This book introduces the use of the distinct element method (DEM) in modeling crowd behavior
and simulating evacuation processes. Focusing on the mathematical computation of the uncertain
behavior of evacuees which is switching action behavior it subsequently reproduces the crowd
evacuation process under several conjectural scenarios using a DEM-based multi-agent model that
has been modified by introducing the switching action behavior. The proposed switching action
behavior model describes a person who has to change his her destination due to the limited
space capacity of the designated evacuation area. The change in the destination of a person is
determined according to the motion of other individuals in the perception domain during the
defined switching action time. The switching action time is formulated in the so-called
switching action function which is described by a convolution integral of the input and unit
response functions. The newly developed switching action model is then validated using
sensitivity analysis in which the primary focus is the crowd motion and flow of switching
action behavior.
