2010 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Influence of Information and Architectural Space on Evacuation Decision-making in Case of Emergency

Research Project

Project/Area Number	20560566
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Section	一般
Research Field	Town planning/Architectural planning
Research Institution	Tokyo Institute of Technology
Principal Investigator	OHNO Ryuzo Tokyo Institute of Technology, 大学院・総合理工学研究科, 教授 (20160591)
Project Period (FY)	2008 – 2010
Keywords	防災計画 / 避難行動 / 意志決定 / 情報 / 空間構成
Research Abstract	The present study focuses on the process leading up to the decision to evacuate in case of emergency, examining how it is influenced by the kinds of fire information people receive and the characteristics of the architectural space they are in. For the study, a virtual office room was created inside an audio-visual simulation laboratory. Findings revealed that 1) hearing a fire alarm and a fire-alarm warning prior to the actual fire announcement encourages earlier decision-making, 2) persistent repeating of fire alarms and announcements is effective in prompting people to investigate their surroundings and therefore decide to evacuate, and 3) decision-making tends to be delayed in a room with no windows along the corridor and higher sound insulation.

(4 results)