Yasuo Kawai

Development of a Tsunami Evacuation Behavior Simulation System with Massive Evacuation Agents

We present an evacuation behavior simulation system at the time of tsunami using the evacuation agent of a game engine. The tsunami evacuation behavior simulation system is a system that enables local governments and residents to work together to formulate disaster prevention plans. As a representation of a simple tsunami, in this system, a slightly oblique plane is inserted as the sea surface to a three-dimensional model of the terrain, building, and road, which is generated by geographical information system data. Mass agents of evacuees randomly placed on the road will move toward the nearest wide evacuation shelter or tsunami evacuation building. As a result, problems were found in the shape of some roads and the position of evacuation buildings.

Development of a Horror Game that Route Branches by the Player's Pulse Rate

In this work, we developed a horror game that changes the effect of fear by players physiological information. We adopt pulse rate as physiological information in which fear emotions appear and decides to measure using a pulse rate meter as a physiological information sensor. In this system, we prepared a mechanism to select a route that gives fear emotions to players according to the pulse rate. As a result of the trial play, we were able to effectively give fear feelings to players who did not feel fear.

Creating a Regional and Historical Streetscape Simulation System

The purpose of this study is to create a streetscape simulation system to support local cultural succession by conveying—in a clear and simple way—local history and culture to interested members of the public. We developed an interactive system, based on a game engine, for the streetscape of Fujisawa-juku, which is a post-station town on the former Tokaido Road of the late Edo period. We designed 3D models for former architecture and urban facilities, using Ukiyo-e and old documents provided by the Fujisawa city archive as references. In addition, regarding dynamic spatial elemental components that encourage users to visually survey the area, we prepared non-player characters that walk in a specified range and communicate a fixed set of remarks. Furthermore, we created soundscapes, which correspond to particular locations, using sound effects in the 3D models by incorporating natural sounds. The developed streetscape simulation system is on permanent exhibition at the Fujisawa-juku Intersection Hall and is widely accessible to the public.