Human Factors Division enhances new WTC-7 building

Alex Kirlik’s Human Factors research activities as a member of a University of Illinois team advising Silverstein Properties (NYC) on design enhancements for the new World Trade Center-7 building reached fruition with the building’s completion this year. Human factors enhancements to the building include exit stairs 20% wider than required by code, overly-wide stairwell landings to reduce loss of kinetic energy while turning and descending, and the use of photo-luminescent paint on stairs and railings (http://www.wtc.com/inner_page.aspx?id=11). Skidmore, Owings and Merrill architect Carl Galioto highlighted these human factors enhancements in the PBS Nova episode Building on Ground Zero, first broadcast on September 5, 2006 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/wtc/). These efforts have played a role in prompting updates of the New York City high-rise building code mandating increased stair widths and the use of photo-luminescent paint to facilitate egress.

Contact
Dr. Alex Kirlik,
Human Factors Division
Phone: 217-244-8972
Email: kirlik@illinois.edu

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