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Introduction Evacuation from tunnel fire emergencies may become problematic if tunnel occupants do not engage quickly enough into evacuation. Dangerous goods transporters increase the risks tunnel occupants are exposed to. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of an increased risk during a simulated tunnel emergency on participants' subjective hazard perception and evacuation behavior. Methods Using a five sided CAVE system, two experimental groups were immersed into a virtual road tunnel fire emergency. In the dangerous goods condition a burning gasoline transporter was visible. In the control condition a burning heavy goods vehicle was visible. Hazard perception, pre-movement time, movement time and exit choices were analyzed. Results In the dangerous goods condition the situation was rated significantly more dangerous than in the control condition. In both conditions participants showed appropriate behavioral reactions and either moved to an emergency exit or to an emergency phone. Discussion In combination with the high threat ratings the results indicate good situation awareness of the participants, and that emergency signage in the given visibility conditions was effective in guiding participants towards an exit or to an emergency phone.

Introduction Evacuation from tunnel fire emergencies requires quick decision-making and swift action from the tunnel occupants. Social influence (SI) has been identified as an important factor in evacuation. Methods Two experimental groups were immersed into a virtual road tunnel fire. In the SI group participants saw a virtual agent moving on the shortest route to the nearest emergency exit. In the control group, participants were alone. Destination and exit choices were analyzed using functional analysis and inferential statistics. Results SI affected route choice during evacuation but not destination choice: There were no group differences regarding destination choice. Participants in the SI group were more likely to choose a route similar to the virtual agent. Participants in the control group were more likely to choose a longer route along the tunnel walls. Discussion Social influence does not only affect behavior activation but also more subtle choices, such as route choice, during evacuation.