Examining the operational aspect of pedestrian evacuation modeling, a case study of Ras-Baalbek flash floods – Lebanon
The purpose of this paper is to critically assess the operational aspect of pedestrian evacuation models for flash floods mitigation. A number of evacuation models exist in literature, but investigations of their operational aspects and efficient implementation are rare. Through a detailed real-life case study in Ras-Baalbek village-Lebanon, the efficiency of evacuation models when it comes to saving lives is examined.
Based on the modeling results, evacuation signs were proposed to be installed on roads along with building vertical-evacuation structures to enhance the evacuation time. The obtained evacuation-modeling outcomes showcased to have multiple operational implications: flood risk outreach, educating and training (preparedness and response), reducing risk and casualties, long-term land use/land cover zoning and, ultimately, improving communities’ resilience to floods.