Evacuation Modelling
Utrymningsmodellering

VBRP01, 7.5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2026/27
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED BI/RH
Date of Decision: 2026-04-09

General Information

Main field: Technology Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Elective for: BR4-bsa
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English

Aim

The course provides students with deep knowledge on evacuation modelling in complex situations in buildings, transportation systems and in case of large-scale evacuations in outdoor settings. This includes complex evacuation dynamics phenomena and scenarios as well as coupling of fire modelling with evacuation simulations. Different types of modelling approaches will be covered, considering a wide range of settings, evacuation strategies, environmental conditions (e.g. reduced visibility, toxicity, etc.) and population types (e.g., children, people with functional limitations). The use of Virtual Reality simulations for the study of human behaviour in fire is also studied. The course also focusses on understanding uncertainty in model results and ethics in the use of model results.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to explain in depth the assumptions in evacuation models and their implications on results.
• be able to make use of human behaviour in fire knowledge into evacuation models
• be able to understand the use of Virtual Reality technology in the evacuation field.
• be able to assess in detail the impact of typical personal and environmental variables on the simulation of movement of people
• be able to describe how people are affected by combustion products and how this is applied in evacuation simulations.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to choose appropriate occupant behavioural scenarios and model inputs for complex evacuation scenarios.
• be able to perform advanced analysis of results from evacuation simulations and relate the results to the model assumptions.
• be able to couple results from fire and evacuation models.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to apply relevant ethical and scientific aspects relating to the analysis of complex evacuation simulations.

Contents

The course covers the application of evacuation models based on knowledge of people's ability to move and expected actions in the event of a fire. Different application situations will be considered, such as evacuation from buildings, transportation systems and outdoor settings. Theories about human behaviour in fire should be put into a modelling context. Different ways of presenting an evacuation situation are included. The main part of the course is carried out through lectures, seminars, and mandatory assignments. During the course, the students also carry out group work. The course ends with an exam.

Examination details

Grading scale: UG - (U, G) - (Fail, Pass)
Assessment:

Grading scale: UG – (Pass or Fail)

Assessment: Passing grade is based on an exam and mandatory assignments.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0126. Name: Oral Exam.
Credits: 5.0. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Approved oral exam The module includes: Oral exam Further information:
Code: 0226. Name: Home Assignments.
Credits: 2.5. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Approved assignments The module includes: Two individual assignments and one group assignment.

Admission

Admission requirements:

• VBRN10 Human Behaviour in Fire

Reading list

• Kinateder, M., Ronchi, E., Nilsson, D., Kobes, M., Müller, M., Pauli, P., & Mühlberger, A: Virtual reality for fire evacuation research - In 2014 federated conference on computer science and information systems (pp. 313-321). IEEE, 2014.
• Ronchi, E: Developing and validating evacuation models for fire safety engineering. Fire Safety Journal, 120, 103020, 2021.
• Ronchi, E., Kuligowski, E. D., Reneke, P. A., Peacock, R. D., & Nilsson, D: The process of verification and validation of building fire evacuation models - Report 1822. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, USA, 2013.
• Ronchi, E., & Nilsson, D: Pedestrian movement in smoke: theory, data and modelling approaches - In Crowd Dynamics, Volume 1: Theory, Models, and Safety Problems (pp. 37-62). Springer International Publishing, 2019.

Contact

Course coordinator: Enrico Ronchi, enrico.ronchi@brand.lth.se
Course administrator: Linnéa Ekman, linnea.ekman@med.lu.se
Examinator: Silvia Arias, silvia.arias@brand.lth.se

Further information

Active participation in group work is required. Each group member must be able to report and be responsible for the content individually. If a group member does not fulfil the requirements for active participation, or disregards their commitments, they can be reassigned by the examiner to another group or get a fail result.

Generative AI may be used in a similar way as other tools used for gathering information. Using the resulting text, figure, code or similar created by a GAI tool is treated as deceptive and is treated as cheating. The use of GAI tools shall be stated in written material for examination. Recommendation on the use of GAI tools is presented on the course area on Canvas.