Chu, J.C.J.C.ChuChen, A.Y.A.Y.ChenALBERT CHENCHIH-YUAN CHU2019-12-052019-12-052017https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85034098411&doi=10.1016%2fj.trc.2017.10.009&partnerID=40&md5=d7d831aa4ab29b07748edfd7a9b78103A methodology for optimizing variable pedestrian evacuation guidance in buildings with convex polygonal interior spaces is proposed. The optimization of variable guidance is a bi-level problem. The calculation of variable guidance based on the prediction of congestion and hazards is the upper-level problem. The prediction of congestion provided the variable guidance is the lower-level problem. A local search procedure is developed to solve the problem. The proposed methodology has three major contributions. First, a logistic regression model for guidance compliance behavior is calibrated using a virtual reality experiment and the critical factors for the behavior are identified. Second, the guidance compliance and following behaviors are considered in the lower-level problem. Third, benchmarks are calculated to evaluate the performance of optimized variable guidance, including the lower bound of the maximum evacuation time and the maximum evacuation time under a fixed guidance. Finally, the proposed methodology is validated with numerical examples. Results show that the method has the potential to reduce evacuation time in emergencies. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd[SDGs]SDG9[SDGs]SDG11Benchmarking; Hazards; Logistic regression; Bi-level problems; Congestion; Critical factors; Dynamic network; Logistic Regression modeling; Mixed integer programming; Pedestrian evacuations; Pedestrian simulation; Integer programming; benchmarking; computer simulation; guideline; hazard assessment; model validation; numerical model; optimization; pedestrian; traffic congestionjournal article10.1016/j.trc.2017.10.0092-s2.0-85034098411