This thesis describes the analysis and development of new systems for modelling the movement of individuals in crowded situations. A literature review of previous research in this field is presented, and is accompanied by an analysis and appraisal of the methods and findings of these studies. Specific areas for potential research are identified and discussed, and the subsequent investigations by the author are described in detail. Although some investigation into the potential use of hydraulic modelling is described, the majority of the research work is concerned with the computer simulation of the escape movement of individuals from a building. The computer program assigns a variety of attributes to each individual in the building population. These attributes include gender, age and body size. Specific algorithms that facilitate the simulation of escape movement include distance mapping, wayfinding, overtaking, route deviation, and adjustments to individual speeds due to the proximity of crowd members. These algorithms contribute to a computer package that displays the building plan and the position and progress of individual building occupants as they walk to the exits. Walking speeds, flow rates and movement parameters are compared to real-life data, and the success of applying the package to real-life problems is discussed. The thesis also describes the collection of new crowd data by the use of image analysis techniques.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:662877 |
| Date | January 1994 |
| Creators | Thompson, Peter A. |
| Publisher | University of Edinburgh |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://hdl.handle.net/1842/13111 |
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