Ship evacuation simulation using a game engine: Modelling, testing and validation

The topic of evacuation analysis plays an important role in the maritime field, because of its natural link to safety and also because of relevant SOLAS requirements. In this context, this paper focuses on the description, testing and validation of an agent-based mathematical model. As primary goal, the model has been developed targeting a use in evacuation simulations using immersive virtual reality, also with the possibility of real-time human participation. At the same time, the model is suitable also for standard evacuation simulations. The model has been developed starting from existing social force models and introducing a series of improvements, modifications, new modelling, and adaptations. The model is described in detail, providing and discussing all adopted parameters. The choice of a game engine as development environment is also discussed, highlighting benefits and limitations. Results from IMO test cases, validations using experimental data, and comparisons with FDS+Evac are presented. A more realistic test case, relevant to the maritime field, with a two-cabin-deck geometry is also presented, together with corresponding simulation results. Particular attention is paid to the post-processing and reporting of the results from Monte Carlo simulations, in order to properly reflect, quantify and emphasize the underlying aleatory uncertainty.