Enhancing evacuation plans with a situation awareness system based on end-user knowledge provision.

Area of Science:

• Emergency Management
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Disaster Response

Background:

• Effective evacuation plans are critical for minimizing hazards during disasters.
• Existing systems often rely on static information, which may not adapt to dynamic threats.
• The need for adaptive and situation-aware evacuation strategies is increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate the Situation-Aware System for enhancing Evacuation Plans (SASEP).
• To compare the effectiveness of SASEP against a legacy system using static signs in simulated emergencies.
• To assess user satisfaction with SASEP in various emergency scenarios.

Main Methods:

• Development of the SASEP system, enabling end-user business rule creation for evacuation plans.
• Experimental validation with 32 participants in a simulated emergency, split between SASEP and a static sign system.
• Comparative analysis of evacuation route options and user satisfaction studies.

Main Results:

• SASEP demonstrated superior evacuation route options compared to static signs, particularly when evacuation routes were under threat.
• The system proved valuable in dynamic emergency situations requiring adaptive planning.
• User satisfaction was assessed, identifying conditions under which both systems were perceived positively.

Conclusions:

• SASEP is a valuable tool for enhancing evacuation plans by providing situation-aware guidance.
• The system's adaptability is crucial for improving safety and efficiency during emergencies, especially with route threats.
• Further research can explore SASEP's application in diverse disaster scenarios and user groups.