Support us | Visit us | Contact us Computer simulation of an
underground station used to assess crowd behaviour in
emergencies. Dr John Drury and Dr Chris Cocking, University of
Sussex.Dr Damian Schofield, Dr Andy Burton and Dr Paul Langston,
University of Nottingham.Dr Steve Reicher, University of St
Andrews. 'When people gather in public spaces such as sports
grounds or the Underground, their reaction to emergencies is
crucial', explains John Drury, psychologist and head of the
Underground Station Evacuation Application research team. 'Crowd
panic is frequently blamed for deaths, but studies of escaping
crowds reveal a different picture. As well as emotional and
selfish behaviour there is also helping, co-ordination and self-
sacrifice, even in life-threatening situations'. Results from
studies using a new computer simulation are challenging the
assumption that crowds panic in an emergency situation. The
Underground Station Evacuation Application works just like a
three-dimensional (3D) computer game. By man