Five Grand Challenges in Pedestrian and Evacuation Dynamics

Published

June 6, 2011

Author(s)

Jason D. Averill

Abstract

This paper identifies five grand challenges in the multidisciplinary field of pedestrian and evacuation dynamics (PED). In order to maximize the ef-fectiveness of limited resources, the PED community would benefit greatly from a prioritized, consensus-based research agenda. The five proposed research initia-tives include (1) a general human behavior model with a theoretical foundation and numerical validity, (2) a database archiving actual building emergency evacuations, (3) methods to embrace the stochastic nature of inputs and outcomes in building evacuation, (4) a validated method to integrate distributions of egress calculations with fire hazard calculations, and (5) adoption of technology for people movement, data collection, and within modeling constructs. The list proffered in this paper is intended merely as a spark for discussion amongst the greater PED community; a true consensus research agenda requires deliberation by leaders in the community.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of the 5th International Pedestrian and Evacuation Dynamics Conference

Conference Dates

March 8-10, 2010

Conference Location

Gaithersburg, MD

Conference Title

5th International Pedestrian and Evacuation Dynamics Conference

Pub Type

Conferences

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9725-8_1

Keywords

Egress, Evacuation, Pedestrian, Fire Safety

Citation

Averill, J. (2011), Five Grand Challenges in Pedestrian and Evacuation Dynamics, Proceedings of the 5th International Pedestrian and Evacuation Dynamics Conference, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9725-8_1 (Accessed October 31, 2024)