JAUE2018-061 A Study on Evacuation Behavior Characteristics Reflecting Cognition of Disaster Information Maps

Abstract

Amidst global climate change, massive typhoons, floods, and other extreme weather events are being reported with increasing frequency. Of note, localized heavy rains falling at a rate of 100 mm per hour and the resulting precipitation patterns are flooding cities and increasing casualties and property damage. The safety of residents in flood-prone areas is another subject met with high risks. Despite the challenge, South Korea currently lacks research in nonstructural rescue operations, with proper disaster control systems yet to be established. As a response to the calls for research, this study divided the participants into Groups A and B, the former having prior experience with evacuation routes presented on the disaster information maps (Disaster Maps) and the latter having no such experience. Both groups participated in a task of wayfinding and were given a post-experimentation survey on the wayfinding process. Based on the findings, guidelines are to be provided for a flood prevention system that would enable citizens to read the maps and evacuate promptly in emergency cases.