{"id":30042,"date":"2026-05-13T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/?p=30042"},"modified":"2026-03-31T13:12:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T11:12:04","slug":"building-evacuation-simulation-cuts-evacuation-time-by-50","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/en\/user-insights\/building-evacuation-simulation-cuts-evacuation-time-by-50\/","title":{"rendered":"Building evacuation simulation cuts evacuation time by 50%"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-context\" data-level=\"2\">Context<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-methods-amp-tools\" data-level=\"2\">Methods &amp; tools<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-building-evacuation-simulation-what-changed-and-why\" data-level=\"2\">Building Evacuation Simulation &#8211; what changed and why<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#h-baseline-diagnosis\" data-level=\"3\">Baseline diagnosis<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-intervention\" data-level=\"3\">Intervention<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-impact\" data-level=\"3\">Impact<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-why-it-works\" data-level=\"2\">Why it works<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-lessons-amp-takeaways\" data-level=\"2\">Lessons &amp; takeaways<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-what-to-do-first-and-why\" data-level=\"2\">What to do first (and why):<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-limitations\" data-level=\"2\">Limitations<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-what-s-next\" data-level=\"2\">What\u2019s next<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>When I first examined the evacuation plan for this university building, I wondered if making small, realistic changes would allow for a faster and safer evacuation. In this article, I will walk you through a building evacuation simulation that I developed using PTV Viswalk software. I will show you the evidence that the simulation produced and explain how you can reuse it in your own projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What you\u2019ll learn:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 How to set up credible agent-based <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/en\/technologyplus\/scenario-manager-in-vissim-and-viswalk-part-ii-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">scenario families<\/a> (occupancy x speed x architecture).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 How to distinguish apparent from actual bottlenecks using measured capacities and room-level KPIs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 How to present results with clear metrics and visuals that facilitate decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although I use one real building as an example, the method and lessons apply globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-context\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The subject is a three-story academic building at a campus of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ceavi.udesc.br\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Santa Catarina State University<\/a> (UDESC) in Ibirama, southern Brazil. The building has classrooms, labs, and offices. The current occupancy is about 508, with a maximum of 1,635 people allowed for educational use. Since crowd dynamics are emerging, I used an agent-based approach in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ptvgroup.com\/en\/resources\/references\/ptv-viswalk-passenger-simulation-amsterdam-main-station-expansion\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PTV Viswalk (within PTV Vissim)<\/a> to ensure that the outcomes would reflect realistic interactions and scale as occupancy increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a05bf32296d9&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a05bf32296d9\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"273\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brazil1-1.png\" alt=\"Campus view for building evacuation simulation site (Bloco Imbuia).\" class=\"wp-image-30026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brazil1-1.png 500w, https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brazil1-1-300x164.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bloco Imbuia on campus &#8211; the study site for this simulation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-methods-amp-tools\"><strong>Methods &amp; tools<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Using PTV Viswalk within PTV Vissim, I built a high-fidelity 3D digital twin to simulate agent-based pedestrian dynamics with realistic interactions, <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/en\/technologyplus\/scenario-manager-in-vissim-and-viswalk-part-ii-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">manage scenarios<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/en\/technologyplus\/scenario-manager-in-vissim-and-viswalk-part-ii-4\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">export KPIs and animations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I varied occupancy (304-1,635 people), walking speed (normal: 1.20 m\/s; fast: 1.53 m\/s; and panic: 3.33 m\/s), and architecture (baseline vs. a modified layout with two new ground-floor exits) across 84 scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To reflect observed behavior, I applied a 50% speed reduction on stairs for vertical movement. For capacity modeling, I used clear (usable) door widths rather than nominal sizes since frames and hardware reduce the effective width at peak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The population represented a typical evening mix, with entries, routes, and destinations calibrated to actual usage of the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The artifacts produced included a <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/en\/user-insights\/pedestrian-simulations-at-oppos-futuristic-shenzhen-tower\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">high-fidelity 3D model<\/a>, density maps, time series, exit use distributions, and room-level time-to-exit metrics across all 84 scenarios, as well as exportable animations for communicating with stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a05bf3229e2b&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a05bf3229e2b\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"267\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_methods-floorplans-digital-twin-slide23.jpg\" alt=\"Floor plans modeled for building evacuation simulation in PTV Vissim\/Viswalk\" class=\"wp-image-30038\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_methods-floorplans-digital-twin-slide23.