasters: An empirical study

2007-04-18

Dirk Helbing , Anders Johansson , Habib Z. Al-Abideen

Many observations of the dynamics of pedestrian crowds, including various self-organization phenomena, have been successfully described by simple many-particle models. For ethical reasons, however, there is a serious lack of … Many observations of the dynamics of pedestrian crowds, including various self-organization phenomena, have been successfully described by simple many-particle models. For ethical reasons, however, there is a serious lack of experimental data regarding crowd panic. Therefore, we have analyzed video recordings of the crowd disaster in Mina/Makkah during the Hajj in 1426H on 12 January 2006. They reveal two subsequent, sudden transitions from laminar to stop-and-go and "turbulent" flows, which question many previous simulation models. While the transition from laminar to stop-and-go flows supports a recent model of bottleneck flows [D. Helbing, Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 168001 (2006)], the subsequent transition to turbulent flow is not yet well understood. It is responsible for sudden eruptions of pressure release comparable to earthquakes, which cause sudden displacements and the falling and trampling of people. The insights of this study into the reasons for critical crowd conditions are important for the organization of safer mass events. In particular, they allow one to understand where and when crowd accidents tend to occur. They have also led to organizational changes, which have ensured a safe Hajj in 1427H.

Friction effects and clogging in a cellular automaton model for pedestrian dynamics

2003-05-23

Ansgar Kirchner , Katsuhiro Nishinari , Andreas Schadschneider

We investigate the role of conflicts in pedestrian traffic, i.e., situations where two or more people try to enter the same space. Therefore a recently introduced cellular automaton model for … We investigate the role of conflicts in pedestrian traffic, i.e., situations where two or more people try to enter the same space. Therefore a recently introduced cellular automaton model for pedestrian dynamics is extended by a friction parameter mu. This parameter controls the probability that the movement of all particles involved in a conflict is denied at one time step. It is shown that these conflicts are not an undesirable artifact of the parallel update scheme, but are important for a correct description of the dynamics. The friction parameter mu can be interpreted as a kind of an internal local pressure between the pedestrians which becomes important in regions of high density, occurring, e.g., in panic situations. We present simulations of the evacuation of a large room with one door. It is found that friction has not only quantitative effects, but can also lead to qualitative changes, e.g., of the dependence of the evacuation time on the system parameters. We also observe similarities to the flow of granular materials, e.g., arching effects.

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OR/MS research in disaster operations management

2005-08-17

Nezih Altay , Walter G. Green

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Synthesis of social surveys on noise annoyance

1978-08-01

Theodore J. Schultz

Since noise was first recognized as a serious environmental pollutant, a number of social surveys have been conducted in order to assess the magnitude of the problem and to develop … Since noise was first recognized as a serious environmental pollutant, a number of social surveys have been conducted in order to assess the magnitude of the problem and to develop suitable noise ratings, such that, from a measurement of certain physical characteristics of community noise, one could reliably predict the community’s subjective response to the noise. Recently, the author has reviewed the data from social surveys concerning the noise of aircraft, street traffic, expressway traffic, and railroads. Going back to the original published data, the various survey noise ratings were translated to day–night average sound level, and an independent judgment was made, where choice was possible, as to which respondents should be counted as ’’highly annoyed.’’ The results of 11 of these surveys show a remarkable consistency. It is proposed that the average of these curves is the best currently available relationship for predicting community annoyance due to transportation noise of all kinds.

Jamming transition in pedestrian counter flow

1999-05-01

Masakuni Muramatsu , Tunemasa Irie , Takashi Nagatani

How simple rules determine pedestrian behavior and crowd disasters

2011-04-18

Mehdi Moussaïd , Dirk Helbing , Guy Théraulaz

With the increasing size and frequency of mass events, the study of crowd disasters and the simulation of pedestrian flows have become important research areas. However, even successful modeling approaches … With the increasing size and frequency of mass events, the study of crowd disasters and the simulation of pedestrian flows have become important research areas. However, even successful modeling approaches such as those inspired by Newtonian force models are still not fully consistent with empirical observations and are sometimes hard to calibrate. Here, a cognitive science approach is proposed, which is based on behavioral heuristics. We suggest that, guided by visual information, namely the distance of obstructions in candidate lines of sight, pedestrians apply two simple cognitive procedures to adapt their walking speeds and directions. Although simpler than previous approaches, this model predicts individual trajectories and collective patterns of motion in good quantitative agreement with a large variety of empirical and experimental data. This model predicts the emergence of self-organization phenomena, such as the spontaneous formation of unidirectional lanes or stop-and-go waves. Moreover, the combination of pedestrian heuristics with body collisions generates crowd turbulence at extreme densities—a phenomenon that has been observed during recent crowd disasters. By proposing an integrated treatment of simultaneous interactions between multiple individuals, our approach overcomes limitations of current physics-inspired pair interaction models. Understanding crowd dynamics through cognitive heuristics is therefore not only crucial for a better preparation of safe mass events. It also clears the way for a more realistic modeling of collective social behaviors, in particular of human crowds and biological swarms. Furthermore, our behavioral heuristics may serve to improve the navigation of autonomous robots.

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Self-Organizing Pedestrian Movement

2001-06-01

Dirk Helbing , Péter Molnár , Illés J. Farkas +1 more

Although pedestrians have individual preferences, aims, and destinations, the dynamics of pedestrian crowds is surprisingly predictable. Pedestrians can move freely only at small pedestrian densities. Otherwise their motion is affected … Although pedestrians have individual preferences, aims, and destinations, the dynamics of pedestrian crowds is surprisingly predictable. Pedestrians can move freely only at small pedestrian densities. Otherwise their motion is affected by repulsive interactions with other pedestrians, giving rise to self-organization phenomena. Examples of the resulting patterns of motion are separate lanes of uniform walking direction in crowds of oppositely moving pedestrians or oscillations of the passing direction at bottlenecks. If pedestrians leave footprints on deformable ground (for example, in green spaces such as public parks) this additionally causes attractive interactions which are mediated by modifications of their environment. In such cases, systems of pedestrian trails will evolve over time. The corresponding computer simulations are a valuable tool for developing optimized pedestrian facilities and way systems.

Pedestrian Behavior at Bottlenecks

2005-04-29

Serge P. Hoogendoorn , Winnie Daamen

Traffic operations in public walking spaces are to a large extent determined by differences in pedestrian traffic demand and infrastructure supply. Congestion occurs when pedestrian traffic demand exceeds the capacity. … Traffic operations in public walking spaces are to a large extent determined by differences in pedestrian traffic demand and infrastructure supply. Congestion occurs when pedestrian traffic demand exceeds the capacity. In turn, the latter is determined by a number of factors, such as the width of the bottleneck and the wall surface, as well as the interaction behavior of the pedestrians passing the bottleneck. This article discusses experimental findings of microscopic pedestrian behavior in case of bottlenecks. Results for both a narrow bottleneck and a wide bottleneck are discussed and compared to the results of an experiment without a bottleneck. It is shown how pedestrians inside bottlenecks effectively form layers or trails, the distance between which is approximately 45 cm. This is less than the effective width of a single pedestrian, which is around 55 cm. The layers are thus overlapping, a phenomenon which is referred to as the “zipper” effect. The pedestrians within these layers follow each other at 1.3 seconds, irrespective of the considered experiment. For the narrow bottleneck case (width of one meter) two layers are formed; for the wide bottleneck case (width of two meters), four or five layers are formed, although the life span of these layers is rather small. The zipper effect causes the capacity of the bottleneck to increase in a stepwise fashion with the width of the bottleneck, at least for bottlenecks of moderate width (less than 3 m). This has substantial implications for the design of walking facilities.

New Insights into Pedestrian Flow Through Bottlenecks

2009-05-08

Armin Seyfried , O. Passon , Bernhard Steffen +3 more

Capacity estimation is an important tool for the design and dimensioning of pedestrian facilities. The literature contains different procedures and specifications that show considerable differences with respect to the estimated … Capacity estimation is an important tool for the design and dimensioning of pedestrian facilities. The literature contains different procedures and specifications that show considerable differences with respect to the estimated flow values. Moreover, new experimental data indicate a stepwise growth of capacity with width and thus challenge the validity of the specific flow concept. To resolve these differences, we experimentally studied the unidirectional pedestrian flow through bottlenecks under laboratory conditions. The time development of quantities such as individual velocities, density, and individual time gaps in bottlenecks of different widths is presented. The data show a linear growth of flow with width. The comparison of the results with experimental data from other authors indicates that the basic assumption of the capacity estimation for bottlenecks has to be revised. In contrast to most planning guidelines, our main result is that a jam occurs even if the incoming flow does not overstep the capacity defined by the maximum flow according to the fundamental diagram.

