Route choice in pedestrian evacuation under conditions of good and zero visibility: Experimental and simulation results

The route choice of pedestrians during evacuation under conditions of both good and zero visibility is investigated using a group of experiments conducted in a classroom, and a microscopic pedestrian model with discrete space representation. Observation of the video recordings made during the experiments reveals several typical forms of behavior related to preference for destination, effect of capacity, interaction between pedestrians, following behavior and evacuation efficiency. Based on these forms of behavior, a microscopic pedestrian model with discrete space representation is developed. In the model, two algorithms are proposed to describe the movement of pedestrians to a destination under conditions of both good and zero visibility, respectively. Through numerical simulations, the ability of the model to reproduce the behavior observed in the experiments is verified. The study is helpful for devising evacuation schemes and in the design of internal layouts and exit arrangements in buildings that are similar to the classroom.

► The route choice of pedestrians is investigated.
► A group of experiments on pedestrian evacuation are conducted.
► Several typical behaviors are found in these experiments.
► A microscopic pedestrian model is developed.
► Several behaviors observed in the experiments are reproduced by the model.