If you have ever been in an emergency with a large crowd of people, you may have observed how humans demonstrate herding behavior. Rather than making an independent decision when in uncertain situations, people tend to imitate the larger group’s actions. Multiple scientific studies have analyzed the herding phenomenon to understand why individuals believe the crowd is better informed. During building emergencies, this “follow-the-crowd” mentality can be dangerous.
The human body reacts to emergencies by releasing hormones such as adrenaline, which causes accelerated breathing, pupil dilation, and muscular tension. These abrupt physiological changes can impact the decisions made during stressful moments, but the impact is not the same for everyone. Some people become hyper-focused and high-performing during emergencies, while others respond with a diminishment of their faculties.
Finding the exit during an emergency
This variable stress response by individuals during an emergency building evacuation may lead to chaos and misguided herding. During an emergency, facility occupants must make a series of quick decisions, one of which is the choice to evacuate. Numerous theories have been postured concerning the behavior of individuals and groups when the need to evacuate is present. These models include actions such as herding, competing, and cooperating.
After the decision to exit, the next choice is where to exit. Crowded spaces can become chaotic, and if the emergencies involve darkness, smoke, or obstacles, the group dynamic can devolve into a frantic panic. The placement of visible and easy-to-comprehend exit signs and emergency lighting can assist in alleviating panic.
VR analysis of exit lighting design
Virtual reality (VR) models are used to study occupants’ exit behavior during an emergency. Researchers utilize virtual environments that mimic real-life scenarios where exit signs are crucial for guiding individuals to safety during emergencies. By altering factors such as visibility, placement, size, and luminance of exit signs, assessments can be made on how these variables affect people’s ability to locate and follow them in a virtual emergency.
VR also enables tracking participants’ eye movements, response times, and decision-making processes. These observations provide insight into how individuals interact with exit signs under different conditions. For example, they can determine whether distractions or environmental factors influence people’s ability to identify and navigate toward exit signs.
The effectiveness of exit sign designs related to accessibility standards and building codes is also a component of VR modeling human behavior during emergency evacuation scenarios. Researchers can test different signage formats to assess compliance with regulations such as size, color contrast, and readability for individuals with visual impairments or disabilities.
Additional evacuation studies indicate that building occupants tend to try to retrace their entrance path to egress a structure during an emergency. Results of these studies also suggest that emergency signage positively impacts occupants if the signs are sufficiently visible. One specific study found that less than 40% of individuals recognized conventional static emergency signage visible directly in front of them.
Improve occupant behavior during emergencies with the proper design and installation of exit and emergency lighting
Exit signs and emergency lighting fixtures are crucial during a fire or emergency where rapid evacuation is necessary. Bright colors and illuminated letters or symbols on emergency pathway signs make them easy to spot, guiding occupants to the nearest exit routes. Exit signs and egress lighting are critical components of emergency preparedness and evacuation plans, helping to minimize the risk of injury or loss of life during fires and other emergencies. The proper design and installation of emergency lighting features can assist in overcoming human behaviors like panicking and herding during evacuation events.
