A Hybrid Simulation Model to Test Behaviour Designs in an Emergency Evacuation

Abstract

The paper shows a computer simulation in order to specify and implement a simulation model that allows to investigate behavioural dynamics for pedestrians in an emergency evacuation. We present a hybrid model where the dynamics of fire and smoke propagation are modelled by means of Cellular Automata and for simulating people behaviour we are using goal oriented Intelligent Agents. The model consists of two sub-models, called environmental and pedestrian. We have prototyped a methodology that is able to model some of the frequently observed human behaviours in evacuation exercises. The decision making-process is determined by the current behaviour. The set of behaviours are included in an engine of behaviour associated to each agent. This hybrid model along with the computational methodology allows us building an artificial environment populated with autonomous agents, which are capable of interacting with each other. Furthermore, in order to test some human behaviours, we developed simple exercises where the model is applied to the simulation of evacuation processes.