ACOUSTICAL GUIDANCE IN ROAD TUNNELS

This study supports that acoustical guidance in road tunnels improves self evacuation in emergencies. An analysis of flight behaviours of people enclosed in a smoke-filled tunnel shows that over 91% of the people can be guided to the nearest emergency exit with the help of acoustic signals. Without acoustical guidance, only 59% of the people evacuate towards the optimal emergency exit. Evacuees are willing to overcome their reluctance to escape forward into the unknown, if clear information about the location of the nearest emergency exit can be provided. Additionally it was made clear that people evacuating unknowingly along the wrong side wall, can be encouraged to cross the smoke-filled tunnel if sound beacons signal an escape possibility on the other side.