Analysis of visual and acoustic measures for self-evacuations in road tunnels using virtual reality
(2024) In Fire Safety Journal 148.- Abstract
Emergency fire situations in tunnels can be especially dangerous when occurring in long underground or subsea tunnels, particularly when evacuation on foot is the only alternative. This paper presents the results from a study comparing different visual and acoustic measures to facilitate efficient and safe emergency evacuation and their effect on people's self-rescue behaviour in response to a tunnel fire. Eighty-one participants evaluated seven different scenarios in virtual reality with or without visual and acoustic supporting measures (i.e. signs, lights, acoustic beacons) to find their way to emergency doors. Objective behavioural data, such as orientation, and walking speed, were collected. The results suggest that the distance... (More)
Emergency fire situations in tunnels can be especially dangerous when occurring in long underground or subsea tunnels, particularly when evacuation on foot is the only alternative. This paper presents the results from a study comparing different visual and acoustic measures to facilitate efficient and safe emergency evacuation and their effect on people's self-rescue behaviour in response to a tunnel fire. Eighty-one participants evaluated seven different scenarios in virtual reality with or without visual and acoustic supporting measures (i.e. signs, lights, acoustic beacons) to find their way to emergency doors. Objective behavioural data, such as orientation, and walking speed, were collected. The results suggest that the distance between the emergency doors increases uncertainty and affects the time to self-rescue significantly, with four times longer times for 500 m than 250 m between doors. Additionally, the use of continuous guiding lights positively supported orientation and walking speed, with 97 % of the participants finding their way and showing a reduction of time to reach the emergency door of 10–20 s. The study underscores the importance in the proper visual and acoustic evacuation measures for the wayfinding of emergency exits, improving self-rescue of people.
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- author
- Skjermo, Jo ; Moscoso, Claudia ; Nilsson, Daniel ; Frantzich, Håkan LU ; Hoem, Åsa S. ; Arnesen, Petter and Jenssen, Gunnar D.
- organization
- publishing date
- 2024-09
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Acoustic beacons, Evacuation, Fire, Guiding lights, Tunnel, Virtual reality, Walking speed
- in
- Fire Safety Journal
- volume
- 148
- article number
- 104224
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85199877283
- ISSN
- 0379-7112
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.firesaf.2024.104224
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- df0cd14d-b3aa-4c3a-b53e-153bd91a4935
- date added to LUP
- 2024-09-06 13:01:55
- date last changed
- 2024-09-06 13:03:07
@article{df0cd14d-b3aa-4c3a-b53e-153bd91a4935,
abstract = {{<p>Emergency fire situations in tunnels can be especially dangerous when occurring in long underground or subsea tunnels, particularly when evacuation on foot is the only alternative. This paper presents the results from a study comparing different visual and acoustic measures to facilitate efficient and safe emergency evacuation and their effect on people's self-rescue behaviour in response to a tunnel fire. Eighty-one participants evaluated seven different scenarios in virtual reality with or without visual and acoustic supporting measures (i.e. signs, lights, acoustic beacons) to find their way to emergency doors. Objective behavioural data, such as orientation, and walking speed, were collected. The results suggest that the distance between the emergency doors increases uncertainty and affects the time to self-rescue significantly, with four times longer times for 500 m than 250 m between doors. Additionally, the use of continuous guiding lights positively supported orientation and walking speed, with 97 % of the participants finding their way and showing a reduction of time to reach the emergency door of 10–20 s. The study underscores the importance in the proper visual and acoustic evacuation measures for the wayfinding of emergency exits, improving self-rescue of people.</p>}},
author = {{Skjermo, Jo and Moscoso, Claudia and Nilsson, Daniel and Frantzich, Håkan and Hoem, Åsa S. and Arnesen, Petter and Jenssen, Gunnar D.}},
issn = {{0379-7112}},
keywords = {{Acoustic beacons; Evacuation; Fire; Guiding lights; Tunnel; Virtual reality; Walking speed}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Fire Safety Journal}},
title = {{Analysis of visual and acoustic measures for self-evacuations in road tunnels using virtual reality}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2024.104224}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.firesaf.2024.104224}},
volume = {{148}},
year = {{2024}},
}