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A Multi-disciplinary Perspective on Representing Human Behavior in Evacuation Models

Published

Author(s)

Erica D. Kuligowski

Abstract

Predicting human behavior is an important aspect of performance-based design. However, our current evacuation modeling tools focus much more on simulating, verifying, and validating the movement of people throughout the building; often neglecting to represent the behavioral component of evacuation. This paper describes the current status of evacuation modeling tools in relation to simulating human behavior and identifies new directions in development that could improve the accuracy, scope, and reliability of model results; namely the inclusion of a comprehensive, conceptual model of human behavior in fire (HBiF). This paper also provides examples of current conceptual models of HBiF, additional research and efforts necessary for conceptual model development, questions for model developers regarding conceptual model implementation, and guidance on when the use of a conceptual model of HBiF would be beneficial.
Citation
New Approaches to Evacuation Modelling

Keywords

human behavior, evacuation modeling, conceptual modeling, sociology, behavioral modeling, performance-based design

Citation

Kuligowski, E. (2017), A Multi-disciplinary Perspective on Representing Human Behavior in Evacuation Models, New Approaches to Evacuation Modelling, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=923443 (Accessed March 29, 2024)
Created June 11, 2017, Updated March 11, 2019