NCJ Number
217955
Journal
Journal of Security Education Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: 2006 Pages: 169-175
Date Published
2006
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This paper explains how simulation models can be used to examine the behaviors of various at-risk populations and individuals in responding to specific predisaster and postdisaster evacuation plans.
Abstract
These models are called "agent-based" models (ABMs) because they focus on individual components and their behaviors in relation to other components in a system and the system environment. The agent-based approach can be used to model location, movement, responses to interventions and other agents' behaviors, and other behaviors of an at-risk population. In the case of an evacuation from a particular building, a model can examine agent behaviors in the context of the building as defined by the number and location of exits, stairs, elevators, obstacles within the building, and the capacity constraints of transportation networks in the building's vicinity. Agent behaviors can be tested for various evacuation plans for the building. Models can be used to define behaviors of various at-risk populations in interaction with evacuation plans and settings. At-risk populations can be defined by age, gender, handicaps, and their proximate locations in an evacuation area. Each agent or individual can be modeled as either a point moving toward the exit on a two-dimensional map or a three-dimensional virtual reality environment. Agents can also be vehicles attempting to evacuate on a highway or on any part of a transportation network. These points, images, or vehicles are coded so that they know how to follow instructions to get to the nearest exit, swerve away from the disaster location, avoid barriers, follow a crowd, or take alternative exits based on information provided by disaster-management personnel. These models can facilitate evacuation planning and implementation as well as training. 1 figure and 10 references