The UK WTC 9/11 evacuation study: an overview of findings derived from first‐hand interview data and computer modelling

Abstract

SUMMARYThis paper briefly describes the methodologies employed in the collection and storage of first‐hand accounts of evacuation experiences derived from face‐to‐face interviews with evacuees from the World Trade Centre (WTC) Twin Towers complex on 11 September 2001 and the development of the High‐rise Evacuation Evaluation Database (HEED). The main focus of the paper is to present an overview of the preliminary analysis of data derived from the evacuation of the North Tower with an emphasis on frequency of occupant stoppages on stairs, occupant stair travel speeds and occupant response times. The paper also describes some of the evacuation modelling analyses of the evacuation of the North Tower undertaken as part of project HEED. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.