A game theory based exit selection model for evacuation

How do evacuees find their way to escape from a fire zone? This will be a significant question that should be considered for modeling the evacuation process. Generally, a building consists of enclosure areas such rooms, walkways and stairs. The principal problem in wayfinding is to select the way out when occupants egress from a multi-exit area. The choice of exits will depend on how groups of evacuees interact. Non-cooperative game theory deals largely with how intelligent individuals interact with one another in an effort to achieve their own goals-to leave the fire zone as fast as possible. This article presents a game theory based exit choice model for evacuation. It has been integrated in an evacuation model and demonstrates that the evacuees' interaction can affect the evacuation pattern and clearance time of a multi-exit zone. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.