3D indoor environments in pedestrian evacuation simulations

A Motion-Based Conceptual Space Model to Support 3D Evacuation Simulation in Indoor Environments

“…Two types of evacuation simulation models-2D/2.5D and 3D-can be recognised based on the spatial dimensions considered in evacuation modelling [1]. In 2D/2.5D evacuation simulation models [2][3][4][5][6], two main issues are identified.…”

“…However, almost all 3D indoor models that support 3D evacuation simulation are not readily adequate [1]. In most models, spaces above/below some physical components (e.g., tables, chairs, fence) in the 3D space, which are navigable for pedestrians, are not fully identified and extracted.…”

“…Firstly, the manner in which various physical components can enable different 3D pedestrian motions and the way pedestrians move through these physical components are insufficiently investigated and modelled [1], which restricts the possible evacuation paths. Secondly, the total evacuation path length in these simulation models does not consider the extra path lengths and effort of the vertical movement (up/down) [1,11], leading to unrealistic evacuation time computation. The length of an evacuation path determines the results of the evacuation time, which is one of the most critical evaluation factors for evacuations.…”

“…In short, using 3D voxel models could be an appropriate way to extract spaces above/below physical components since it is convenient and effective to digitally describe indoor spaces if a suitable voxel resolution is applied. This representation can readily provide the height information of indoor spaces and enable computing paths above, below or around physical components [1,24].…”

“…Finally, a voxel-based approach is introduced to identify and classify space components. The contributions of our paper are threefold: (1) introducing the definitions and parameterisation of 3D pedestrian motions, which helps to recognise and classify space components; (2) defining three categories of space components, which can enhance the composition and specifications of indoor spaces; (3) employing a voxel-based approach for describing the space components and elaborating their classification process, which can assist in the automatic identification and classification of indoor spaces.…”