Our Focus

Through our project, we aim to identify the safest routes home through Vancouver from a single starting point. 

Study Objectives

1. To identify areas of human congregation and population density during a zombie apocalypse. 
2. To create a heat map depicting areas of high risk or danger within Vancouver.
3. To map out the safest route each project partner may take to get home safely.
4. To determine the level of zombie resistance for each safe route.

Study Areas

For this project, we focused our study on the City of Vancouver.

Background

– THE ZOMBIES –

Zombies are animated corpses that feed on living human flesh. Infected as a living human, the zombie virus spreads through the bloodstream until the victim can be considered “dead”. Ceasing all bodily functions, the virus situates itself in the brain and mutates it, until it becomes an entirely different organ. Once the transition is complete, the body reanimates – however, not all of its limbs or mind will be able to restore full functionality. As a result, their movements appear slow and uncoordinated, and their hunting patterns random.

– HOW ZOMBIES INFECT THE POPULATION –

The zombie virus can be spread to living humans through fluidic contact. Although traditionally transferred through the form of a bite, a victim can become infected when it comes in contact with an open wound or “being splattered by its remains after an explosion”(Brooks, 2003). Due to the zombie’s aggressive nature, it is recommended that individuals steer clear of heavily populated areas to ensure safety.

– HOW ZOMBIES MOVE IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT –

During a zombie apocalypse, urban environments are considered highly dangerous areas due to high urban structure density. Zombie hunting movements are random. Because of this irregular movement, zombies may “take much more time to explore, which is why the undead remain much longer in these areas, but no building will take precedence over the other” (Brooks, 2003).

Although the population of the living may be higher than in any other type of environment (for example, countryside, desert, forest), it is also likely there is a higher concentration of undead bodies in urban areas. “The simple fact is that a place inhabited by more living will have more dead” (Brooks, 2003).  Attracted to the scent of living human flesh, zombies are more likely to enter and remain in an area of high population density.

Furthermore, zombies are more likely to be attracted to areas of human congregation. For example, at the time of the outbreak, people will likely be congregated in areas like shopping malls, schools, and even on rapid transit. In these areas, groups of people may be trapped within these buildings as they barricade the doors to keep the zombies at bay. This action may prove to be fatal – with so many humans in close proximity, the collective scent of human flesh will be much more potent.

During a zombie apocalypse, humans can prove to be just as dangerous as zombies. In amidst all of the chaos, many people may act out of fear. This is natural – without running water, electricity, food, law enforcement, or health care, many people will be left to their own devices (Brooks, 2003). Some will flock to city hall and police stations to riot – these areas would be particularly dangerous as frustrated civilians may resort to violence. Hospitals would be overrun by infected patients. Major roads and bridges would be congested with people in cars trying to escape the city. Driven by panic and fear, this behaviour would increase of the congregation of the human population, thus attracting zombies to these areas.

– HOW TO AVOID ZOMBIES IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT –

When a zombie apocalypse hits, the city would generally be a highly dangerous place. In particular, high population density and human congregation increase the likelihood of zombie attacks in an area.

• Bridges and underground transit systems should be avoided. Travelling through these areas are risky because these areas lack a proper escape route.
• Homes provide an adequate shelter during a zombie apocalypse. Stocked with food and supplies, homes can be fortified against zombies.
• For the best chances of survival, bikes were identified to be the safest mode of transportation. Quiet, fast, and man-powered, bikes would also be able to utilize paved roads and out run most zombies. Furthermore, most major roads would likely be congested with car traffic as the masses attempt to flee the city. Travelling by bike or by foot is preferable for easier navigation between cars.  For our project, we will be identifying the safest route home for each project partner by travelling by bike.