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Building safety and human behaviour in fire: A literature review

2009-10-05

Margrethe Kobes , Ira Helsloot , Bauke de Vries +1 more

Cellular automata microsimulation for modeling bi-directional pedestrian walkways

2001-03-01

Victor J. Blue , Jeffrey L. Adler

Simulation of pedestrian dynamics using a two-dimensional cellular automaton

2001-06-01

Carsten Burstedde , Kai Klauck , Andreas Schadschneider +1 more

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A multi-agent based framework for the simulation of human and social behaviors during emergency evacuations

2007-06-28

Xiaoshan Pan , Charles S. Han , Ken Dauber +1 more

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A continuum theory for the flow of pedestrians

2002-07-01

Roger L. Hughes

Pedestrian route-choice and activity scheduling theory and models

2003-03-26

Serge P. Hoogendoorn , Piet H. L. Bovy

Discrete choice models of pedestrian walking behavior

2005-11-10

Gianluca Antonini , Michel Bierlaire , Mats Weber

Unfreezing the robot: Navigation in dense, interacting crowds

2010-10-01

Peter Trautman , Andreas Krause

In this paper, we study the safe navigation of a mobile robot through crowds of dynamic agents with uncertain trajectories. Existing algorithms suffer from the "freezing robot" problem: once the … In this paper, we study the safe navigation of a mobile robot through crowds of dynamic agents with uncertain trajectories. Existing algorithms suffer from the "freezing robot" problem: once the environment surpasses a certain level of complexity, the planner decides that all forward paths are unsafe, and the robot freezes in place (or performs unnecessary maneuvers) to avoid collisions. Since a feasible path typically exists, this behavior is suboptimal. Existing approaches have focused on reducing the predictive uncertainty for individual agents by employing more informed models or heuristically limiting the predictive covariance to prevent this overcautious behavior. In this work, we demonstrate that both the individual prediction and the predictive uncertainty have little to do with the frozen robot problem. Our key insight is that dynamic agents solve the frozen robot problem by engaging in "joint collision avoidance": They cooperatively make room to create feasible trajectories. We develop IGP, a nonparametric statistical model based on dependent output Gaussian processes that can estimate crowd interaction from data. Our model naturally captures the non-Markov nature of agent trajectories, as well as their goal-driven navigation. We then show how planning in this model can be efficiently implemented using particle based inference. Lastly, we evaluate our model on a dataset of pedestrians entering and leaving a building, first comparing the model with actual pedestrians, and find that the algorithm either outperforms human pedestrians or performs very similarly to the pedestrians. We also present an experiment where a covariance reduction method results in highly overcautious behavior, while our model performs desirably.

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Evacuation transportation modeling: An overview of research, development, and practice

2013-01-11

Pamela Murray‐Tuite , Brian Wolshon

The Walking Behaviour of Pedestrian Social Groups and Its Impact on Crowd Dynamics

2010-04-07

Mehdi Moussaïd , Niriaska Perozo , Simon Garnier +2 more

Human crowd motion is mainly driven by self-organized processes based on local interactions among pedestrians. While most studies of crowd behaviour consider only interactions among isolated individuals, it turns out … Human crowd motion is mainly driven by self-organized processes based on local interactions among pedestrians. While most studies of crowd behaviour consider only interactions among isolated individuals, it turns out that up to 70% of people in a crowd are actually moving in groups, such as friends, couples, or families walking together. These groups constitute medium-scale aggregated structures and their impact on crowd dynamics is still largely unknown. In this work, we analyze the motion of approximately 1500 pedestrian groups under natural condition, and show that social interactions among group members generate typical group walking patterns that influence crowd dynamics. At low density, group members tend to walk side by side, forming a line perpendicular to the walking direction. As the density increases, however, the linear walking formation is bent forward, turning it into a V-like pattern. These spatial patterns can be well described by a model based on social communication between group members. We show that the V-like walking pattern facilitates social interactions within the group, but reduces the flow because of its "non-aerodynamic" shape. Therefore, when crowd density increases, the group organization results from a trade-off between walking faster and facilitating social exchange. These insights demonstrate that crowd dynamics is not only determined by physical constraints induced by other pedestrians and the environment, but also significantly by communicative, social interactions among individuals.

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Household Decision Making and Evacuation in Response to Hurricane Lili

2005-10-17

Michael K. Lindell , Jing-Chein Lu , Carla S. Prater

This study collected data on the evacuation from Hurricane Lili to answer questions about households’ reliance on information sources, the factors affecting their decisions to evacuate, the timing of their … This study collected data on the evacuation from Hurricane Lili to answer questions about households’ reliance on information sources, the factors affecting their decisions to evacuate, the timing of their hurricane evacuation decisions, and the time it took them to prepare to evacuate. The results replicated previous findings on the sources of hazard information, evacuation concerns, and the timing of evacuation decisions. In addition, they provide new information about evacuation preparation times and the finding that household characteristics are uncorrelated with evacuation decision times or evacuation preparation times.

T<scp>HE</scp> F<scp>LOW OF</scp> H<scp>UMAN</scp> C<scp>ROWDS</scp>

2002-12-18

Roger L. Hughes

▪ Abstract The modern study of a crowd as a flowing continuum is a recent development. Distinct from a classical fluid because of the property that a crowd has the … ▪ Abstract The modern study of a crowd as a flowing continuum is a recent development. Distinct from a classical fluid because of the property that a crowd has the capacity to think, interesting new physical ideas are involved in its study. An appealing property of a crowd in motion is that the nonlinear, time-dependent, simultaneous equations representing a crowd are conformably mappable. This property makes many interesting applications analytically tractable. In this review examples are given in which the theory has been used to provide possible assistance in the annual Muslim Hajj, to understand the Battle of Agincourt, and, surprisingly, to locate barriers that actually increase the flow of pedestrians above that when there are no barriers present. Modern developments may help prevent some of the approximately two thousand deaths that annually occur in accidents owing to crowding.The field of crowd motion, that is, the field of “thinking fluids,” is an intriguing area of research with great promise.

THE DESIGN OF A NEW LETTER CHART FOR MEASURING CONTRAST SENSITIVITY

1988-01-01

Denis G. Pelli , J. G. Robson , Arnold J. Wilkins

Self-Organized Pedestrian Crowd Dynamics: Experiments, Simulations, and Design Solutions

2005-02-01

Dirk Helbing , Ľuboš Buzna , Anders Johansson +1 more

To test simulation models of pedestrian flows, we have performed experiments for corridors, bottleneck areas, and intersections. Our evaluations of video recordings show that the geometric boundary conditions are not … To test simulation models of pedestrian flows, we have performed experiments for corridors, bottleneck areas, and intersections. Our evaluations of video recordings show that the geometric boundary conditions are not only relevant for the capacity of the elements of pedestrian facilities, they also influence the time gap distribution of pedestrians, indicating the existence of self-organization phenomena. After calibration of suitable models, these findings can be used to improve design elements of pedestrian facilities and egress routes. It turns out that “obstacles” can stabilize flow patterns and make them more fluid. Moreover, intersecting flows can be optimized, utilizing the phenomenon of “stripe formation.” We also suggest increasing diameters of egress routes in stadia, theaters, and lecture halls to avoid long waiting times for people in the back, and shock waves due to impatience in cases of emergency evacuation. Moreover, zigzag-shaped geometries and columns can reduce the pressure in panicking crowds. The proposed design solutions are expected to increase the efficiency and safety of train stations, airport terminals, stadia, theaters, public buildings, and mass events in the future. As application examples we mention the evacuation of passenger ships and the simulation of pilgrim streams on the Jamarat bridge. Adaptive escape guidance systems, optimal way systems, and simulations of urban pedestrian flows are addressed as well.

