Virtual Reality in Building Evacuation: A Review

Abstract

This study systematically reviews the application of virtual reality (VR) in building evacuation scenarios in disaster contexts, highlighting its transformative potential to enhance preparedness, evacuation strategies, and safety training. Disasters such as fires, earthquakes, and multi-hazard emergencies pose significant challenges in densely populated urban environments, requiring innovative solutions beyond traditional methods. Analyzing 48 peer-reviewed studies (2014–2024) following PRISMA guidelines, this review focuses on VR applications in public buildings, transportation hubs, and high-risk workplaces, with VR simulations emerging as the predominant methodology. Key findings demonstrate VR’s ability to simulate realistic scenarios, improve spatial navigation, and optimize crowd dynamics and mobility accessibility. VR enhances evacuation efficiency and safety compliance by enabling adaptive training for diverse populations, including students, professionals, and vulnerable groups. In public and high-risk environments, VR addresses challenges such as visibility limitations, structural complexity, and the need for customized evacuation protocols. However, gaps remain in exploring multi-hazard environments and mixed-use spaces and ensuring scalability. Future research should integrate VR with artificial intelligence and machine learning for predictive and adaptive evacuation models. Expanding VR applications to underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities and the elderly, and collaborating with policymakers and urban planners are vital for translating research into practice. Overall, VR provides a scalable, adaptable, and inclusive solution for building evacuation preparedness, offering actionable insights to enhance resilience and safety in diverse architectural and disaster contexts. Its ability to transform evacuation strategies positions VR as a pivotal tool in advancing disaster management.

Topics & Concepts