NTL Record

Title Passenger flow rates between compartments : straight-segmented stairways, spiral stairways, and passageways with restricted vision and changes of attitude.
Record ID 39303
Personal Name
Creator
Pollard, D.W.; Garner, J.D.; Blethrow, J.G.; Lowrey, D.L.
Corporate Creator Civil Aeromedical Institute
Corporate
Contributor
United States. Office of Aviation Medicine
Publisher Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Publication Date 19780100
Language English
Abstract Data are presented from 210 trials to compare movement up and down spiral and straight-segmented stairways simulating the stairs in multideck transport aircraft, up and down spiral and straight-segmented industrial-type stairways, fore and aft through a passageway enclosed on one side, and fore and aft through a passageway enclosed on both sides. The Civil Aeromedical Institute evacuation simulator was positioned to represent degrees of pitch and roll similar to those encountered in accidents as a result of landing gear failure. Tests were conducted in regular cabin lighting, reduced cabin lighting, reduced cabin lighting with subjects wearing goggles simulating smoke conditions, and artificial smoke conditions. Results indicate that an enclosed passageway enables more rapid movement from one compartment to another than does a passageway enclosed on only one side. Straight-segmented stairways allowed more efficient movement from one level to another than did spiral stairs. Subjects were more cautious in the tests that involved wearing smoke goggles than in any of the other conditions.
Rosap ID dot:21096
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/21096
TRT Terms Human factors engineering; Evacuation; Aircraft cabins; Visibility; Air transportation crashes; Passengers; Flight simulators; Stairs
General Subjects Aircraft accidents; Aircraft cabins--Design and construction; Airplane crash survival; Stairs; Visibility; Flight simulators; Airplanes--Evacuation
Classification NTL - AVIATION - Aviation Human Factors;
NTL - AVIATION - Aviation Safety/Airworthiness;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Accidents;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Aviation Safety/Airworthiness;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Human Factors
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Report Number FAA-AM-78-3; DOT/FAA/AM-78/3
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/39000/39300/39303/AM78-03.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository