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Physical evacuation drills are pre-planned activities to train building occupants in facing emergencies and evaluate safety performances. Nowadays, technologies including Virtual Reality (VR) and Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) are shifting from the physical to the virtual paradigm. AR enables just to extend real-world environment, while VR and IVR allow to (re)create and manipulate digital environments. VR and IVR simulation systems have been observed to guarantee higher involvement and long-term information retention — leveraging more attractive experiences and psychological arousal. However, efforts should be provided to improve end-user training while assessing occupants' behaviors and the effectiveness of the emergency plan. This paper proposes a systematic literature review of VR and IVR evacuation solutions. To support and guide such effort, we formulated thirteen structured research questions investigating scenarios, recipients, requirements, objectives, methods, and technologies. The results mainly show that VR and IVR drills almost entirely tackle a single hazard, considers occupants as sole system recipients, and lack systems formalization. Among the most relevant outcomes, the paper analyzes the need for enhancing the modeling of emergency systems (e.g., signage, alarms), user inclusiveness (i.e., impaired individuals), devices, non-player characters, and additional effects (e.g., heat reproduction, sounds, and smells). These measures can improve the level of realism experienced by the user of IVR simulators and pave the way to more reliable outcomes. • Investigating (Immersive) Virtual Reality (I)VR evacuation drill systems. • Applying a systematic literature review methodology. • Environment, User, Interaction, hazards, and Technology characterization. • Perspectives, Strengths, and drawbacks analysis of current solutions. • Need for impaired user inclusiveness and (multi)-hazard characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A critical review integrating the scientometric analysis is prosed. • An objective quantitative visualization is developed to summarize the extent, geographic distribution, and multidisciplinary knowledge related to the domain of soft computing applications for emergency evacuation studies. • A framework with current research hotspots is built for crowd modelling, evacuation simulation, and optimizations. • The research frontiers of the topic, method, and technology can serve as a guideline to incorporate the elements of evacuation and hybrid soft computing approaches. Emergency evacuation is viewed as a common strategy adopted during the disaster preparedness stage of evacuation to ensure the safety of potentially affected populations. In emergency evacuation studies, soft computing approaches and methodologies have been widely used to support effective decision-making, providing robust and low-cost solutions. To understand the current status and trends of research on soft computing applications for emergency evacuation studies, 778 related studies published in the core database of Web of Science from 2000 to 2020 were considered in this study. A scientometric analysis and a comprehensive review were performed using a scientific mapping of the knowledge domain. This paper presents a set of analyses with the following primary objectives: (1) to explore and visualize the bibliometric characteristics and contents of the academic field concerned with the soft computing approaches for emergency evacuation; and (2) to review and analyze the knowledge, hotspots, and future outlooks related to soft computing approaches for emergency evacuation. The results provide some important insights regarding the existing soft computing methods that have been used in the emergency evacuation field over the past 20 years. Based on the conducted review, this paper proposes that future studies should concentrate on exploring the potential of innovative soft computing approaches for crowd modelling and enabling more accurate evacuation simulation and optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The paper proposes a framework to respond to crises rapidly and effectively. • The framework includes context assessment and response planning and execution phases. • Contextualisation, creativity and improvisation are key factors of the response. • The areas of intervention include government, interfaces, operations and monitoring. • Incremental adaptive cycles, based on creativity and improvisation, are needed. The increasing number of disasters of natural and technological origin represents a significant challenge for countries and organisations globally. Scholars complain about the lack of models and guidelines to navigate the 'during' phase of disaster management, particularly in the contexts of crises characterised by unprecedented or unclear demands. This paper retrospectively analyses the case of an urban shoring-up by the Italian National Fire Department in the wake of the L'Aquila earthquake in 2009. Despite the situation's unprecedented demands and extreme complexity, this case is viewed as one of the most effective responses in the history of crisis management in Italy. Empirical evidence collected from interviews and documents was used to formulate a process framework that could help guide a response to crises rapidly and effectively: the Timing Response to a crisis by Incremental Adaptive Launching (TRIAL) process. The process outlines how context assessment and response planning and execution can be developed, how key factors – contextualisation, creativity and improvisation – interact during the response and what skills are needed to find and develop an effective response during crises. Taking into account the results obtained in its first applications, strengths and limitations of the TRIAL process are also identified in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper provides a global review of literature relating to the evaluation of national policy addressing work-related psychosocial issues and psychological health. • Results show the literature is scarce in countries outside of Europe. • Methodological approaches and reviewed and future