| Title | Effects of Seating Configuration and Number of Type III Exits on Emergency Aircraft Evacuation |
|---|---|
| Record ID | 39619 |
| Personal Name Creator |
McLean, Garnet A.; Chittum, Charles B.; Funkhouser, Gordon E.; Fairlie, Gregory W.; Folk, Earl W. |
| Corporate Creator | Civil Aeromedical Institute |
| Corporate Contributor |
United States. Office of Aviation Medicine |
| Publisher | Civil Aerospace Medical Institute |
| Publication Date | 19920800 |
| Language | English |
| Abstract | Introduction. An increase in the required pathway width from aircraft center aisles to Type III overwing exits is being weighed by the FAA. To augment the analysis, an examination of seat/exit configuration effects on simulated emergency egress was conducted in the CAMI Evacuation Research Facility. Methods. Four subject groups traversed four different seat/exit configurations in a counter-balanced, repeated-measures design. Pathway width was modified by altering seat pitch. Results. In single-exit trials the fastest times and highest flow-rates occurred with a 20" pathway between triple seats or a 10’’ pathway between double seats. Double exits produced 36% shorter egress times (p<.007), although flow-rates declined 11% and exit plug removal times increased 32%, compared to single exits. Conclusion. Efficient egress requires optimization of the space around the exit. Generally, wider pathways and fewer obstructions enhance this process; however; when available space exceeds individual passenger needs, conflicts may be produced which inhibit egress. |
| Rosap ID | dot:21397 |
| Rosap URL | https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/21397 |
| TRT Terms | Air transportation crashes; Evacuation; Emergency exits; Seats; Aircraft cabins; Performance tests; Time studies |
| General Subjects | Aircraft accidents; Airplanes--Evacuation--Testing; Airplanes--Seats; Aircraft cabins; Time study |
| Classification | NTL - AVIATION - Aviation Safety/Airworthiness; NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Accidents; NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Aviation Safety/Airworthiness; NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Vehicle Design |
| Geographical Coverage |
United States |
| Report Number | DOT/FAA/AM-92/27 |
| Resource type | Tech Report |
| URL | https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/39000/39600/39619/AM92-27.pdf |
| Format | |
| Database | NTL Digital Repository |