The influence of environmental performance on way-finding behavior in evacuation simulation

Way finding is an important dynamic decision making process in evacuation simulation. Evacuees need to make decision 011 the next step when there is more than one route or direction ahead. This paper investigates the influence of environmental information 011 occupants' way-finding behaviour by questionnaire and eye-tracking experiments, supposing that eveiy individual finds his or her own way out and unfamiliar with the building layout. By collecting data 011 way-finding strategies and participants' visual response to architecture cues, the noticed environment information hierarchy is found and then relations with human characteristics are discussed. The experimental results will not only help to improve the path planning in evacuation simulation models, but also increase the realism of behaviour and response of autonomous virtual humans to surrounding environments.