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_methods-floorplans-digital-twin-slide23-300x160.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Floor plans for the PTV Viswalk digital twin; numbers show room labels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-building-evacuation-simulation-what-changed-and-why\"><strong>Building Evacuation Simulation &#8211; what changed and why<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-baseline-diagnosis\"><strong>Baseline diagnosis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Two stairways connecting the ground floor to the sub-basement forced most occupants to converge before reaching the outside. The exit doors weren\u2019t the issue; the stairs were.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Measured throughputs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stairs:<\/strong> ~49 people per minute (normal walking) and ~80 people per minute (fast walking).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Doors:<\/strong> comfortably above 100 people per minute in all walking speeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These measurements confirmed that resizing the doors alone wouldn\u2019t help because <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/en\/technologyplus\/scenario-manager-in-vissim-and-viswalk-part-ii-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">queues formed at the stairs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Evacuation times at 508 occupants:<\/strong> 6:38 (normal) and 4:38 (fast).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Room level disparities:<\/strong> Some rooms on upper floors &#8211; e.g., 310, 314, and 315 &#8211; had higher average exit times than similar rooms because they fed the busier stair pair. A design can &#8220;work on average&#8221; while causing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ptvgroup.com\/en\/resources\/references\/ptv-visum-ptv-viswalk-solving-stations-capacity-problems\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">significant delays<\/a> in specific locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a05bf322a520&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a05bf322a520\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"268\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_baseline-density-1635-slide36.png\" alt=\"Density map in building evacuation simulation showing stair congestion at 1,635 occupants.\" class=\"wp-image-30028\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_baseline-density-1635-slide36.png 500w, https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_baseline-density-1635-slide36-300x161.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">High densities at ground floor stairs in the baseline.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a05bf322a9c5&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a05bf322a9c5\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"319\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_baseline-stair-capacity-slide28.png\" alt=\"Stair throughput in the building evacuation simulation confirms bottlenecks.\" class=\"wp-image-30030\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_baseline-stair-capacity-slide28.png 500w, https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_baseline-stair-capacity-slide28-300x191.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Stairs, not doors, constrained flow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"08 - Simula\u00e7\u00e3o 5 - Mapa de densidade\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZRpGjRwUXIc?list=PLIrS6brPUgvKgLD8astiO_BdpHreeIFfq\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Baseline, 508 occupants at 1.53 m\/s: stair bottlenecks dominate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-intervention\"><strong>Intervention<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I tested a focused architectural change: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ptvgroup.com\/en\/resources\/references\/ptv-viswalk-transforms-nyc-times-square-building\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">adding two direct outside exits<\/a> on the ground floor. This creates shorter alternative routes for occupants on the ground and upper floors that bypass the constrained <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ptvgroup.com\/en\/resources\/success-stories\/eth-sbb-switzerland-ptv-viswalk-success-story\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ground-to-sub-basement link<\/a>, thus redistributing demand away from the overloaded stair pair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I kept everything else &#8211; occupancy, speeds, and behavior &#8211; constant for a clean, like-for-like comparison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a05bf322afc7&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a05bf322afc7\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"249\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_intervention-new-exits-plan-slide38.jpg\" alt=\"Modified plan in the building evacuation simulation with two new ground floor exits.\" class=\"wp-image-30036\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_intervention-new-exits-plan-slide38.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_intervention-new-exits-plan-slide38-300x149.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Two ground floor exits added to bypass stair bottlenecks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-impact\"><strong>Impact<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 At 508 occupants, the total evacuation time decreased by ~27%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 At 1,635 occupants (the maximum), the time fell by ~51.9%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Beyond code limits (stress tests): With the number of occupants increased to 2,640, the time savings remained at ~47\u201350% across speed settings, which is still substantial under adverse conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The visuals showed that: <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/en\/technologyplus\/scenario-manager-in-vissim-and-viswalk-part-ii-4\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Density heat maps<\/a> shifted from red bands at the original stair cores to a smoother, more even flow across four outbound options. Corridor queues thinned, and the distribution of exit use confirmed load rebalancing (many evacuees moved from previously overloaded exits to the two new ground-floor doors).