recommendations are provided. • The findings and implications from the existing policy evaluation literature are summarised and areas for future research presented. This paper presents a critical appraisal of the international literature in relation to national work health and safety (WHS) policy evaluation for the management of psychosocial hazards and risks and the protection of work-related psychological health. We reviewed policy evaluation publications from the last 20 years (i.e. between 2001 and 2021). In total, 26 publications were identified and analysed based on: the origin of the research, participants involved, data collection strategies and the data analysis techniques. As an additional component of this review we also synthesised the key findings and implications derived from current policy evaluation efforts. Results support the need for more international research beyond Europe and Australia, and data collection from a more diverse pool of participants (e.g. workers, inspectors, regulators). Understanding the current body of knowledge provides a valuable resource for guiding the future development of informed and high-quality evaluation research and practice, as well as sharing knowledge across countries with the goal to improve psychosocial work conditions globally. The value of this paper is that it provides a clear overview of the current research status, in addition to suggestions for progressing future policy evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Low technical factors and distorted emergency information are sufficient conditions for cross-regional emergency cooperation in especially major and major accidents and disasters rescue. • There are three path models including the Autonomous regulation path, the System driven path, and the Demand generation path. • The possibility of Autonomous regulation path is greater than that of the other two paths. Promoting the development of cross-regional emergency cooperation is critical to emergency management. This paper's primary goal is to determine the influencing factors and generation mechanism of cross-regional emergency cooperation during accidents and disasters rescue. The qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) method is used to study 26 especially major and major accidents and disasters rescue, aiming to answer the following three questions. First, which factors have the most significant impact on emergency cooperation? Second, how is emergency cooperation generated based on influencing factors? Third, what combination of influencing factors is more likely to produce cross-regional emergency cooperation? Based on the literature review, the influencing factors of cross-regional emergency cooperation include the subjects, objects, environment, methods, regulations, and guarantees of emergency management. There are three path models for cross-regional emergency cooperation in especially major and major accidents and disasters rescue, including the Autonomous regulation path, the System driven path, and the Demand generation path. The possibility of Autonomous regulation cross-regional emergency cooperation is greater than that of the other two paths. Cross-regional emergency cooperation strategies are proposed to build a comprehensive system of cross-regional emergency cooperation environment, regulations, and guarantees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A statistical methodology and the Behavioral Pattern during Disaster Indicator (BPDI) for predicting humans' behaviors during disasters are proposed. • The potential of a lack of significant correlations between typical behavioral factors found in the literature and behavioral patterns during disasters is identified. • The controlled behavioral pattern seems to be dominant across respective patterns both at the individual level and the level of the total population. • The BPDI indicator can be an effective tool for disaster management authorities to apply towards predicting human behaviors during disasters. The importance of the human factor during catastrophic events is increasingly being highlighted in the field of disaster management as human behaviors critically affect the propagation of disasters and the extent of damage they cause. Despite the attempted efforts, the complexities and the inherent difficulties in modeling human behaviors still prevent from an effective tool for predicting them during disasters. This paper contributes to this course of research by proposing a methodology to construct a predictive indicator, namely the Behavioral Pattern during Disaster Indicator (BPDI). First, a systematic literature review on the identification and the relations between behavioral factors, behavioral patterns and humans' reactions during catastrophic events is performed. The review presents also the main typologies for modeling the human factor in the context of disaster management. Then based on the review findings, the paper proposes a statistical methodology that comprises correlation and ordinal regression analysis for constructing a predictive indicator. The methodology is applied to a case study that was created in the context of this research. A questionnaire survey that yielded 573 responses is used for identifying the effect of 18 factors on the adoption of one or more among three behavioral patterns. Several conclusions are drawn through the methodology's application with the most significant one being the potential of a lack of significant correlations between behavioral factors and patterns during catastrophic events. The final output of this research, i.e., the BPDI indicator can be an effective tool that is easy for disaster management authorities to apply towards predicting human behaviors during disastrous events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human Behaviour during emergency situations is a crucial component of any response. The ability of responders to effectively engage with casualties is critical to ensuring that any instructions given are followed and in doing assist rather than hinder the response. In order to improve the likelihood of this occurring it is essential to understand what drives decision making during emergencies in order to be able to