The influence of human factors on the motor ability of passengers during the evacuation of ferries and cruise ships

摘要

This paper presents the influence that human factors play to the motor ability of passengers during the evacuation of passenger ferries and cruise ships. A purpose built facility, which simulated the dynamic roll and list of a vessel in distress, was commissioned to model the impact of dynamic and quasi-static vessel motions on the ability of passengers to egress through a vessel corridor. An evacuation study, in which 985 volunteers participated, was conducted to quantify the safe and orderly evacuation speed of 'normal' passengers in realistic circumstances. A number of case studies were also conducted which address the influence of human factors on evacuation such as age, disability, gender, group movement and infant support. Qualitative and quantitative assessments of these parameters are discussed herein.