A Virtual Reality Simulation Method for Crowd Evacuation in a Multiexit Indoor Fire Environment

Yukun Guo,Yu Wang,Yuhang Gong,Lin Fu,Jun Zhu,Bingli Xu,Weilian Li,Jinchuan Chai

doi:10.3390/ijgi9120750

Abstract

Evacuation simulations in virtual indoor fire scenes hold great significance for public safety. However, existing evacuation simulation methods are inefficient and provide poor visualized when applied to virtual reality (VR) simulations. Additionally, the influences of the interaction of evacuation processes on the choice of multiple exits have not been fully considered. In the paper, we propose a VR simulation method for crowd evacuation in a multiexit indoor fire environment. An indoor 3D scene model and character model, for studying the environmental factors that affect the multiexit selection of personnel during the fire process, are combined with environmental factors to enhance the evacuation route planning algorithm to improve the efficiency of the VR simulation of evacuation in the scene. In addition, a prototype system that supports multiple experience modes is proposed, and case experiment analyses are performed. The results show that the method described in this paper can effectively support the real-time simulation of indoor fire evacuations in virtual scenes, providing both reliable simulation results and good visualization effects.

Highlights

As the process of urbanization intensifies, the complexity of building structures is constantly increasing, and the density of people is rapidly increasing [1]
One study [12] has shown that familiarity with building structures in virtual scenes can help people find the best way out of trouble in fire scenes, which is important for public safety
This article presented a method of Virtual reality (VR) simulation for crowd evacuation in a multiexit indoor fire environment

Summary

Introduction

As the process of urbanization intensifies, the complexity of building structures is constantly increasing, and the density of people is rapidly increasing [1]. Because of the complexity of human behaviors, indoor fires often result in congestion, trampling, and death [3]. To guarantee their safety, people need to leave the scene of fire as quickly as they can [4]. It can be used to help people train to escape [11]. One study [12] has shown that familiarity with building structures in virtual scenes can help people find the best way out of trouble in fire scenes, which is important for public safety

Methods

Results

Conclusion