effectively influence these. This paper will seek to establish what these behaviours are likely to be and what is likely to influence these in order to inform responder tactics and training. This paper seeks to develop a psychological model of casualty behaviour during a hazardous materials evacuation. The study utilises a survey of members of the public evacuated from their homes or places of work due to a fire impacting an ammonia tank in February 2019 at the Ocado distribution warehouse in Andover. The results of this survey were used to validate a hypothesised psychological model utilising Path Analysis. The research identifies the importance of recognising the ability of casualties involved in emergency situations to remain rational and utilise information and instructions given to them. The paper highlights the importance which trust plays in engaging with casualties in order to provide effective information and instructions and how trust is constructed of both legitimacy and competency and influenced by the communications of responders. Most crucially the paper identified how trust during an emergency situation is the key driver of whether casualties are likely to co-operate with instructions and emergency responders. The research utilised real world data to validate findings demonstrating the need for emergency responders to effectively engage with casualties and has implications for both guidance and training of emergency responders in managing casualties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A comprehensive review of eight natural and man-made extreme events is presented. • Risk-Informed evaluation of critical infrastructures preparedness is carried out. • Incompatible preparedness of critical infrastructures was observed. • A comprehensive multi-hazard risk assessment and management framework is developed. • R4: redundancy, robustness, resilience and relocation of the nearby population. Critical Infrastructures such as hospitals, power stations and communication centers play a crucial role in the performance of economy and society. Over the last few decades, the number and variety of infrastructures grew rapidly and the interdependencies between them have increased. Consequently, more and more essential services depend on the continuous performance of one, two or even more critical infrastructures such as power supply, communications, etc. It is therefore critical to ensure reliable and robust performance of critical infrastructures on a continuous basis, particularly upon the occurrence of extreme events. This paper presents a review of the contemporary state of preparedness of critical infrastructures, through a comprehensive literature review of significant extreme events that occurred in the past three decades. An effort to identify the common denominators between the different extreme events was carried out in order to universalize the discussion and stimulate thought-provoking conclusions on the present conditions of critical infrastructures and their implications in terms of preparedness, risk assessment, and disaster management. The review reveals incompatibility between the increasing risk and the actual preparedness of critical infrastructure to extreme events. The potential risk is further magnified because of the high and increasing interdependencies between CIs that were observed. A comprehensive framework of multi-hazards risk assessment and management of mitigation strategies as a decision support tool is proposed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Systems thinking applied to road tunnels. • Insight into the development of tunnel standards and tunnel safety in Norway, "the tunnel country". • Overview of challenges associated with the emergency preparedness processes in seven major Norwegian tunnel fires. • A discussion that improve the understanding of the concept "safety constraints". Efficient emergency response is key to preventing major losses in tunnel fires. Our general concern in this paper is the degree to which tunnel systems are prepared and the means by which we can be prepared for a major fire in a single-tube road tunnel. Conformance to prescriptive regulations dominates existing practice in the area of emergency preparedness. Risk-based approaches exist but have little influence on emergency preparedness designs for tunnel systems. A successful emergency response to tunnel fires is dependent on many actors collaborating under serious time constraints. Safety becomes a matter of controlling critical processes necessary to keep the system in a safe state. Efficient decision-making in situations of major uncertainty is vital, to achieve safety goals. This essentially means that efficient emergency preparedness for road tunnels is a matter that needs attention in the early design phases and continuous improvements during the operational phase. To achieve high-performance emergency preparedness against tunnel fires, there is a need for radical changes to the design and operation of tunnels. In this paper, it is claimed that a system-theoretic approach is appropriate to deal with the tunnel system's complexity and to drive the design of appropriate control structures for critical processes, from the design phase to the actual emergency. It is shown how system theoretic approaches will change the safety management practices for tunnels and how this will increase consistency between potential fire scenarios and associated control actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A three-layer analytical framework for synthesizing the PES literature is proposed. • The use of high-fidelity PES approaches has become more prevalent over time. • The adaptability of PES models to different evacuation scenarios is limited. • Human behavioral mechanism modeling is the driving force for PES model advancement. • Verification and validation are the major challenges for PES tools. Pedestrian evacuation simulation (PES) provides a low-cost and low-risk method to facilitate safety design and emergency management in indoor environment by describing pedestrian evacuation behaviors and predicting evacuation outcomes in what-if scenarios. The area of PES has witnessed rapid growth over the past few decades, but there