Virtual Reality Analysis of Leadership Dynamics and Pedestrian Choices in Mass Gathering Evacuations

Abstract:

Background: The global increase in urbanization and population density has led to larger events with significant crowding challenges. Overcrowding, often due to inadequate planning, heightens the risk of disasters during pedestrian evacuations. Understanding pedestrian behavior and decision-making during such evacuations is essential for improving safety. The presence of a leader during evacuations can facilitate quicker and safer navigation, enhancing crowd management and mitigating potential risks.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the conditions that drive individuals to follow a leader during evacuations in mass gatherings, utilizing virtual reality (VR) to overcome the limitations of conventional experimental methods.

Methods: We employed the Virtual Immersive Reality Experiment (VIRE) to conduct controlled experiments in a simulated outdoor mass gathering. This immersive environment allowed precise control over experimental factors without exposing participants to real hazards. A total of 27 participants between the ages of 18 and 39 took part in the study, including 20 males (74%) and 7 females (26%). Seven independent variables were analyzed: stress level, leadership type, time of day, leader credibility, leader gender, participant familiarity with the route, and crowd-following behavior, each assessed at two levels. Participants' heart rates were recorded throughout the experiment to evaluate the impact of emergency conditions on their physiological responses.

Results: Behavioral data and physiological responses were statistically analyzed using chi-square tests to determine the significance of relationships between the independent variables and participants' intentions to follow the leader. The findings demonstrated that route familiarity, stress level, leader credibility, and time of day significantly influence pedestrians' decisions to follow the leader during evacuations. Participants exhibited a greater tendency to follow the leader during normal evacuations under insufficient lighting conditions, particularly when unfamiliar with the routes. Conversely, their inclination to follow the leader diminished significantly when the leader made mistakes in navigation. Results of the t-test revealed a significant relationship between participants' heart rates and stress levels, indicating that participants in emergency evacuations experience heightened anxiety, leading to irrational behavior and reduced compliance with the leader.

Conclusion: The study finds that in normal conditions and unfamiliar environments with inadequate lighting, the presence of a credible leader significantly improves evacuation safety and efficiency during mass gatherings. It is crucial for the leader to provide correct information, as incorrect guidance undermines trust and disrupts the evacuation process. These findings suggest strategies to enhance pedestrian safety during mass gatherings and reduce the risk of crowd-related accidents and injuries.

Keywords: Crowd evacuation, Mass gatherings, Route choice, Leader, Virtual Reality (VR), Crowd management.