Tag: crowd science

Forest fires and the golden rules of safety

We recently asked Keith Still (Professor of Crowd Science at Manchester Metropolitan University and Fellow of the Institute of Place Management) to comment on the recent fires in the Mediterranean from his point of view as an expert.

“Due to the recent spate of wildfires around the world, spreading at an alarming rate, it’s worth remembering the golden rules for safety.
One factor that appears to be underestimated is the speed at which fire spreads. Having seen scientific experiments and been subjected to both smoke and hot room escapes at the UK Fire Services College (Morton in the Marsh – https://www.fireservicecollege.ac.uk) this may be the major factor that require more public awareness. In my youth, kids would often set fires in the hills near us, nothing to the scale witnessed around the world, but enough to give me an appreciation of wildfires and how quickly they can spread.

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Crowd Science: Run, Hide, Tell

Crowd Science
People run down Oxford Street, London, Britain November 24, 2017. REUTERS/Simon Dawson

By Prof Keith Still*

The recent crowd reaction to an incident at Oxford Circus Underground station highlights the escalating risks to crowds in places of public assembly. Namely, the crowds are reacting to incidents (real or perceived) very differently to how they reacted a few years ago.

Do you remember school, we were all drilled for evacuation practise? You line up, walk (DO NOT RUN) to the nearest exit. Now the message is very different. The advice is now to RUN. Continue reading “Crowd Science: Run, Hide, Tell” →

Meet the IPM: Interview with Prof Keith Still

Keith StillProf Keith Still, a Fellow of the Institute of Place Management, is an international expert in crowd dynamics. He has over 25 years’ experience of crowd modelling and for several years he was a Special Advisor to the Saudi Authorities for Hajj projects (Jamarat Bridge development).

Prof Still is the professor of Crowd Science at Manchester Metropolitan University where he teaches a MSc in Crowd Safety and Risk Analysis. He delivers short courses around the world on all aspects of crowd dynamics. Keith developed the Legion, Paramics UAF, Myriad and 3D RTDS modelling systems which are used around the world.

Prof. Still has advised on many large scale crowded spaces such as the Royal Wedding (2011 UK), Olympics (Sydney 2000 and London 2012), New Year Events (UK and Sydney), Stadia design (UK and Europe), Westfield shopping Mall (UK 2012).

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