SPECIFICATION OF THE SOCIAL FORCE PEDESTRIAN MODEL BY EVOLUTIONARY ADJUSTMENT TO VIDEO TRACKING DATA

2007-12-01

Anders Johansson , Dirk Helbing , Pradyumn Kumar Shukla

Based on suitable video recordings of interactive pedestrian motion and improved tracking software, we apply an evolutionary optimization algorithm to determine optimal parameter specifications for the social force model. The … Based on suitable video recordings of interactive pedestrian motion and improved tracking software, we apply an evolutionary optimization algorithm to determine optimal parameter specifications for the social force model. The calibrated model is then used for large-scale pedestrian simulations of evacuation scenarios, pilgrimage, and urban environments.

Controlling individual agents in high-density crowd simulation

2007-08-03

Nuria Pelechano , Jan M. Allbeck , Norman I. Badler

Simulating the motion of realistic, large, dense crowds of autonomous agents is still a challenge for the computer graphics community. Typical approaches either resemble particle simulations (where agents lack orientation … Simulating the motion of realistic, large, dense crowds of autonomous agents is still a challenge for the computer graphics community. Typical approaches either resemble particle simulations (where agents lack orientation controls) or are conservative in the range of human motion possible (agents lack psychological state and aren't allowed to 'push' each other). Our HiDAC system (for High-Density Autonomous Crowds) focuses on the problem of simulating the local motion and global wayfinding behaviors of crowds moving in a natural manner within dynamically changing virtual environments. By applying a combination of psychological and geometrical rules with a social and physical forces model, HiDAC exhibits a wide variety of emergent behaviors from agent line formation to pushing behavior and its consequences; relative to the current situation, personalities of the individuals and perceived social density.

Who are you with and where are you going?

2011-06-01

Kota Yamaguchi , Alexander C. Berg , Luis E. Ortiz +1 more

We propose an agent-based behavioral model of pedestrians to improve tracking performance in realistic scenarios. In this model, we view pedestrians as decision-making agents who consider a plethora of personal, … We propose an agent-based behavioral model of pedestrians to improve tracking performance in realistic scenarios. In this model, we view pedestrians as decision-making agents who consider a plethora of personal, social, and environmental factors to decide where to go next. We formulate prediction of pedestrian behavior as an energy minimization on this model. Two of our main contributions are simple, yet effective estimates of pedestrian destination and social relationships (groups). Our final contribution is to incorporate these hidden properties into an energy formulation that results in accurate behavioral prediction. We evaluate both our estimates of destination and grouping, as well as our accuracy at prediction and tracking against state of the art behavioral model and show improvements, especially in the challenging observational situation of infrequent appearance observations-something that might occur in thousands of webcams available on the Internet.

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Agent-based modeling: Methods and techniques for simulating human systems

2002-05-14

Eric Bonabeau

Agent-based modeling is a powerful simulation modeling technique that has seen a number of applications in the last few years, including applications to real-world business problems. After the basic principles … Agent-based modeling is a powerful simulation modeling technique that has seen a number of applications in the last few years, including applications to real-world business problems. After the basic principles of agent-based simulation are briefly introduced, its four areas of application are discussed by using real-world applications: flow simulation, organizational simulation, market simulation, and diffusion simulation. For each category, one or several business applications are described and analyzed.

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A COMMUNICATION MODEL OF PERSONAL SPACE VIOLATIONS: EXPLICATION AND AN INITIAL TEST

1978-01-01

Judee K. Burgoon

Journal Article A Communication Model of Personal Space Violations: Explication and an Initial Test Get access Judee K. Burgoon Judee K. Burgoon 1Judee K. Burgoon (Ed.D., West Virginia University, 1974) … Journal Article A Communication Model of Personal Space Violations: Explication and an Initial Test Get access Judee K. Burgoon Judee K. Burgoon 1Judee K. Burgoon (Ed.D., West Virginia University, 1974) is assistant professor of Speech at the University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida 32611 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Human Communication Research, Volume 4, Issue 2, December 1978, Pages 129–142, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.1978.tb00603.x Published: 17 March 2006

Abnormal crowd behavior detection using social force model

2009-06-01

Ramin Mehran , Alexis Oyama , Mubarak Shah

In this paper we introduce a novel method to detect and localize abnormal behaviors in crowd videos using Social Force model. For this purpose, a grid of particles is placed … In this paper we introduce a novel method to detect and localize abnormal behaviors in crowd videos using Social Force model. For this purpose, a grid of particles is placed over the image and it is advected with the space-time average of optical flow. By treating the moving particles as individuals, their interaction forces are estimated using social force model. The interaction force is then mapped into the image plane to obtain Force Flow for every pixel in every frame. Randomly selected spatio-temporal volumes of Force Flow are used to model the normal behavior of the crowd. We classify frames as normal and abnormal by using a bag of words approach. The regions of anomalies in the abnormal frames are localized using interaction forces. The experiments are conducted on a publicly available dataset from University of Minnesota for escape panic scenarios and a challenging dataset of crowd videos taken from the web. The experiments show that the proposed method captures the dynamics of the crowd behavior successfully. In addition, we have shown that the social force approach outperforms similar approaches based on pure optical flow.

Social force model for pedestrian dynamics

1995-05-01

Dirk Helbing , Péter Molnár

It is suggested that the motion of pedestrians can be described as if they would be subject to ``social forces.'' These ``forces'' are not directly exerted by the pedestrians' personal … It is suggested that the motion of pedestrians can be described as if they would be subject to ``social forces.'' These ``forces'' are not directly exerted by the pedestrians' personal environment, but they are a measure for the internal motivations of the individuals to perform certain actions (movements). The corresponding force concept is discussed in more detail and can also be applied to the description of other behaviors. In the presented model of pedestrian behavior several force terms are essential: first, a term describing the acceleration towards the desired velocity of motion; second, terms reflecting that a pedestrian keeps a certain distance from other pedestrians and borders; and third, a term modeling attractive effects. The resulting equations of motion of nonlinearly coupled Langevin equations. Computer simulations of crowds of interacting pedestrians show that the social force model is capable of describing the self-organization of several observed collective effects of pedestrian behavior very realistically.

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Hurricane Evacuation Behavior

1991-08-01

Earl J. Baker

Researchers have conducted sample surveys following at least twelve hurricanes from 1961 through 1989 in almost every state from Texas through Massachutts. The resulting database is larger than that for … Researchers have conducted sample surveys following at least twelve hurricanes from 1961 through 1989 in almost every state from Texas through Massachutts. The resulting database is larger than that for any other hazard, and many generalizations are feasible concerning factors accounting for variation in response to hurricane threats. Risk area and actions by public officials are the most important variables affecting public response. When public officials are aggressive in issuing evacuation notices and disseminate the messages effectively. over 90 percent of the residents of high-risk barrier islands and open coasts evacuate. People hearing, or believing they hear, official evacuation advisories or orders are more than twice as likely to leave in most locations. A greater percentage of mobile home dwellers evacuate than occupants of other housing, especially in modelate-risk and low-risk areas. General knowledge about hurricanes and hurricane safety is weakly related or unrelated to evacuation, but belief that one's own home is subject to flooding is strongly associated with whether the occupant leaves. Length of residence in hurricane prone areas and hurricane experience are not good predictors of response. The great majority of people who evacuate unnecessarily in one hurricane will still leave in future threats.

