Human-centric dynamic accessibility measurement for emergency evacuation: testing and modeling in remote village in China

Abstract

Emergency evacuation is a critical component of disaster management, particularly in high-altitude remote areas where limited infrastructure, complex terrain, and extreme environments significantly increase evacuation challenges. However, most existing studies focus on urban or low-altitude regions, with limited research on evacuation behavior in high-altitude settings. This study examines Jiangdong Village in Ruoergai County, Sichuan Province, using a human-centered dynamic accessibility measurement approach to assess the impact of high-altitude environments on evacuation efficiency through psychological-physiological data analysis. By analyzing evacuation data from 77 villagers, we constructed a multiple linear regression model (R² = 0.846), which revealed a significant positive correlation between age and evacuation time (regression coefficient 0.93, P = 0.006). Younger participants exhibited better physiological adaptability (mean heart rate 106.07 bpm at 50s), whereas older individuals showed a slower heart rate response (mean heart rate 74.14 bpm at 50s) and delayed recovery. Psychological stress was also significantly correlated with evacuation time (correlation coefficient 0.64, P < 0.001), with high-stress individuals evacuating in 229.33s on average, compared to 142.89s for low-stress participants. The findings indicate that psychological stress and heart rate dynamics are key factors influencing evacuation efficiency. This study provides empirical insights for emergency management in high-altitude ethnic villages and proposes optimized evacuation strategies, including real-time physiological monitoring, enhanced psychological support, and tailored evacuation plans for different populations to improve disaster response in high-altitude regions.