Effects of communication and utility-based decision making in a simple model of evacuation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a cellular automaton model of evacuation decision-making where agents choose exits based on utility and communication, revealing optimal performance at intermediate communication levels.

Contribution

It presents a novel model integrating utility-based decisions and communication in evacuation scenarios, highlighting their combined effects on evacuation efficiency.

Findings

Optimal evacuation performance occurs at intermediate communication levels.

Communication influences decision-making, reducing jamming and improving flow.

The model captures complex interactions and phase transitions during evacuation.

Abstract

We present a simple cellular automaton based model of decision making during evacuation. Evacuees have to choose between two different exit routes, resulting in a strategic decision making problem. Agents take their decisions based on utility functions, these can be revised as the evacuation proceeds, leading to complex interaction between individuals and to jamming transitions. The model also includes the possibility to communicate and exchange information with distant agents, information received may affect the decision of agents. We show that under a wider range of evacuation scenarios performance of the model system as a whole is optimal at an intermediate fraction of evacuees with access to communication.