Lesson 1: The Road Less Traveled

One aspect of disaster planning is establishing evacuation routes from areas in danger from natural and human-caused catastrophic events. Potential road closures and traffic flow must be considered when planning these routes. Do you think that you can plan the most effective evacuation routes for a given area?

Doing the science

1. Start the Evacuation Planning Simulation by clicking on the "Sim" tab.
2. Select the following: Time to Evacuate = 1 hour, Stores Close = 1 hour, and City Gasoline Supply = 25%.
3. For the #1 route, select a single route to the far left of the screen. To define a route, click on the red "X’s." Clicking again on a green arrow changes the direction of the arrow. Do not allow the route to branch at any point.
4. For the #2 route, select a single route to the far right of the screen. Do not allow the route to branch at any point.
5. Select the "Start" button and allow the simulation to run to the end.
6. Note and record the data for the run in Table 1 below.
7. Select the "Reset" button to change the existing evacuation routes.
8. For the #1 route, select the route that immediately turns to the right. Continue the route to exit the area.
9. For the #2 route, select the route that immediately turns to the left. Continue the route to exit the area.
10. Select the "Start" button. Note and record the data for the run in Table 1 below.