Abstract
This research focuses on back-homing instinct, visible escape direction choices and tracking among escape direction choices in case of emergency, and to show the environment where such behavioral characteristics appear in a quantitative manner. An evacuation simulator using a walkthrough system was conducted. The results showed that 50% of evacuees who were not familiar with an architectural structure chose back-homing and the others searched for a new evacuation direction when they noticed a fire. For subjects who chose back-homing, 46.6% of evacuees still chose back-homing after observing the surrounding area and obtaining environmental information on both signs and other evacuees, while 53.4% chose to search for a new escape direction by following signs or other evacuees. It was found that the level concerning memory of a route to an evacuation point and the distance to an evacuation point also affects an escape choice. Also, the ratio of choice of visible escape routes differs according to the case. As a result of the research, it is possible to use this information to design an architectural structure and equipment in a building to minimize fire damage, by establishing evacuation simulation software.
