Dealing with disasters

In the aftermath of a disaster, every second counts when it comes to getting to safety. Knowing how people might react when the worst happens can help create more effective evacuation and rescue strategies, and it’s an area where human factors researchers can help.

The latest issue of The Ergonomist, the magazine for members of the CIEHF, highlights two projects focused on natural disasters – and both will also feature at our Ergonomics & Human Factors 2025 conference in April.

The first examines how people behave when they’re driving to safety following a flood and looks at the factors influencing how quickly they would comply with an evacuation order and the route they would choose. It found the average delay time was 12.8 minutes, with the longest delay of 30.9 minutes happening when evacuation warnings were sent through social media.

The second article explores how augmented reality (AR) technology can be used to help rescuers prepare for dealing with the aftermath of an earthquake. Participants carried out tasks in a simulated earthquake environment using either traditional map systems or an AR system with holographic map and 3D marking. The study found that the APR tools “allow participants to perform rescue missions faster while reducing the psychological burden”.

Read the full articles in the latest issue of The Ergonomist. If you’re not a member, find out how to join us now.