lacks an up-to-date review of the existing literature that could comprehensively reflect the latest advancements in this area. To address this need, this paper proposes a three-layer analytical framework for synthesizing the abundant literature on PES approaches, PES models and PES tools, and presents a systematic review of the state of the art in the PES area. The findings point out that (1) the use of high-fidelity PES approaches has become more prevalent over time; (2) the adaptability of PES models to different evacuation scenarios is relatively limited; (3) modeling of human behavioral mechanism is the driving force for PES model advancement; and (4) verification and validation are the major challenges for PES tools. Finally, the paper outlines possible directions for future research and discusses specific challenges to address for each direction. This paper is expected to benefit academics and professionals whose work requires the use of PES tools, provoke innovative studies that would push the boundaries of this area, and advance the understanding of pedestrian evacuation behavioral mechanisms and behavioral intervention measures, which would ultimately lead to enhanced human safety in indoor emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The problem of hospital evacuation during a major flood is being investigated. • An integrated model with a flood simulator and an optimisation model is developed. • To address the uncertainties associated with hospital evacuation during a flood, a robust possibilistic programming optimisation model is present. • The proposed model aids emergency decision-making by determining when and how different types of patients must be evacuated to receiving hospitals. • A hypothetical evacuation of hospitals in Hawkesbury-Nepean River, NSW, Australia, exemplifies model applications. The frequency and severity of floods is increasing in many countries, and hospitals play an essential role in protecting the community from their potentially devastating impacts. However, many hospitals are vulnerable to flooding having been designed and located without these risks in mind. In such situations, evacuation of vulnerable patients to safer alternative healthcare facilities might be the most reasonable response. However, there has been little research into hospital evacuation, and to address this research gap, this paper presents an innovative hospital evacuation model that can facilitate the optimal scheduling and sequencing of hospital evacuation under indeterministic flooding conditions. The proposed model combines a flood simulator and a mathematical model. Assuming the high levels of complexity of a realistic hospital evacuation system, a Benders-Decomposition approach is developed to cope with large size problems. A case study in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, is used to illustrate the proposed model, and results confirm that the model can generate effective plans to evacuate hospitals in the shortest time possible in flood emergency conditions. The findings of this study contribute new theoretical and practical insights to a growing body of knowledge about disaster response strategies in hospitals and have implications for health service management and health policymakers in countries where health infrastructures are vulnerable to increasing climate change risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildfires are a persistent threat for both people and the environment. These events are increasingly frequent and destructive and require effective responses that take into account multiple constrains and conflicting goals. In this paper, the problem of wildfire management is addressed focusing on preventing measures to avoid the uncontrolled spread of fire. Among them, fire-fighting lines are an effective way to stop fire from spreading beyond them. The Firebreak Location problem models the optimal positioning of fire-fighting lines within a territory with budget constrains while minimizing the risk that fires reaches valuable areas. Due to the hardness of the problem, heuristic approaches are applied to variations of the original problem. Fire spread can also be reduced up to a fixed limit applying fuelbreaks (strips of land in which the fuel load is reduced) and prescribed burning. These techniques are discussed in the Land Management problem that can be seen as a generalization of the Firebreak Location problem. For each of the problems above, theoretical and experimental results are presented. • A new model is developed to reduce the risk associated with wildfires. • The problem is addressed as a graph optimization problem under budget constraints. • The problem is generally NP-hard. • We show that in some cases the problem can be solved in polynomial time. • Approximated solutions are devised through graph partitioning and genetic algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Stated preference survey of total evacuation time perception in airplane emergency. • Air passengers' attention to cabin safety information was found still insufficient. • People treat crew guidance and the number of available exits as the leading factors. • Knowledge and experience reduce people's estimation of airplane evacuation time. • The ability to stay calm helps people have a shorter evacuation time perception. It is difficult to observe people's actual evacuation behavior in case of a real aircraft accident. For one, luckily, because aircraft incidences have very low probabilities, and for another, because when faced with such extreme situations people often resort to very unexpected behavior. A way to obtain people's responses to an airplane emergency is then to estimate people's perceptions of the total evacuation time. In this paper, a stated preference analysis containing eight airplane evacuation attributes was carried out by nine hypothetical aircraft accident scenarios. The experiment adopted a fractional factorial design to reduce the survey size and obtained 192 effective responses. A cumulative odds ordinal logistic regression with proportional odds was performed and results showed the model has a good data fit. The following findings were revealed from this study. First, for the onboard