Verification and validation of buildingexodus based on the walking speed of people with disabilities (pwd)
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Date
2018-06
Authors
Lee, Sze Yee
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Abstract
People with disabilities (PWD) are often overlooked in building design although
they are more vulnerable to hazards and face greater difficulties in accessing buildings
such as train stations. The presence of PWD has a significant influence on pedestrian
flow due to their slow walking speed, high space requirements and grouping tendencies,
but their behaviours are rarely explored in pedestrian simulation models due to lack of
empirical data. In an effort to accurately represent the behaviours of PWD in the
buildingEXODUS pedestrian simulation model, this study aims to verify the core
abilities of buildingEXODUS; conduct an experiment involving different types of PWD
based on a train station layout; and validate buildingEXODUS’ capacity to simulate
PWD. Verification of the model was done using selected standard tests from the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Seven categories of blind and wheelchairbound people were studied, namely blind, blind with an able-bodied assistant, two-blinds,
three-blinds, electric wheelchair, manual wheelchair and manual wheelchair with
assistance. The walking speed and egress time of PWD with and without the presence of
normal people was then determined from the experiment. Using the data collected, the
experiment scenario was recreated in buildingEXODUS. The simulation egress time was
then compared with the experimental egress time to validate buildingEXODUS. Overall,
buildingEXODUS was able to represent the selected main core components of
evacuation models that were scrutinised in the NIST verification tests. Experiment results
indicated that the walking speed and egress time of sighted individuals were negatively
influenced by the presence of other pedestrians. Subsequently, the ability of
buildingEXODUS to simulate PWD was validated. The simulation can produce
comparable results to real-life phenomena given that the occupant demographics are
sufficiently understood.