Evaluating the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-Based Fire Safety Training Using Performance Metrics and User Behavior Analysis

Abstract

Fire safety training is essential for improving emergency response; however, conventional methods often lack interactivity and fail to provide measurable performance data. Existing Virtual Reality (VR)-based training systems enhance immersion but primarily rely on subjective evaluation, limiting quantitative assessment of effectiveness. To address this limitation, a VR-based fire safety training system integrated with performance metrics and user behavior analysis was developed and evaluated. An experimental study involving 47 participants was conducted using a pre-test and post-test design. Learning outcomes, behavioral data, and user feedback were analyzed. Results indicate a significant improvement, with median scores increasing from 4 to 8 and 70.21% of participants showing improvement. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test confirmed statistical significance (p = 0.00016) with a moderate to large effect size (r = 0.525). Behavioral metrics further demonstrated measurable user performance, supporting the effectiveness of VR-based fire safety training.