Kotaroh Hirate

Development of an Evacuation Simulator using a Walkthrough System and Research on Evacuation Behavior in the Case of Fire

Abstract This research focuses on back-homing instinct, visible escape direction choices and tracking among escape direction choices in case of emergency, and to show the environment where such behavioral characteristics appear in a quantitative manner. An evacuation simulator using a walkthrough system was conducted. The results showed that 50% of evacuees who were not familiar with an architectural structure chose back-homing and the others searched for a new evacuation direction when they noticed a fire. For subjects who chose back-homing, 46.6% of evacuees still chose back-homing after observing the surrounding area and obtaining environmental information on both signs and other evacuees, while 53.4% chose to search for a new escape direction by following signs or other evacuees. It was found that the level concerning memory of a route to an evacuation point and the distance to an evacuation point also affects an escape choice. Also, the ratio of choice of visible escape routes differs according to the case. As a result of the research, it is possible to use this information to design an architectural structure and equipment in a building to minimize fire damage, by establishing evacuation simulation software.

A Study on the Planning and Use of Common Space in Private Rental Apartments in Okinawa, Japan

abstract This study aims to clarify the plan and use of common space in private rental apartments in Okinawa, Japan. The study covers the establishment of pilotis and non-pilotis style apartments by site area, the types of common spaces, and the use and evaluation of common spaces. To accomplish this, architectural drawings of 110 private rental apartments and a questionnaire sent to residents are fully analyzed. The results are as follows. First, the establishment of pilotis or non-pilotis style buildings is influenced by the site area and existence of exterior space. Pilotis style apartments without exterior space tend to be built on small sites. Next, common space is classified into four groups by building type and location of space: no common space (NCS), pilotis space only (PSO), shared pilotis space and exterior space (PSES) and exterior space only (ESO). Pilotis space is substituted for exterior space in non-pilotis style apartments and in common space shared pilotis space and exterior space, pilotis space supports exterior space functionally. Third, the main function of common space is for parking. Finally, according to the result of the evaluation of common space, PSO residents regard parking positively and the environment negatively, PSES residents regard parking neutrally and the environment positively, and ESO residents regard parking negatively and the environment neutrally.

A STUDY ON THE EVALUATION CONSTRUCT OF SIGN AT THE STATION: A study on information provision method to station users focused on additional sign@@@追設サインに着目した駅利用者への情報提供手法に関する検討

So far, we have been conducting research to accumulate knowledge concerning information provision by the guide sign at the station, but in the current status it is possible to confirm the situation that useful measures are not yet applied to the sign at the terminal station. Therefore, in this research, we conducted an interview survey applying the Evaluation Grid Method which applies efficiently to the essential needs held by station users for additional signs, in order to realize an easy-to-understand guide sign.

TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS OF GLOBE LIGHTING EQUIPMENT FOR PLATFORM OF A TRAIN STATION

Through the opportunity to plan lighting for platform of a train station, this research aims to determine the requirements and design a new LED globe light to meet it. In order to increase brightness where there is no wall or roof, as well as gaining flour brightness, sandblasted globe was attached to LED spot light. Considering the public nature of the station, design code was driven from images of the region. Practical utility such as no light pollution and decrease in energy usage were verified.

BASIC RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPING LIGHTING PLANNING CHART OF RETAIL: Focusing on visual environmental index and lighting environmental factors@@@視環境指標と照明環境要因に着目して

Lighting planning involves many in different standpoints. The objective of this research is to make a lighting planning chart that creates a foundation of a common language among the designer, owner and user of retail. What, where and when it is evaluated (visual environmental index) and why that method works (lighting environmental factors) is arranged in a matrix. In addition, examples of how lighting environment is planned (methods) are introduced. The chart is filled by investigating on previous books and researches written on lighting of retail. This chart is to be used to plan the lighting retrofit of retail to show its practical usage.

The Field Office Survey for Lighting Environment in Taiwan

Lighting consumes approximately 24.8% of the electrical energy supplied to office buildings in Taiwan. Even if those estimations are difficult to verify and might not be completely consistent, these figures lead to one important finding: around the world, the scientific community seems to agree that discussing the article lighting loads of buildings is extremely important and that energy-efficient lighting solutions have to be adopted. In order to guarantee an appropriate visual comfort in office, the horizontal illumination (especially on the working plan) must be sufficiently enough. According to CIE, it is suggested in 200 lux to 500 lux in offices, and CNS (Chinese National Standards, Taiwan) is 500 lux in Taiwans offices. According to survey and questionnaire, 500lux maybe is too high for employee in Taiwan. When the illuminance is below 500lux, brightness and satisfaction is not bad, and when the illuminance is over 500lux, brightness and satisfaction is not better than low illuminance. Even if office is in high horizontal illuminance environment, employees brightness, satisfaction and productivity are not guaranteed.

Research of Dynamic Lighting Management in China and Japan

For urban nightscape lighting, an inappropriate design may bring a huge impact on the impression of a city and cause visual stress which may cause the experience of unpleasant visual symptoms. What is more, in some situations the repetitive flashing lights are capable of inducing a photosensitive epileptic seizure. Accordingly, it is very important to manage the dynamic lighting from the perspective of urban planning. This paper focuses on studying the relevant background information and the existing management system about the dynamic lighting in China and Japan. By summarizing the relevant information and present status of the dynamic lighting guideline, some problems and deficiencies will be discussed and improvement suggestion will be provided for urban nightscape planning.

A STUDY ON THE FACTORS OF SENSES OF PHYSICAL OPPRESSION AND OPENNESS ON RESIDENTIAL STREET FRONTS USING STRUCTURED EVALUATION DIAGRAMS

This study aims to ascertain the primary factors of the senses of physical oppression and openness and to clarify the relationship between those two senses. For that, the two senses were evaluated by inhabitants regarding the streets their homes front in the Sangenjaya, Setagawa-ku area of Tokyo. The results are as follows. First, the correlation between the two senses is -0.63 and there is general recognition that the two senses are contrary to each other. The positive correlation between the sense of physical oppression and dissatisfaction itself can be seen and the both increase or decrease together. However, the sense of openness and dissatisfaction itself do not guarantee the same correlation. Second, the sense of physical oppression is mainly influenced by forms of street and architecture and is especially dependent on the form of architecture. The influence on the sense of openness is divided evenly into three elements: the street, traffic, and architecture. Third, natural objects, scenery, and environmental elements also increase the sense of openness while electronic poles and wires along with advertising and sign boards influence the increasing sense of physical oppression. Finally, the two senses are directly influenced from the elements on the entire streetscape but the sense of physical oppression is affected relatively more from the relationships between the elements than is the sense of openness.