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a05bf322b5df&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a05bf322b5df\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"126\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_impact-evac-time-gain-slide39.png\" alt=\"Building evacuation simulation results show time reduced by up to ~50%.\" class=\"wp-image-30032\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_impact-evac-time-gain-slide39.png 500w, https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_impact-evac-time-gain-slide39-300x76.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Added exits cut total evacuation time by up to ~50%.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a05bf322ba88&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a05bf322ba88\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"246\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_impact-exit-distribution-slide40.png\" alt=\"Exit use distribution in the building evacuation simulation shows load rebalanced.\" class=\"wp-image-30034\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_impact-exit-distribution-slide40.png 500w, https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ptv-blog_impact-exit-distribution-slide40-300x148.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Demand shifts from exits 1\/4 to the new exits 6\/7.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"04 - Simula\u00e7\u00e3o 23\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6FsLq_U9OS0?list=PLIrS6brPUgvKgLD8astiO_BdpHreeIFfq\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Baseline, 1,635 occupants: queues at core stairs (10:23)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"07 - Simula\u00e7\u00e3o 47\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2_vmHWJ0oWw?list=PLIrS6brPUgvKgLD8astiO_BdpHreeIFfq\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Modified, 1,635 occupants: added exits cut total time to 5:07.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-it-works\"><strong>Why it works<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Evacuation is <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/en\/modeling-planning\/crowd-simulations-football-world-cup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a network flow problem<\/a> that includes human behavior. When vertical elements are scarce, they sit on many of the shortest paths and dominate system performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Adding well-placed ground-floor exits accomplishes three things: it eliminates unnecessary vertical movement for many occupants, shortens path lengths, and reduces exposure to conflict zones. It also breaks up lines at stairwell entrances, unlocking the building&#8217;s existing capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since door throughputs were already high, diverting demand away from the stairs produced significant benefits without the need for complex work. These results confirm that building evacuation simulation reveals vertical constraints that average metrics can hide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-lessons-amp-takeaways\"><strong>Lessons &amp; takeaways<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why this matters<\/strong>: A common pattern emerged across 84 scenarios: in multistory buildings, vertical elements (stairs and ramps) usually determine performance, while doors often have latent capacity. The guidance below generalizes beyond any single code base or building type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Reusable workflow (code-agnostic):<\/strong> Accurately model geometry and clear widths, choose realistic speed distributions, include a stair penalty, <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/en\/technologyplus\/scenario-manager-in-vissim-and-viswalk-part-ii-3\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">run scenario families<\/a> (today, future, stress), and <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/en\/modeling-planning\/scenario-management-one-of-the-key-features-for-traffic-simulation-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">report building-wide and room-level KPIs<\/a>. Wherever you practice, map these steps to your local life-safety framework (e.g., occupant-load factors, people-per-minute flow, travel-distance limits). Only the numeric thresholds change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-to-do-first-and-why\"><strong>What to do first (and why):<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Target vertical constraints.<\/strong> If multiple floors feed through a few stairs, resizing the doors won&#8217;t fix the system. Direct-to-outside options often will by removing unnecessary vertical movement and breaking up the lines at the stairwell entrances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Model what\u2019s usable.<\/strong> Apply clear widths and realistic stair penalties to avoid overestimating capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Look beyond averages.<\/strong> Room-level time-to-exit reveals who is over-delayed and why, exposing inequities masked by building-wide metrics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Plan for growth.<\/strong> At ~500 occupants, times may appear acceptable, but near 1,000+, they become risky. Design with scenario families from day one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Communicate visually.<\/strong> Density maps, exit-use charts, and short animations make trade-offs obvious to non-experts and accelerate decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-limitations\"><strong>Limitations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To mirror typical evening conditions, room headcounts were based on schedules and day-to-day familiarity rather than a formal survey. This approximation did not change the location of the bottlenecks (stairs versus doors) or the benefits of adding two new ground-floor exits. However, this method can easily be improved with a quick occupancy audit or sensor-based counts, and it is worth noting for future studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-s-next\"><strong>What\u2019s next<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m applying the same approach &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/en\/user-insights\/transforming-a-busy-bus-line-a-data-driven-brt-simulation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PTV Viswalk with PTV Vissim<\/a> &#8211; to entrances, forecourts, and parking areas to perform stress tests on peak arrival and departure times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the performance, through building evacuation simulation, is visible and measurable, better designs will follow, often with minor changes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column cta-box is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1254\" height=\"836\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-25406\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iStock-1312502184.