Variable guidance for pedestrian evacuation considering congestion, hazard, and compliance behavior. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chu, James C.; Chen, Albert Y.; Lin, Yu-Fu
• Is Part Of: Transportation research. Volume 85(2017)
• Page Start: 664
• Page End: 683
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Variable evacuation guidance -- Pedestrian simulation -- Congestion -- Guidance compliance -- Dynamic network -- Mixed-integer programming; Transportation -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; 388.011
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trc.2017.10.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0968-090X

Abstract

Highlights: A bi-level optimization methodology for variable pedestrian evacuation guidance is proposed. A logistic regression model for guidance compliance behavior is calibrated. The guidance compliance behavior is incorporated in the pedestrian simulation. A local search solution approach is adopted to solve the bi-level optimization problem. Benchmarks are calculated to evaluate the quality of the heuristic solution. Abstract: A methodology for optimizing variable pedestrian evacuation guidance in buildings with convex polygonal interior spaces is proposed. The optimization of variable guidance is a bi-level problem. The calculation of variable guidance based on the prediction of congestion and hazards is the upper-level problem. The prediction of congestion provided the variable guidance is the lower-level problem. A local search procedure is developed to solve the problem. The proposed methodology has three major contributions. First, a logistic regression model for guidance compliance behavior is calibrated using a virtual reality experiment and the critical factors for the behavior are identified. Second, the guidance compliance and following behaviors are considered in the lower-level problem. Third, benchmarks are calculated to evaluate the performance of optimized variable guidance, including the lower bound of the maximum evacuation time and the maximum evacuation time under a fixed guidance. Finally, the proposed methodology is validated with numerical examples. Results show that the method has the potential to reduce evacuation time in emergencies.