Fire-Induced Evacuation in Concert Venues: An Agent-Based Simulation Approach Using NetLogo

Ensuring the safe and efficient evacuation of large crowds from event venues is a critical aspect of public safety and emergency management. This paper presents a simulation study employing an agent-based model to analyze evacuation dynamics in a concert venue with dimensions of 68 x 53 meters and a maximum occupancy of 3,500 individuals. Recent studies in crowd evacuation have increasingly utilized computational models to simulate human behavior and optimize escape strategies, with agent-based modeling standing out as a widely applied approach to study pedestrian movement and emergency responses. Previous research has examined factors like obstacles, exit placement, and fire spread to understand their impact on evacuation efficiency. This study advances the literature by using NetLogo to simulate two distinct evacuation scenarios: (1) a normal evacuation in which individuals exit in an orderly manner, and (2) an emergency evacuation triggered by a dynamically spreading fire, influencing agent decisions and movement patterns. The simulation accounts for crowd density, movement behavior, fire progression, and individual response times, providing a comprehensive evaluation of evacuation outcomes. Results demonstrate notable differences in evacuation efficiency between the normal and fire-induced scenarios, with fire emergencies leading to increased congestion and delays caused by agent rerouting behavior. This study highlights the role of agent-based simulations in improving evacuation modeling, providing valuable guidance for venue designers, emergency planners, and safety professionals. By emphasizing strategic exit placements and responsive emergency mechanisms, the findings aim to enhance crowd safety in large venues.