Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
York University
$8,000.00
Modelling human behaviour for improving infrastructure in Canada
FY 2019-20
Summary
The goal of this research project is to develop performance based fire design (PBFD) guidance for the Canadian consultancy practitioner to allow for the understanding of human behaviour and the role it has on the design of infrastructure. Human behaviour is a complex subject due to varied demographics and the uncertainties that they present. However, using pedestrian behaviour modelling techniques, these uncertainties can be reduced and incorporated in the design of infrastructure. This Collaborative Research and Development (CRD) project will be a collaboration between ARUP Canada and York University. ARUP Canada is a reputable organization which supports research of pedestrian behaviour modelling through the development of its pedestrian modelling software MassMotion. MassMotion is a software that is being developed to generate alternative solutions to traditional design that can incorporate complex human behaviour with reduced uncertainties. This research project looks at three types of infrastructure: stadiums, museums and retirement and long term care homes. Human behaviour data has been obtained for each infrastructure and this data will be quantified for use in the MassMotion software in order to develop its capabilities of modelling human behaviour with reduced uncertainty, particularly the interactions between staff and building occupants as seen in these structure types. The overarching objectives of the project are to include: (1) exploring issues with pedestrian movement modelling softwares that are currently available such as MassMotion; (2) assessing the designs of three types of common infrastructure which will house diverse populations dependent on staff interaction (care homes, museums, stadiums); (3) developing, validating and verifying MassMotion software for use in emergency evacuation and day-to-day normal ingress and egress operational scenarios; and (4) helping establish input for an appropriate framework for PBFD for consideration into future National Building Code of Canada editions and other North American codes and standards.
Program
Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
523432-2018
Name nom
Gales, John
Department département
Lassonde School of Engineering
Organization id
38
Institution établissement
York University
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2019
Competition year année de concours
2018
Award amount
8000
Program id
CRDPJ
Program name en
Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Program name fr
Subventions de recherche et développement coopérative
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
801
Area of application group en
Information and communication services
Area of application group fr
Services d'information et de télécommunications
Area of application en
Computer software
Area of application fr
Logiciel
Research subject code
1000
Research subject group en
Civil engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie civil
Research subject en
Civil engineering
Research subject fr
Génie civil
Installment
inst:2 - 2
Partie
2
Nb partie
2
Application title
Modelling human behaviour for improving infrastructure in Canada
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
The goal of this research project is to develop performance based fire design (PBFD) guidance for the Canadian consultancy practitioner to allow for the understanding of human behaviour and the role it has on the design of infrastructure. Human behaviour is a complex subject due to varied demographics and the uncertainties that they present. However, using pedestrian behaviour modelling techniques, these uncertainties can be reduced and incorporated in the design of infrastructure. This Collaborative Research and Development (CRD) project will be a collaboration between ARUP Canada and York University. ARUP Canada is a reputable organization which supports research of pedestrian behaviour modelling through the development of its pedestrian modelling software MassMotion. MassMotion is a software that is being developed to generate alternative solutions to traditional design that can incorporate complex human behaviour with reduced uncertainties. This research project looks at three types of infrastructure: stadiums, museums and retirement and long term care homes. Human behaviour data has been obtained for each infrastructure and this data will be quantified for use in the MassMotion software in order to develop its capabilities of modelling human behaviour with reduced uncertainty, particularly the interactions between staff and building occupants as seen in these structure types. The overarching objectives of the project are to include: (1) exploring issues with pedestrian movement modelling softwares that are currently available such as MassMotion; (2) assessing the designs of three types of common infrastructure which will house diverse populations dependent on staff interaction (care homes, museums, stadiums); (3) developing, validating and verifying MassMotion software for use in emergency evacuation and day-to-day normal ingress and egress operational scenarios; and (4) helping establish input for an appropriate framework for PBFD for consideration into future National Building Code of Canada editions and other North American codes and standards.
