Development of a microsimulation-based mass evacuation model for persons needing mobility assistance

This research proposes a framework for microsimulation modelling of traffic evacuation, considering persons needing mobility assistance (PMA). The study develops a hybrid approach to evaluate four designated evacuation routes under different network conditions. These routes are incorporated into a microsimulation model utilizing dynamic traffic assignment for regular vehicles and pre-defined assignment for emergency vehicles (EVs). The model executes three traffic conditions under two scenarios to evaluate the Average Evacuation Time (AET) for an EV exiting the Halifax peninsula. The first scenario, ‘Out of Danger Zone' (ODZ), determines AET to exit the peninsula, while the second, ‘To the Shelter Location’ (TSL), evaluates AET to reach designated shelters. The results show that routes 1 and 4 are the fastest under case 3 for both scenarios, while case 2 is the most realistic. Under case 2, route 2 is the fastest for ODZ, and route 1 for TSL. The suggested method supports policymakers in planning PMA evacuations.