Emergency Routing for Personal Rapid Transit Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) systems face inefficiencies in managing emergency evacuations due to limitations in routing vehicles effectively to suitable evacuation points based on the nature and location of emergencies, as well as varying outflow capacities at these points.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for identifying emergencies, evaluating evacuation points, classifying vehicles as impacted or not, and determining optimal routes for vehicles to reach evacuation points, considering the emergency's nature, outflow capacity, and vehicle capacity, with the ability to dynamically reroute and segregate vehicles for efficient and orderly evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If PRT systems use traditional routing methods for emergency evacuation, then the system structure remains simple, but the evacuation efficiency and speed are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The routing system dynamically adjusts evacuation routes based on real-time emergency conditions, vehicle locations, and evacuation point capacities. The system continuously re-evaluates and re-routes vehicles rather than using fixed predetermined paths, allowing the routing structure to adapt flexibly to changing conditions during emergencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the evacuation process by classifying vehicles into different categories (impacted vs. not impacted) and routing them through different pathways. Evacuation points are also evaluated and segmented based on their capacity and suitability for specific vehicle types, allowing optimized routing decisions for different vehicle groups.
2Productivity
If PRT systems route all vehicles to the nearest evacuation point, then the routing process is simple, but the outflow capacity at evacuation points becomes overwhelmed
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the capacity status of evacuation points and adjust routing decisions accordingly. When an evacuation point approaches its outflow capacity limit, the system receives feedback and automatically reroutes additional vehicles to alternative evacuation points with available capacity, preventing overcrowding and maintaining efficient throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes routing parameters dynamically based on evacuation point capacity levels. Instead of using a fixed rule of routing to the nearest point, the system adjusts routing parameters such as destination selection and path optimization based on real-time capacity data, allowing the evacuation system to maintain optimal throughput under varying load conditions.
3Reliability
If PRT systems do not classify vehicles during emergency evacuation, then the evacuation process is faster, but the segregation of clean and impacted vehicles is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of vehicles into impacted and not impacted categories as soon as an emergency is detected, before the actual evacuation routing begins. This advance classification allows the system to prepare appropriate routing paths for each vehicle type simultaneously with the evacuation process, rather than classifying vehicles during evacuation, thus maintaining both speed and orderliness.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a solution for an orderly and well-considered evacuation of a Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system in the event of declared emergency. It describes the mapping of evacuation points and subsequent routing of PRT vehicles according to both the nature/location of the emergency and outflow capacity at each evacuation point. If an emergency is declared within a PRT system, which does not cause widespread power loss, but which does require an orderly evacuation (e.g., smoke or flooding), PRT vehicles will be routed to an evacuation point capable of handling such outflow in an orderly manner.