safety briefings, the efficiency of safety broadcasting is better than crew demonstrations and safety cards, but the overall attention from passengers to the cabin safety announcements is still inadequate. Second, in passengers' perception, the lack of crew guidance would slow the evacuation the most while more available exits reduce the evacuation time primarily. Third, being knowledgeable about and more experienced in flying has a significant effect in reducing people's perception of evacuation time. Finally, higher self-reported levels in the ability to stay calm are associated with a shorter estimation of the evacuation time. These findings may help optimize the understanding of air passengers' behavior in emergencies and improve the preparedness for aircraft emergency evacuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The whole safety production accidents of coal mines in Guizhou Province were analyzed. • The time–space dynamic evolution of coal and gas outburst accidents were proposed. • Coal and gas outburst accidents, influence factors and suggestions in Guizhou Province were studied. The safety situation of coal mines in Guizhou has been improving for many years, but coal and gas outburst accidents continue to occur. This paper analyzes the safety situation of coal mines in Guizhou by collecting data on accidents and disasters in the last decade: 2011–2020. The distribution characteristics, time–space dynamic evolution, and factors influencing coal and gas outburst disasters were studied. Countermeasures and safety management suggestions for disaster prevention and control were proposed. Our analysis shows that the primary disasters occurring in coal mines in Guizhou province are gas, roof, and water disasters, which are mainly distributed in the western and northern regions, as well as closely related to the complex geological conditions in the region. Coal and gas outburst is the most serious disaster threatening the safety of coal mines in Guizhou province in the last decade. The occurrence and development of gas outburst accidents presents three stages. The coal and gas outburst disasters mostly occurred in the driving face in the last decade, while their distribution showed obvious regional characteristics. In particular, Liupanshui, Bijie, and southwest Guizhou have a greater risk of coal and gas outbursts. Thus, it is necessary to focus on and formulate strict and effective outburst prevention measures when performing mining operations. Finally, according to hazard analysis, objective factors and management factors underlying coal mine disasters in Guizhou, specific countermeasures, and safety management policy suggestions of government and enterprises are provided. This research has certain significance for the safety supervision by the government and the staff engaged in the prevention and control of coal and gas outbursts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concepts of Situational Awareness (SA) and Common Operational Picture (COP) are closely related and well-acknowledged to be crucial factors for effective emergency management. In multi-agency operations, such as extreme weather events, the involved first responders manage the event with different mandates, objectives, and tools which can make it challenging to build a COP. Effective collaboration requires a common situational understanding, based on knowledge about each other's responsibilities and tasks, mutual respect and trust, as well as common communication tools for emergency communication and information sharing. This paper argues that the COP serves as a basis for deciding on further action, and thus represents a first stage in the process of establishing common situational understanding among the involved actors. The empirical basis for the study includes interviews with Norwegian emergency management stakeholders, analysis of audio-logs, and review of public documents. Based on the analysis we present a framework comprising activities and processes involved in establishing a COP as a basis for common situational understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The characteristics of residents' livelihood capital, evacuation and relocation willingness were analyzed. • The correlations between residents' livelihood capital, evacuation and relocation willingness were explored. • Livelihood capital is an important influence on residents' willingness to relocate. Evacuation and relocation are the most effective ways for residents to avoid disasters, and can ensure the property and safety of life. Therefore, it is of great significance for regional disaster risk management systems to explore the driving factors of residents' willingness to evacuate and relocate from earthquake-stricken areas. However, few scholars have quantitatively explored the relationships between residents' livelihood capital and their evacuation and relocation willingness, with consideration of residents' livelihood sustainability. According to the research objectives, stratified sampling and equal probability random sampling were used to determine the sample farmers, and the survey data of 327 households in Wenchuan and Lushan earthquake-stricken areas were obtained. This paper analyzed the characteristics of residents' livelihood capital, evacuation and relocation willingness, and used ordinary least squares (OLS) to explore correlations between residents' livelihood capital, evacuation and relocation willingness. The results show that: (1) the livelihood capital of residents is mainly comprised of human capital and social capital. Facing the threat of earthquake disaster, 40.98% and 28.75% of residents would be strongly willing to evacuate or relocate, respectively. (2) Livelihood capital is an important influence on residents' willingness to relocate; the higher the scores of natural capital, the weaker the willingness of residents to relocate. From the perspective of rural households' sustainable livelihoods, this study deepens our understanding of evacuation and relocation behaviors and decision-making by residents of the most earthquake-stricken areas. Thus, it provides useful information for regional disaster risk management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]