An overview on multimodal emergency evacuation in an urban network

Emergency evacuation is important following natural disasters, terrorist attacks or other causes. This can put an enormous amount of pressure on our transportation networks as the generated traffic demand can significantly exceed those for routine travel conditions. Applying the best attributes of each mode of transportation is thus vital in such scenarios. Depending on the nature of the hazard and the population characteristics within the threat area, the implementation of evacuation models and simulations has the potential to save a vast array of lives by providing an effective path to safety for inhabitants. This paper aims to present an overview of approaches to emergency evacuation in an urban network, their features and findings. Key findings show a deficit of research in models incorporating other modes such as pedestrians and public transit, synergising different evacuation strategies for efficient evacuation and realistic travel behaviour.