Simulation method of urban evacuation based on mesoscopic cellular automata

Abstract

This study integrates pedestrian flow characteristics to formulate a mesoscopic cellular automata model tailored for simulating evacuations in large-scale scenarios. Departing from the conventional planar grid cell division, the model employs road cell segmentation, thereby physically enlarging the dimensions of individual cells. This augmentation accommodates an increased occupancy of individuals per cell, representing pedestrian flow parameters within each cell through state variables. The source loading cell facilitates the simulation of pedestrian behavior transitioning from buildings to roads during an actual evacuation event, while the unloading cell situated at the exit removes evacuees from the system. The continuity equation for state transitions comprehensively encapsulates the dynamics of pedestrians throughout the evacuation process. Potential challenges in actual evacuation processes are identified through the simulation, offering valuable insights for improvement. This research aims to contribute to a more effective and informed approach to evacuation planning and management.