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This project delves into the dynamics of building evacuations through agent-based simulation, utilizing the Vicsek model. The study addresses the critical relationship between evacuation time, stress levels, and the number of individuals, challenging conventional assumptions such as the faster-is-slower effect and Yerkes-Dodson’s Law. Surprisingly, the simulations reveal that higher stress levels lead to shorter evacuation times independent of the number of individuals, contrary to traditional expectations.
The simulation model incorporates nuanced factors, including stress-induced changes in decision- making, clustering effects, and cognitive impacts on evacuation dynamics. The study conducts a short analysis, exploring the interplay of these elements in emergency scenarios. Notably, the findings emphasize the intricate nature of stress dynamics during evacuations, highlighting the need for further research.
Recommendations for future work include fine-tuning simulation parameters to better align with real-world scenarios, as well as simulating even higher stress levels and more realistic building layouts. Adjustments such as optimizing stress levels, refining clustering factors, and setting chaos thresholds aim to enhance the model’s accuracy and predictive capabilities. This research contributes valuable insights to the refinement of building safety protocols, ultimately elevating the effectiveness of emergency evacuations.