Walking > walking-in-place > flying, in virtual environments

1999-01-01

Martin Usoh , Kevin Arthur , Mary C. Whitton +4 more

Article Free Access Share on Walking > walking-in-place > flying, in virtual environments Authors: Martin Usoh Department of Computer Science, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK Department … Article Free Access Share on Walking > walking-in-place > flying, in virtual environments Authors: Martin Usoh Department of Computer Science, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK Department of Computer Science, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UKView Profile , Kevin Arthur Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina, CB #3175, Chapel Hill, NC Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina, CB #3175, Chapel Hill, NCView Profile , Mary C. Whitton Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina, CB #3175, Chapel Hill, NC Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina, CB #3175, Chapel Hill, NCView Profile , Rui Bastos Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina, CB #3175, Chapel Hill, NC Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina, CB #3175, Chapel Hill, NCView Profile , Anthony Steed Department of Computer Science, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK Department of Computer Science, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UKView Profile , Mel Slater Department of Computer Science, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK Department of Computer Science, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UKView Profile , Frederick P. Brooks Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina, CB #3175, Chapel Hill, NC Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina, CB #3175, Chapel Hill, NCView Profile Authors Info & Claims SIGGRAPH '99: Proceedings of the 26th annual conference on Computer graphics and interactive techniquesJuly 1999 Pages 359–364https://doi.org/10.1145/311535.311589Online:01 July 1999Publication History 514citation3,920DownloadsMetricsTotal Citations514Total Downloads3,920Last 12 Months463Last 6 weeks58 Get Citation AlertsNew Citation Alert added!This alert has been successfully added and will be sent to:You will be notified whenever a record that you have chosen has been cited.To manage your alert preferences, click on the button below.Manage my Alerts New Citation Alert!Please log in to your account Save to BinderSave to BinderCreate a New BinderNameCancelCreateExport CitationPublisher SiteeReaderPDF

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Continuum crowds

2006-07-01

Adrien Treuille , Seth Cooper , Zoran Popović

We present a real-time crowd model based on continuum dynamics. In our model, a dynamic potential field simultaneously integrates global navigation with moving obstacles such as other people, efficiently solving … We present a real-time crowd model based on continuum dynamics. In our model, a dynamic potential field simultaneously integrates global navigation with moving obstacles such as other people, efficiently solving for the motion of large crowds without the need for explicit collision avoidance. Simulations created with our system run at interactive rates, demonstrate smooth flow under a variety of conditions, and naturally exhibit emergent phenomena that have been observed in real crowds.

Learning Social Etiquette: Human Trajectory Understanding In Crowded Scenes

2016-01-01

Alexandre Robicquet , Amir Sadeghian , Alexandre Alahi +1 more

You'll never walk alone: Modeling social behavior for multi-target tracking

2009-09-01

S. Pellegrini , Andreas Ess , Konrad Schindler +1 more

Object tracking typically relies on a dynamic model to predict the object's location from its past trajectory. In crowded scenarios a strong dynamic model is particularly important, because more accurate … Object tracking typically relies on a dynamic model to predict the object's location from its past trajectory. In crowded scenarios a strong dynamic model is particularly important, because more accurate predictions allow for smaller search regions, which greatly simplifies data association. Traditional dynamic models predict the location for each target solely based on its own history, without taking into account the remaining scene objects. Collisions are resolved only when they happen. Such an approach ignores important aspects of human behavior: people are driven by their future destination, take into account their environment, anticipate collisions, and adjust their trajectories at an early stage in order to avoid them. In this work, we introduce a model of dynamic social behavior, inspired by models developed for crowd simulation. The model is trained with videos recorded from birds-eye view at busy locations, and applied as a motion model for multi-people tracking from a vehicle-mounted camera. Experiments on real sequences show that accounting for social interactions and scene knowledge improves tracking performance, especially during occlusions.

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Guidance on Conducting a Systematic Literature Review

2017-08-28

Yu Xiao , Maria Watson

Literature reviews establish the foundation of academic inquires. However, in the planning field, we lack rigorous systematic reviews. In this article, through a systematic search on the methodology of literature … Literature reviews establish the foundation of academic inquires. However, in the planning field, we lack rigorous systematic reviews. In this article, through a systematic search on the methodology of literature review, we categorize a typology of literature reviews, discuss steps in conducting a systematic literature review, and provide suggestions on how to enhance rigor in literature reviews in planning education and research.

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Crowd-Robot Interaction: Crowd-Aware Robot Navigation With Attention-Based Deep Reinforcement Learning

2019-05-01

Changan Chen , Yuejiang Liu , S. Kreiss +1 more

Mobility in an effective and socially-compliant manner is an essential yet challenging task for robots operating in crowded spaces. Recent works have shown the power of deep reinforcement learning techniques … Mobility in an effective and socially-compliant manner is an essential yet challenging task for robots operating in crowded spaces. Recent works have shown the power of deep reinforcement learning techniques to learn socially cooperative policies. However, their cooperation ability deteriorates as the crowd grows since they typically relax the problem as a one-way Human-Robot interaction problem. In this work, we want to go beyond first-order Human-Robot interaction and more explicitly model Crowd-Robot Interaction (CRI). We propose to (i) rethink pairwise interactions with a self-attention mechanism, and (ii) jointly model Human-Robot as well as Human-Human interactions in the deep reinforcement learning framework. Our model captures the Human-Human interactions occurring in dense crowds that indirectly affects the robot's anticipation capability. Our proposed attentive pooling mechanism learns the collective importance of neighboring humans with respect to their future states. Various experiments demonstrate that our model can anticipate human dynamics and navigate in crowds with time efficiency, outperforming state-of-the-art methods.

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Linear programming and network flows

1991-01-01

Dirk Cattrysse

Bayesian Loss for Crowd Count Estimation With Point Supervision

2019-10-01

Zhiheng Ma , Xing Wei , Xiaopeng Hong +1 more

In crowd counting datasets, each person is annotated by a point, which is usually the center of the head. And the task is to estimate the total count in a … In crowd counting datasets, each person is annotated by a point, which is usually the center of the head. And the task is to estimate the total count in a crowd scene. Most of the state-of-the-art methods are based on density map estimation, which convert the sparse point annotations into a "ground truth" density map through a Gaussian kernel, and then use it as the learning target to train a density map estimator. However, such a "ground-truth" density map is imperfect due to occlusions, perspective effects, variations in object shapes, etc. On the contrary, we propose Bayesian loss, a novel loss function which constructs a density contribution probability model from the point annotations. Instead of constraining the value at every pixel in the density map, the proposed training loss adopts a more reliable supervision on the count expectation at each annotated point. Without bells and whistles, the loss function makes substantial improvements over the baseline loss on all tested datasets. Moreover, our proposed loss function equipped with a standard backbone network, without using any external detectors or multi-scale architectures, plays favourably against the state of the arts. Our method outperforms previous best approaches by a large margin on the latest and largest UCF-QNRF dataset.

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The fundamental diagram of pedestrian movement revisited

2005-10-05

Armin Seyfried , Bernhard Steffen , Wolfram Klingsch +1 more

The empirical relation between density and velocity of pedestrian movement is not completely analyzed, particularly with regard to the `microscopic' causes which determine the relation at medium and high densities. … The empirical relation between density and velocity of pedestrian movement is not completely analyzed, particularly with regard to the `microscopic' causes which determine the relation at medium and high densities. The simplest system for the investigation of this dependency is the normal movement of pedestrians along a line (single-file movement). This article presents experimental results for this system under laboratory conditions and discusses the following observations: The data show a linear relation between the velocity and the inverse of the density, which can be regarded as the required length of one pedestrian to move. Furthermore we compare the results for the single-file movement with literature data for the movement in a plane. This comparison shows an unexpected conformance between the fundamental diagrams, indicating that lateral interference has negligible influence on the velocity-density relation at the density domain $1 m^{-2}<\rho<5 m^{-2}$. In addition we test a procedure for automatic recording of pedestrian flow characteristics. We present preliminary results on measurement range and accuracy of this method.

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Simulation of evacuation processes using a bionics-inspired cellular automaton model for pedestrian dynamics

2002-09-01

Ansgar Kirchner , Andreas Schadschneider

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Pedestrian and evacuation dynamics

2002-01-01

Michael Schreckenberg , Som Deo Sharma

Leveling Crowds

1996-12-31

S. J. Tambiah

Participatory Exhibitions as An Awareness-raising Platform for Bird Window Collisions

2025-06-26

| CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Bird window strikes pose a significant threat to avian populations in urban settings. Understanding public attitudes toward this issue is vital for communicating the problem and possible interventions, such as … Bird window strikes pose a significant threat to avian populations in urban settings. Understanding public attitudes toward this issue is vital for communicating the problem and possible interventions, such as applying window stickers. Bird Window Strike Philippines, a citizen science initiative, has promoted awareness through online engagement and a public pop-up exhibition designed to leave a lasting impression and gather visitor feedback. The exhibition introduced Filipino audiences to bird-window collisions through educational and participatory elements, including interpretive panels, taxidermied bird specimens, and window models demonstrating prevention techniques. Its central message was: “Bird window strikes are a problem, and we can be part of the solution.” The taxidermied birds were included to foster emotional connection. Visitors participated by voting on preferred preventive measures and answering questions about what would encourage them to adopt these interventions. Comment cards captured their reflections and takeaways. Results showed a clear preference for window stickers and mesh and a desire for affordable and accessible options. Notably, emotional engagement was evident among participants, reflecting the exhibition’s capacity to foster empathy and deeper reflection. Open-ended responses highlighted key themes: human agency in mitigating collisions, the conservation significance of window strikes, the role of citizen science and public awareness, and the underestimated frequency of such events. The exhibition served to raise awareness of this often-overlooked conservation issue. The study supports public exhibitions as effective tools for fostering dialogue and building biodiversity-inclusive urban environments.

