Notausgangsreaktion

Notausgangsreaktion is a term used in safety science and crowd dynamics to describe the behavioral response of individuals and groups to emergency exit cues and the subsequent egress. The word combines Notausgang (emergency exit) and Reaktion (reaction). The concept encompasses recognition of an emergency, assessment of perceived threat, decision to evacuate, and the physical act of moving toward and through an exit.

In evacuation situations, the Notausgangsreaktion is shaped by cognitive, social, and environmental factors. Cognitive factors include threat appraisal, risk perception, and attention to signage and alarms. Social factors include influences from others, leadership and instruction by staff, and the presence of dependents. Environmental factors include the placement and visibility of Notausgänge, lighting, noise, floor conditions, corridor width, and the potential for bottlenecks.

Typical phases are cue detection, interpretation, decision-making, initiation of movement, and movement through exit routes. Effects include variations in reaction time, speed, and route choice. Improper Notausgangsreaktionen can lead to congestion or trampling; therefore safe design aims to facilitate rapid, orderly egress by using clear signage, unobstructed exits, redundant routes, and drill-based familiarity.

Researchers study the Notausgangsreaktion through drills, observational studies, and computer simulations (e.g., agent-based or crowd-flow models). Metrics include exit times, flow rates, density, and bottleneck formation.

See also: evacuation, crowd dynamics, panic, safety engineering, Notausgang.