An Experimental Validation of an Evacuation Model using Data Sets Generated from Two Large Passenger Ships

Two evacuation model validation data sets collected as part of the EU FP7 project SAFEGUARD are presented. The data were collected from a RO-PAX ferry operated by Color Line (RP1) and a cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International (CS). The trials were semi-unannounced assembly trials at sea and involved some 1349 and 2500 passengers, respectively. The trials took place at an unspecified time; however, passengers were aware that on their voyage, an assembly exercise would take place. The validation data sets consist of passenger response times, starting locations, end locations, and arrival times in the assembly stations. The validation data were collected using a novel data acquisition system consisting of ship-mounted beacons, each emitting unique infrared (IR) signals and IR data logging tags worn by each passenger. The results from blind simulations using maritinneEXODUS for these assembly trials are presented and compared with the measured data. Three objective measures are proposed to assess the goodness of fit between the predicted model data and the measured data.