Comparative analysis of informational evacuation guidance by lane-based routing

Road networks play a crucial role in modern society, particularly in the case of disasters or in emergency situations. Therefore, urban evacuation roads need to be selected and maintained in order to deal with potential disaster situations. In this study, we suggest methods of selecting emergency evacuation roads, with consideration to performance on linkage and connectivity of road networks in urban areas. Furthermore, we analyse the effects of evacuation guidance information by predetermined evacuation roads and lane-based routing methods. Through network analysis, we have performed quantitative analysis of road networks for a selection of emergency evacuation roads, based on information from the geographic information system (GIS) database. The distribution pattern of traffic volume and the impact of network nodes were also examined. This examination was carried out by using methods of network analysis such as the degree and closeness centralities. The travel pattern and travel time cost of users in disaster situations are analysed through microscopic traffic simulations. By comparing situations before and after roads are disconnected, the impact and effect of each link can be calculated. Total travel time, travel distance and delay time for all evacuees are used to measure each scenario. We found that, through selected evacuation roads, the evacuation time-shortening effect is significant when compared to that of the operation of existing traffic signal systems. Also, the evacuation time-shortening effect is greater when additionally applied to the lane-based routing method on emergency evacuation roads.