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iStock-1312502184.jpg 1254w, https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iStock-1312502184-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iStock-1312502184-936x624.jpg 936w, https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iStock-1312502184-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iStock-1312502184-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1254px) 100vw, 1254px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-80 has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(66,104,249) 28%,rgb(41,224,133) 88%)\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-size:24px;font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Plan safer buildings with PTV Viswalk<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Simulate pedestrian flows, test egress options, <br>and communicate results<br>with evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-14c487f4 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ptvgroup.com\/en\/products\/pedestrian-simulation-software-ptv-viswalk\" style=\"border-radius:8px;color:#6482f6;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\" style=\"min-height:300px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1254\" height=\"836\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-25406\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iStock-1312502184.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iStock-1312502184.jpg 1254w, https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iStock-1312502184-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iStock-1312502184-936x624.jpg 936w, https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iStock-1312502184-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iStock-1312502184-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1254px) 100vw, 1254px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-80 has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(66,104,249) 28%,rgb(41,224,133) 88%)\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-size:24px;font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Plan safer buildings with PTV Viswalk<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Simulate pedestrian flows, test egress options, and communicate results with evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-14c487f4 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ptvgroup.com\/en\/products\/pedestrian-simulation-software-ptv-viswalk\" style=\"border-radius:4px;color:#6482f6;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:700\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:24px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"card-text\">Agent-based modeling with PTV Viswalk shows how two ground floor  exits redistribute flows and slash total evacuation time by up to 50%. [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p class=\"m-0\"><a class=\"btn btn-outline-secondary btn-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/en\/user-insights\/building-evacuation-simulation-cuts-evacuation-time-by-50\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":30040,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8326,8322],"tags":[8404,8387],"ppma_author":[8509],"class_list":["post-30042","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-modeling-planning","category-user-insights","tag-accessibility","tag-transportation-modeling"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Building Evacuation Simulation with PTV Viswalk: Cut time by 50% | PTV Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Building evacuation simulation with PTV Viswalk shows two ground floor exits can cut total egress time by about 50%.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/en\/user-insights\/building-evacuation-simulation-cuts-evacuation-time-by-50\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Building evacuation simulation cuts evacuation time by 50%\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Building evacuation simulation with PTV Viswalk shows two ground floor exits can cut total egress time by about 50%.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/en\/user-insights\/building-evacuation-simulation-cuts-evacuation-time-by-50\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"PTV Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PTVGroupGlobal\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-13T06:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Untitled-design-20.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1025\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"577\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Guest author: F\u00e1bio Frare\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"_ptadmin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.ptvgroup.com\\\/en\\\/user-insights\\\/building-evacuation-simulation-cuts-evacuation-time-by-50\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.ptvgroup.com\\\/en\\\/user-insights\\\/building-evacuation-simulation-cuts-evacuation-time-by-50\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Guest Author\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.ptvgroup.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/ed495d952d445e59d4114dedcd7a86ba\"},\"headline\":\"Building evacuation simulation cuts evacuation time by 50%\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-13T06:00:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.ptvgroup.com\\\/en\\\/user-insights\\\/building-evacuation-simulation-cuts-evacuation-time-by-50\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1273,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.ptvgroup.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.ptvgroup.com\\\/en\\\/user-insights\\\/building-evacuation-simulation-cuts-evacuation-time-by-50\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.ptvgroup.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/Untitled-design-20.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Accessibility\",\"Transportation Modeling\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Modeling &amp; 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