Agent-based modeling for theme park evacuation

• Published in: Journal of emergency management (Weston, Mass.) Vol. 20; no. 2; p. 157
• Main Authors: Tzvetanov, Krassimir, Riegsecker, Austin, Frantz, Braiden, Xiong, Chenxi, Bott, Robert, Cline, Travis, Dubiel, Ben, Dietz, J Eric
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2022
• Subjects: Civil Defense; Humans; Recreation; Systems Analysis
• ISSN: 1543-5865
• DOI: 10.5055/jem.0561

Each year theme parks can see up to 20 million patrons, but often little effort is put into planning for an emergency evacuation. In this study, we built a multiagent simulation model using AnyLogic® 8.5.1. The model was based on a preliminary design of a theme park provided by AOA Builds, Orlando. This research had two goals: the first was to compare evacuation time when the park is full (1) using only the main guest gate and (2) using all seven available exits. The second goal was to model first responder response time between various start and end locations within the park. Using only the main gate, evacuation took an average of 14 minutes and 51 seconds. Using all seven gates results in an average evacuation time of 11 minutes and 58 seconds. This was due to a gate being overwhelmed causing a delay in overall evacuation time. If that gate is not included in the calculation, the average evacuation time drops to 6 minutes and 44 seconds. For the purpose of measuring response times, four starting locations were chosen with the guidance of a subject matter expert. These locations included response teams positioned at the front gate, at a police station, at the service area behind a main attraction, and mobile patrol walking around the park. Based on our testing, walking around the park was the best option in terms of response time, using the main gate was 53.7 percent faster than other options and, using all seven gates, was 60.7 percent faster during an evacuation using all seven exits.