The Nonlinear Causal Effect Estimation of the Built Environment on Urban Rail Transit Station Flow Under Emergency

2025-06-25

Qianqi Fan , Chengcheng Yu , Jianyong Zuo | Sustainability

Urban rail transit (URT) systems are critical for sustainable urban mobility but are increasingly vulnerable to disruptions and emergencies. While extensive research has examined the built environment’s influence on transit … Urban rail transit (URT) systems are critical for sustainable urban mobility but are increasingly vulnerable to disruptions and emergencies. While extensive research has examined the built environment’s influence on transit demand under normal conditions, the nonlinear causal mechanisms shaping URT passenger flow during emergencies remain understudied. This study proposes an artificial intelligence-based causal machine learning framework integrating causal structure learning and causal effect estimation to investigate how the built environment, network structure, and incident characteristics causally affect URT station-level ridership during emergencies. Using empirical data from Shanghai’s URT network, this study uncovers dual pathways through which built environment attributes affect passenger flow: by directly shaping baseline ridership and indirectly influencing intermodal connectivity (e.g., bus connectivity) that mitigates disruptions. The findings demonstrate significant nonlinear and heterogeneous causal effects; notably, stations with high network centrality experience disproportionately severe ridership losses during disruptions, while robust bus connectivity substantially buffers such impacts. Incident type and timing also notably modulate disruption severity, with peak-hour incidents and severe disruptions (e.g., power failures) amplifying passenger flow declines. These insights highlight critical areas for policy intervention, emphasizing the necessity of targeted management strategies, enhanced intermodal integration, and adaptive emergency response protocols to bolster URT resilience under crisis scenarios.

Unraveling human crowd dynamics through the foot tracking of pedestrians

2025-06-25

Yi Ma , Zhipan Niu , Meng Shi +5 more | Science Advances

Movement of pedestrian crowds is ubiquitous in human society. However, it is unclear what dynamical regimes pedestrian crowds can exhibit at different crowd densities, how pedestrians move in these different … Movement of pedestrian crowds is ubiquitous in human society. However, it is unclear what dynamical regimes pedestrian crowds can exhibit at different crowd densities, how pedestrians move in these different dynamical regimes, and in which dynamical regime the movement synchronization of pedestrians is most likely to occur. Here, we conducted a unidirectional crowd movement experiment, in which we tracked the movement of pedestrian crowds through foot tracking. We find experimentally that pedestrian crowds can exhibit three distinct dynamical regimes (free regime, slow-moving regime, and jammed regime) depending on the crowd density. In the free regime, pedestrians' movement is not constrained; in the slow-moving regime, pedestrians' speed is constrained, but pedestrians' movement direction in each step is not influenced; and in the jammed regime, both pedestrians' speed and movement direction in each step are constrained. We also demonstrate that pedestrians are most likely to synchronize their movements spontaneously at the onset of jamming. Our findings provide important insights into crowd dynamics.

Study on the dynamic evolution of safety performance durin g the renovation cycle of historical blocks

2025-06-25

Wei Huang , Hechi Wang , Xu Xiang +1 more | Research Square (Research Square)

<title>Abstract</title> Historical blocks are the key to urban context, carrying cultural heritage and style. Changes in spatial form during the renovation of lifen buildings are prone to hidden dangers. The … <title>Abstract</title> Historical blocks are the key to urban context, carrying cultural heritage and style. Changes in spatial form during the renovation of lifen buildings are prone to hidden dangers. The study took Wuhan Sandeli as the object, constructed a fire model with PyroSim software, analyzed the changes in smoke visibility, temperature field and CO concentration threshold of three types of rooms; calculated the evacuation time of personnel in different scenarios with pathfinder software, and analyzed the evolution of building safety performance by combining available and required safe evacuation time. The results show that the closure of space during the renovation makes the day and night evacuation exceed the safety standard, and the reduction of exits, delayed emergency response and the superposition of the characteristics of the aging population affect evacuation safety. The study proposed protection measures to provide a basis for safety optimization in the transition period of historical building renovation.

The Impact of Auditory Traffic Perception on Pedestrians’ Street-Crossing Behavior: Insights from Real and Virtual Environments

2025-06-24

Ilja T. Feldstein , Viola Cavallo | PRESENCE Virtual and Augmented Reality

Abstract Does the ability to perceive an approaching vehicle through auditory cues influence a pedestrian’s crossing decision? This article provides a comprehensive review of existing literature, followed by a report … Abstract Does the ability to perceive an approaching vehicle through auditory cues influence a pedestrian’s crossing decision? This article provides a comprehensive review of existing literature, followed by a report on a new experiment that examined the street-crossing behaviors of thirty participants on a one-way street. Half of the participants had access to both visual and auditory perception, while the other half relied solely on visual perception. All participants completed the experiment in both a real street setting and a virtual environment. The real-environment setting offered a high degree of face validity, while the virtual environment ensured precise repeatability of the scenarios. In both settings, participants without auditory perception exhibited significantly riskier crossing behavior, accepting gaps to approaching vehicles that were approximately 10% smaller than those accepted by the group with auditory perception. The experiment also revealed that participants exhibited significantly riskier crossing behavior in the virtual environment compared to the real street.

VISWALK Microsimulation-Based Evacuation Modeling of a Critical Infrastructure: A Social Force Model Approach

2025-06-24

Zeba Fariha , Ifratul Haque , Sadia Tahsin Quadir +4 more | Journal of Engineering Science

Given the continuous increase in occupancy in critical urban infrastructures, the adoption of evacuation strategies has become a widely recognized solution to tackle the challenges posed by natural or manmade … Given the continuous increase in occupancy in critical urban infrastructures, the adoption of evacuation strategies has become a widely recognized solution to tackle the challenges posed by natural or manmade disasters. Unfortunately, even in this modern day and age, Bangladesh has witnessed many disastrous accidents resulting in thousands of casualties due to the absence of effective emergency evacuation plans in high-occupancy infrastructures. Effective development of evacuation plans necessitates the collection of diverse data, encompassing details concerning evacuation duration along with several other factors. In light of this, the primary objective of this study is to establish a methodology to determine the total evacuation time of a 5-storeyed readymade garments factory (RMG), representing a densely populated critical infrastructure. A PTV VISWALK microsimulation model of the study infrastructure was developed to simulate evacuation scenarios to reflect the real-life occupancy data. The Social Force Model (SFM) of pedestrian dynamics has been used to represent the panic amidst people during disaster situations by tuning the walking behavior parameters. Integration of VISWALK and SFM parameters ensures the understanding of pedestrian characteristics and movement, which helps to emulate different types of evacuation scenarios. Machine learning techniques have been incorporated with the Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) method in our study to calibrate the parameters for creating emergency conditions to obtain the total evacuation time. Results of the microsimulations show that the minimum total evacuation time (TET) or required safe egress time (RSET) is 8 minutes 7 seconds, exceeding the available safe egress time (ASET) 5 minutes, as found in several fire drill surveys of structure with similar geometries. The findings of this study will enhance the understanding of evacuation dynamics and provide insights into the social force model parameters which can be further utilized in the optimization of emergency response strategies within similar infrastructure. The results showcased in this research will inform stakeholders regarding occupants’ safety and provide insights into the potential risks associated with the layout of analogous structures, thereby ensuring more resilient urban environments. Journal of Engineering Science 15(2), 2024, 1-12

Smart Disaster Management Minimizing Response Time in Disaster Situations Using AI

2025-06-24

Usharani Bhimavarapu | Advances in computational intelligence and robotics book series

Rescue Team Scheduling Mode is an essential part of disaster management that facilitates timely deployment of emergency response teams with optimal utilization of resources. Conventional scheduling models are likely to … Rescue Team Scheduling Mode is an essential part of disaster management that facilitates timely deployment of emergency response teams with optimal utilization of resources. Conventional scheduling models are likely to fail in accommodating dynamic environments, uncertain disaster scenarios, and real-time decision-making. To address these challenges, a robust scheduling algorithm is presented, which combines machine learning, reinforcement learning, and optimization techniques. The algorithm takes into account factors like the severity of emergencies, availability of teams, current traffic conditions, and environmental limitations to distribute resources optimally. Using algorithms such as Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA), Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), and Reinforcement Learning (RL), the model redistributes teams adaptively and optimizes routes. The suggested mode of scheduling also provides equitable load distribution, reduces response time, and improves coordination among different agencies.

