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

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Abstract

Many computational tools for the simulation and design of emergency evacuation and egress are now available. However, due to the scarcity of human and social behavioral data, these computational tools rely on assumptions that have been found inconsistent or unrealistic. This paper presents a multi-agent based framework for simulating human and social behavior during emergency evacuation. A prototype system has been developed, which is able to demonstrate some emergent behaviors, such as competitive, queuing, and herding behaviors. For illustration, an example application of the system for safe egress design is provided.

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Acknowledgments

This research is partially supported by the Center for Integrated Facility Engineering at Stanford University. The authors would like to acknowledge the software support from AutoDesk, Inc.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CDM Technologies Inc., San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401, USA

    Xiaoshan Pan

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305-4020, USA

    Charles S. Han & Kincho H. Law

  3. Google Inc., Mountain View, CA, 94043, USA

    Ken Dauber

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  1. Xiaoshan Pan
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  2. Charles S. Han
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  3. Ken Dauber
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  4. Kincho H. Law
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Correspondence to Xiaoshan Pan.

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Pan, X., Han, C.S., Dauber, K. et al. A multi-agent based framework for the simulation of human and social behaviors during emergency evacuations. AI & Soc 22, 113–132 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-007-0126-1

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