An evacuation model for buildings : a systems approach

by Lo, Siu-ming

The evacuation model is formulated from three basic components, namely, the pre-movement reactions, the behavioural reaction accompanying wayfinding process and the physical movement of the people.

The pre-movement stage is modelled on the basis of the people's decision

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making process. The wayfinding process is considered to be influenced by

perception and cognition of the evacuees. The environmental and personal

influences which associate with the perceptual and cognitive reactions are

introduced to the movement model. The model is established in accordance

with the spatial geometry of the building.

The methodologies used in this thesis are an integrated systematic approach

to the modelling and analysis of evacuation processes in buildings. The

systematic developments achieved in the thesis provide a comprehensive

approach to evacuation problems. Such development provides an alternative

approaches to previous modelling techniques and offer valuable insight into

the nature of evacuation processes.

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