Divide-and-rule and interpretable proactive threat analysis for mobile Crowdsensing systems

2025-06-24

Delei Zhao , Jian Wang , Guosheng Zhao | Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence

Multi-source data-driven intelligent analysis and decision optimization for high-density pedestrian flows in urban public spaces

2025-06-23

Shiqi Zeng , Xiangsheng Chen , Dong Su +1 more | Automation in Construction

Discrepancies in Pedestrian Crossing of Static vs. Dynamic Crowds: An Experimental Study

2025-06-23

Jinghui Wang , Yajuan Jiang , Xiaoying Zhang +2 more | Transportation Letters

Enhancing urban sustainability through calculative practices and simulations

2025-06-23

Federico Barnabè , Maria Cleofe Giorgino , Stefano Armenia | Accounting Auditing & Accountability Journal

Purpose This study investigates the performative role of calculative practices in urban decision-making by combining simulation tools and accounting measures. Specifically, this study proposes both theoretical and practical approaches to … Purpose This study investigates the performative role of calculative practices in urban decision-making by combining simulation tools and accounting measures. Specifically, this study proposes both theoretical and practical approaches to support the development of an integrated approach for formulating urban sustainability and circular economy policies. Design/methodology/approach This study combines performativity theory with Systems Thinking and System Dynamics, presenting findings from two simulation sessions focused on developing sustainability and circular economy policies for a virtual urban environment. A System Dynamics simulator (interactive learning environment) was used to facilitate the simulations and support decision-making. Findings This study demonstrates the potential of combining accounting and simulation principles (specifically, Systems Thinking and System Dynamics) to enhance interactions between human agents and support decision-making through a rigorous and quantified simulation model. It also proposes an approach that fosters the integrative potential of calculative practices in urban sustainability decisions. Originality/value This study offers a novel approach by combining accounting concepts with Systems Thinking and System Dynamics principles and tools to facilitate human-agent interaction and support decision-making in complex and dynamic environments, such as urban sustainability. It specifically examines circular economy policies in cities and provides new insights into applying performativity theory in this context, thereby offering novel practical implications.

Unveiling the barriers hindering occupants’ adoption and utilisation of concealed emergency exits in facilities

2025-06-23

Kofi Owusu Adjei , Murendeni Liphadzi , Francis Kwesi Bondinuba +1 more | Facilities

Purpose Emergency evacuation is crucial for occupants’ security in neighbourhoods. Despite the provision of emergency exits, many casualties occur during disasters. This study aims to explore the barriers preventing occupants … Purpose Emergency evacuation is crucial for occupants’ security in neighbourhoods. Despite the provision of emergency exits, many casualties occur during disasters. This study aims to explore the barriers preventing occupants from using hidden emergency exits (HEE) as a safer alternative. Design/methodology/approach The study used a quantitative research methodology, using the 31,094 housing units in Ejisu-Juaben Municipality. The sample consisted of 379 occupants, selected through purposive and convenience sampling, resulting in a 68% response rate. The data were analysed using normalisation values (NV) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Findings From the results, the two most ranked benefits of HEE recorded NV greater than the 0.60 threshold. The 25 barriers were grouped into seven main barriers by the EFA: demographic, economic, technology, facility design, social, technical, government policy and support. In addition, the NV threshold identified and discussed 12 of the 25 barriers as critical. Research limitations/implications The study focuses on a set of variables that impact HEE and might not encompass other aspects of emergency preparedness. Practical implications The results highlight the critical need for increased investment in HEE technology, improved facility design and targeted instructional initiatives. Cross-sector collaboration among construction professionals, safety engineers and emergency management officials is also needed to standardise HEE design and policies. Originality/value This study integrates several variables that hinder the adoption and use of concealed emergency exits. The findings provide opportunities for industry developers of HEE technology to collaborate with construction professionals, ultimately aiming to increase their use.

OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY ASSESSMENT OF URBAN PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE: QUEUEING SYSTEM ANALYSIS OF ATAL FOOTBRIDGE

2025-06-21

Anami Patel , Ravi Gor | International Journal of Engineering Science Technologies

This study focuses on analyzing the queueing system at the Atal Bridge, Ahmedabad to understand and improve its operational efficiency. The bridge's functioning is divided into two main parts: the … This study focuses on analyzing the queueing system at the Atal Bridge, Ahmedabad to understand and improve its operational efficiency. The bridge's functioning is divided into two main parts: the ticket window and the bridge visit. Primary data, including arrival rates and service times, were collected through direct observation. The collected data was analyzed to determine its distribution, which was used to construct a suitable queueing model. Using this queueing model, a numerical analysis was performed to identify the causes of crowding and delays in the system. Moreover, the performance measures of weekdays (Monday to Friday) and weekends (Saturday and Sunday) were compared in the analysis to highlight differences in crowd patterns and system efficiency. The results of this analysis provide valuable insights into how the system can be improved to reduce waiting times and enhance the overall visitor experience. This research highlights the practical application of queueing theory in managing pedestrian flow and improving the efficiency of public infrastructure like the Atal Bridge.

A scoping review of fire safety on building construction sites: current measures, practices and future research directions

2025-06-21

Kexin Liu , Vicente A. González , Gaang Lee +1 more | Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

Purpose Construction sites are inherently prone to fire hazards due to the frequent use of flammable materials, dynamic environments and large workforces. However, research on fire safety in building construction … Purpose Construction sites are inherently prone to fire hazards due to the frequent use of flammable materials, dynamic environments and large workforces. However, research on fire safety in building construction remains fragmented, making it difficult to identify trends and challenges and resulting in knowledge gaps that limit effective strategies and innovations. This paper bridges these gaps through a comprehensive review that establishes the current state of knowledge and categorizes existing studies. Design/methodology/approach A scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology was conducted. Scientific literature was collected from the Web of Science and Scopus, with 52 studies selected. Additionally, grey literature was sourced through web searches and relevant organization websites, with 16 documents selected. Findings Four key categories were identified: (1) fire incident investigation, (2) fire risk assessment, (3) fire risk response planning and (4) monitoring and detection. The qualitative analysis highlights future research directions to advance this field, including (1) developing near-miss incident data collection platforms, (2) integrating digital twins for dynamic risk assessment, (3) integrating extended reality for fire safety training and (4) deploying robots and UAVs for flexible detection methods. Practical implications The proposed conceptual map illustrates the interconnections among different measures, offering practitioners a holistic understanding of this field. Identified gaps and research directions can enhance awareness in this field and foster collaboration between researchers and other stakeholders. Originality/value This study provides the first structured synthesis of fragmented research in this field, serving as a valuable reference for researchers and laying the groundwork for future research.

Reinforcement learning for evaluating school safety designs in active shooter incidents

2025-06-21

Ruying Liu , Wanjing Wu , Burçin Becerik-Gerber +3 more | Advanced Engineering Informatics

STUDY ON HUMAN BEHAVIORS AT THE REST SPACES IN THE CONCOURSES OF THE OSAKA MONORAIL

2025-06-19

J. Mao , Takashi YOKOTA | AIJ Journal of Technology and Design

A sustainable multi-objective framework for multi-phased, capacitated vertiport siting with land use integration

2025-06-19

Hao Wu , Shahriar Iqbal Zame , Tao Guo +2 more | Communications in Transportation Research

Memory-dependent optimal leader-follower control for evacuation

2025-06-19

Ricardo Almeida , Rafał Kamocki , Agnieszka B. Malinowska +1 more | Nonlinear Dynamics

Abstract In this paper, a novel methodology is introduced for guided evacuation scenarios, incorporating individuals’ memory and past observations. This approach employs an optimal control strategy for the leader to … Abstract In this paper, a novel methodology is introduced for guided evacuation scenarios, incorporating individuals’ memory and past observations. This approach employs an optimal control strategy for the leader to guide followers from predefined initial positions to safety within a specified timeframe. The effectiveness of the guiding action is evaluated based on two key factors: flocking cohesion and rescue cost. The flocking component measures both the relative distances among followers and their proximity to the leader, ensuring coordinated movement and efficient evacuation. The proposed methodology is validated through numerical simulations. Furthermore, the necessary optimality conditions are established using Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle for nonlinear fractional optimal control problems, where the differential equation involves a general fractional operator in the Caputo sense applied to the state variable with respect to time.

COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF OPTIMAL PLACEMENT OF AEDS IN LARGE-SCALE URBAN FACILITIES WITH SKYSCRAPERS USING GOLDEN HOUR PRINCIPLE

2025-06-19

Takayuki ISOBE , Tohru Yoshikawa | AIJ Journal of Technology and Design

Efficiency of Positive Pressure Ventilation Compared to Organized Natural Ventilation in Fire Scenarios of a Multi-Story Building

2025-06-19

Dan-Adrian Ionescu , Vlad Iordache , Iulian-Cristian Ene +1 more | Applied Sciences

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the dynamics of indoor environmental parameters under three simulated fire scenarios in a multi-story building, using the PyroSim platform (based on the Fire … This paper presents a detailed analysis of the dynamics of indoor environmental parameters under three simulated fire scenarios in a multi-story building, using the PyroSim platform (based on the Fire Dynamics Simulator—FDS). The study compares two smoke control strategies, organized natural ventilation (a passive system) and mechanical pressurization (an active system), evaluating their influence on temperature, differential pressure, air velocity, heat release rate (HRR), and toxic gas distribution. The simulations revealed that passive systems, relying on the stack effect and vertical natural ventilation, do not ensure the effective control of smoke infiltration into evacuation routes, allowing significant heat accumulation and reduced visibility. The results highlight the superior effectiveness of unidirectional mechanical pressurization in maintaining a stable flow regime, functional visibility, and a safe evacuation environment. A key finding is the transition from static pressure control to velocity-based flow control at the moment of door opening toward the fire source. The results confirm that a dynamically adapted application of mechanical pressurization—synchronized with the opening of access pathways—not only reinforces existing principles for protecting egress routes, but also provides a precise operational approach for optimizing emergency responses in high-rise buildings.

Double-triangular-type channel design in elevator–staircase coordinated evacuation in high-rise buildings

2025-06-18

Xuehong Gao , Kuo Wang , Haoqing Yu +3 more | Engineering Optimization

Influence of COVID-19 Conditions on Resident Evacuation Behavior During Hurricane Ian

2025-06-17

Leilani D. Paxton , Jennifer M. Collins , Elizabeth Dunn +3 more | Weather Climate and Society

Abstract Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 hurricane that made landfall in Florida in 2022, presented a unique challenge for residents due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines how … Abstract Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 hurricane that made landfall in Florida in 2022, presented a unique challenge for residents due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines how the evolving COVID-19 pandemic affected perceptions of hurricane risks and evacuation decisions, particularly the role of COVID-19 concerns in influencing the decision to stay home. The study found that only 4% of respondents cited COVID-19 as the primary reason for staying home, while 50.1% of participants indicated that having a pet played a significant role in their decision. Most survey participants (70.3%) strongly agreed they were provided with timely information to make a good evacuation decision. The most heavily relied upon sources of information included local media, county/city emergency preparedness websites, and electronic media whereas the least relied upon sources of information were social media and print media. The findings of this study suggest that, even in the context of a pandemic, many residents evacuated for Hurricane Ian. However, COVID-19 concerns did play a role in some individuals' decisions, particularly those who were concerned about the crowded conditions in shelters. This study highlights the importance of providing clear, consistent, and timely information to residents during evacuations, particularly during a public health crisis.

Beyond Static Estimates: Dynamic Simulation of Fire–Evacuation Interaction in Historical Districts

2025-06-17

Zhi Yue , Zheshu Ma , Di Yao +3 more | Applied Sciences

Historical districts face pressing disaster preparedness challenges due to their special spatial properties—risks compounded by static approaches that overlook dynamic fire–pedestrian interactions. This study employs an agent-based model (ABM) for … Historical districts face pressing disaster preparedness challenges due to their special spatial properties—risks compounded by static approaches that overlook dynamic fire–pedestrian interactions. This study employs an agent-based model (ABM) for fire simulations and AnyLogic pedestrian dynamics to address these gaps in Dukezong Ancient Town, Yunnan Province, China, considering diverse ignition points, seasonal temperatures, and wind conditions. Dynamic simulations of 16 scenarios reveal critical spatial impacts: within 30 min, ≥28% of streets became impassable, with central ignition points causing faster obstructions. Static models underestimate evacuation durations by up to 135%, neglecting early stage congestions and detours caused by high-temperature zones. Congestions are concentrated along main east–west arterial roads, worsening with longer warning distances. A mismatch between evacuation flows and shelter capacity is found. Thus, a three-stage interaction simplification is derived: localized detours (0–10 min), congestion-driven delays on critical roads (11–30 min), and prolonged structural damage afterward. This study challenges static approaches by highlighting the “fast alert-fast congestion” paradox, where rapid alerts overwhelm narrow pathways. Solutions prioritize multi-route guidance systems, optimized shelter access points, and real-time information dissemination to reduce bottlenecks without costly infrastructure changes. This study advances disaster modeling by bridging disaster development with dynamic evacuation, offering a replicable framework for similar environments.

Crowdsourcing for public response and communications during unplanned transit network disruptions: a case study in China

2025-06-17

Shuli Luo , Graham Currie , Xiao Fu | Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks

The status quo of fire evacuation drills in nursery schools

2025-06-16

Hana Najmanová , Petr Novák , Enrico Ronchi | Safety Science

A Simulation Model for Resident-Led Tsunami Evacuation Planning: Design and Feasibility

2025-06-16

Kunihiro Nakahara , Michinori Hatayama | International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction

Intelligent Crowd Management Using a Virtual Coordinate System

2025-06-16

Najla Al-Nabhan , Reem K. Alshammari , Shikah J. Alsunaidi +5 more | Electronics

With the rapid growth of populations worldwide, the need for intelligent crowd management solutions has become increasingly critical. One of the key challenges in this field is accurately assessing and … With the rapid growth of populations worldwide, the need for intelligent crowd management solutions has become increasingly critical. One of the key challenges in this field is accurately assessing and managing pedestrian movement. Traditional crowd management systems rely on localization maps, while topology maps provide an alternative approach to analyzing pedestrian dynamics. In this paper, we explore the integration of virtual coordinate systems (VCSs) with topology maps for enhanced crowd management. We propose a novel mobility model based on the Reference Point Mobility model to simulate pedestrian movement and generate datasets for experimental evaluation. Additionally, we assess the reliability of the VCS in detecting congestion by introducing a method that quantifies node density in a given area. This method estimates a node’s potential location based on the average number of hops between the node and anchor points. Our approach demonstrates promising results, achieving a maximum error rate of 12%.

