An approach to define pedestrian escape routes in evacuation

Abstract

This paper considers a method for the definition of pedestrian escape routes by means of the simulation of pedestrian outflow. Feasible solutions are generated and compared in terms of evacuation time. In the proposed method an aggregate model for the estimation of evacuation time of a building is adopted. Such a method can be easily implemented and can be used to give a first evaluation of evacuation procedures without performing evacuation drills and can be used to give a fast response in identifying critical points on the network. To check the capabilities of the models used within the proposed approach, results obtained from simulations are compared with data recorded from an experiment on a test site conducted in a primary school located in an Italian town; an application consisting of designing escape routes for a school is also presented.