Evacuation behaviour and modelling

Summary

This research develops and applies an evacuation model to Sumner (Christchurch), Petone (Wellington) and Napier, simulating people evacuating on foot immediately after feeling a long or strong earthquake. The model considers walking and decision speed, and other effects such as congestion, and is informed by real people walking evacuation routes and collecting GPS data. Further knowledge was then acquired from local residents during a series of workshops.

Emergency management relevance

This research helps identify preferred evacuation routes, bottlenecks and important infrastructure, which can help evacuation planning.

Additional information

Authors: William Power, Kate Boersen, Kristie-Lee Thomas, Laura Tilley, Emma Hudson-Doyle, Lucy Kaiser, Biljana Lukovic, David Heron, Thomas Wilson, Graham Leonard, David Johnston

Date: 2019

Funders: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Format: GNS Science report

Reference: Power WL, Boersen K, Thomas K-L, Tilley L, Hudson-Doyle EE, Kaiser LH, Lukovic B, Heron DW, Wilson TM, Leonard GS, Johnston DM. 2019. Quicker and safer tsunami evacuations through agent-based modelling. Lower Hutt (NZ): GNS Science. 59 p. (GNS Science miscellaneous series;134).doi:10.21420/9H4N-TH30.