Station passenger flow evacuation method based on social force model and improved Dijkstra algorithm

2025-06-16

Jinyi Liu , Weiwei Pu , Siyi Yu | International Conference on Frontiers of Traffic and Transportation Engineering (FTTE 2022)

Passenger satisfaction evaluation and MassMotion-based simulation of pedestrian flow in Wuhan Wujiapeng station

2025-06-16

Houyong Wang , Jiedong Lan , Qiang Zhang +1 more | International Conference on Frontiers of Traffic and Transportation Engineering (FTTE 2022)

Impact of jaywalking on pedestrian interaction behavior: A multiagent Markov Game-based analysis

2025-06-14

Elena Abu Khuzam , Gabriel Lanzaro , Tarek Sayed | Accident Analysis & Prevention

Jaywalking behavior represents a major safety concern especially in traffic environments with intense pedestrian activity. Despite the influence of this behavior on crash risk given that drivers have unexpected interactions … Jaywalking behavior represents a major safety concern especially in traffic environments with intense pedestrian activity. Despite the influence of this behavior on crash risk given that drivers have unexpected interactions with pedestrians and must take additional evasive actions, limited pedestrian models have accounted for jaywalking behavior. This research uses Multiagent Adversarial Inverse Reinforcement Learning (MAAIRL) within a Markov game framework to model road user behavior in jaywalking scenarios at signalized intersections, offering a detailed representation of the dynamic and complex decision-making strategies of pedestrians and drivers in these situations. This approach enables obtaining reward functions that can be used to make inferences about their behaviors and optimal policies that represent the best sequences of decisions, which can be used in developing microsimulation models. Results show that jaywalking pedestrians exhibited erratic movements, with higher acceleration rates and unpredictable paths. In contrast, non-jaywalking pedestrians showed more predictable behavior with smaller variations in their paths and greater distances from vehicles while crossing. Additionally, jaywalking scenarios led to smaller time-to-collision (TTC) and post-encroachment time (PET) values, reduced minimum distances, and faster pedestrian movements compared to non-jaywalking scenarios, which shows the increased crash risks associated with jaywalking. Finally, the MAAIRL model was able to adequately learn the behaviors associated with both non-jaywalking and jaywalking pedestrians. This shows the potential of this framework to model complex real-world scenarios. These findings underscore the importance of improving pedestrian simulation models to take into account the distinct behavioral patterns associated with jaywalking, and such advancements can facilitate a more comprehensive examination of the safety impacts in busy pedestrian environments.

The Roles of Companion Animals in the Relationship Between Disaster Risk Perception and Willingness to Evacuate

2025-06-13

Parth Bansal , Szymon Parzniewski , Siyu Ru +2 more | International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Abstract Companion animals are becoming increasingly common, and as natural hazards grow in frequency and severity, they play a critical role in guardians’ decision making about evacuation and shelter during … Abstract Companion animals are becoming increasingly common, and as natural hazards grow in frequency and severity, they play a critical role in guardians’ decision making about evacuation and shelter during disasters. Although many studies have explored the relationship between risk perception and willingness to evacuate, it remains unclear whether companion animals play a role in this relationship. This study investigated whether companion animal guardians exhibit a distinct risk perception-willingness to evacuate relationship compared to non-guardians during Category 1–2 and Category 3+ hurricanes. It also explored how guardianship characteristics, such as the number of animals or their dual role as support animals, influence this relationship. The findings indicate that being a guardian and the number of animals significantly affect willingness to evacuate and its connection to risk perception. For Category 3+ hurricanes, the presence of chronically ill animals further influences this relationship. Probability plots reveal that guardians have similar evacuation willingness as non-guardians at lower levels of perceived risk, but at higher levels of perceived risk, guardians show a significantly greater willingness to evacuate. Additionally, guardians with more animals are more likely to evacuate at a lower perceived risk but less likely at a higher perceived risk. For Category 3+ hurricanes, guardians of healthy animals show a higher evacuation willingness at lower levels of perceived risk than those with sick animals. These findings highlight the complex nonlinear role that companion animals play in evacuation decisions and provide insights into some of the contradictory evacuation behaviors by guardians reported in the literature.

A Collaborative Optimization Model for Metro Passenger Flow Control Considering Train–Passenger Symmetry

2025-06-12

Rong Li , Q. Liu , Lei Wang | Symmetry

Due to the unbalanced temporal and spatial distribution of the passenger flow on metro lines during peak hours, the implementation of passenger flow control strategies effectively ensures operational safety and … Due to the unbalanced temporal and spatial distribution of the passenger flow on metro lines during peak hours, the implementation of passenger flow control strategies effectively ensures operational safety and travel efficiency for passengers. In this study, we analyze the coupling relationship between trains and passengers, introduce train-stopping state variables, and synergistically optimize both train operation schedules and station passenger flow control. Aiming to minimize the total passenger delay time and maximize the number of boarding passengers, we consider four constraints: the train operation process, the passenger entry process, the passenger–train interaction process, and system constraints. This framework enables us to construct a cooperative passenger flow control optimization model for oversaturated metro lines. Subsequently, we propose an improved artificial bee colony algorithm to solve this model. We utilize evolutionary operators and an enhanced tabu search to create new food sources for employed bees and enhance their local search capabilities during the employed phase. Finally, Shanghai Metro Line 9 is used as a case study for the model validation. The computational results indicate that the proposed Collaborative passenger flow control strategy significantly reduces the number of stranded passengers on platforms and decreases the total passenger delay time by 36.26% compared to the existing passenger flow control strategy. The findings demonstrate that the cooperative control strategy proposed in this paper can effectively alleviate the pressure from passenger flow on oversaturated lines, balance the asymmetry between supply and demand, and markedly improve both safety and efficiency in the metro system during peak hours.

Enhancing Disaster Resilience in Hospitals Through Flow Space-Optimized Evacuation Routes

2025-06-12

Yejun Wu , Jun Xia , Xuekelaiti Haiyirete | Sustainability

Hospitals are an important piece of infrastructure for global emergency management, and their evacuation efficiency is crucial during large-scale disasters or public health crises. Traditional evacuation methods mainly focus on … Hospitals are an important piece of infrastructure for global emergency management, and their evacuation efficiency is crucial during large-scale disasters or public health crises. Traditional evacuation methods mainly focus on proximity and often overlook dynamic pedestrian density and channel capacity, leading to local congestion and increased risk. This study introduces a dynamic optimization evacuation path planning framework based on flow space theory to address the overall inefficiency in hospital evacuation. We model the hospital space as a dynamic network flow, analyze evacuation time through walking and queuing time, and apply a density–velocity correction model to adjust path allocation in real time. Using the MassMotion 11.0 platform to compare the evacuation of simulated hospital models before and after path optimization, the results showed that the average evacuation time was reduced by 10.58%, the waiting time in high-density areas was shortened, and the overall efficiency was improved. Empirical exercises show that path optimization can shorten evacuation time, demonstrating that spatial optimization strategies enhance hospital resilience. These results confirm the practical value of the flow space theory in emergency management for dealing with disasters. The flow space theory enriches the theoretical system of evacuation planning and contributes to a more in-depth study of people’s evacuation behaviors and the optimization of evacuation strategies.

Accurate energy optimization mechanism of artificial ice rink based on machine learning-ANSYS-experiment coupling

2025-06-12

Xiangyu Song , Shuoyang Wang , D.Y. Yang +3 more | Energy and Buildings

Successful coordination of the distributed network, Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure

2025-06-12

Cheryl Ann Blain , Julio Ramirez , Billy L. Edge +5 more | Frontiers in Built Environment

A Network Coordination Office (NCO) is at the core of the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI), a national, 12-component, distributed research network, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). … A Network Coordination Office (NCO) is at the core of the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI), a national, 12-component, distributed research network, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). NHERI is focused on research that both mitigates damage and increases resilience from natural hazards such as hurricanes and other extreme windstorms, storm surge, tsunami waves, and earthquakes. NCO activities engage all facilities within NHERI, uniting the network’s four diverse component types comprised of experimental facilities, a cyberinfrastructure for data and computing resources, a center for the creation of modeling and simulation tools, and a repository of equipment, software and support for rapid reconnaissance. Outcomes from NCO governance activities include two network-wide summits, five international partnerships, a central scheduling tool, and a means for external evaluation. The NCO’s education and community outreach has established an extremely successful pipeline for engineering education from elementary and secondary educators to undergraduates, graduate students, and early career faculty. The NCO conducts centralized communication activities such as newsletter publication, e-mail announcements, podcasts, and social media engagements that unite the natural hazards research community and amplify NHERI’s impact. Led by the NCO, the NHERI Science Plan presents a long-term vision for the natural hazards research community and serves as a roadmap for future high-impact, high-reward, hazards engineering and interdisciplinary research at NHERI facilities. The NCO also promotes technology transfer through education and one-on-one engagement with researchers. Overall, the NCO unifies and strengthens the research network through its variety of initiatives, amplifying the impact of this multifaceted NSF research network and provides a template for the management of large, distributed research networks.

CocoNote: Agents-aided Collaborative Learning Environment Enhances Socially Shared Regulation

2025-06-10

Haiyang Xin , Shuang Li , Lingyun Huang +4 more | Computer-supported collaborative learning/The Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Conference

Critical neighborhood evacuation area identification

2025-06-09

Alan T. Murray | Journal of Transport Geography