Stig E.R. Franzén

Users' perception and reported effects of long-term access to in-vehicle traffic information services mediated through nomadic devices: Results from a large-scale inter-european field operational test

Abstract ICT-mediated traffic information has been argued to contribute to a more sustainable transport system through affecting drivers. Nevertheless, long-term effects of travellers having access to nomadic in-vehicle systems for traveller information are not well known. This study presents the results from a multi-national large-scale field operational test (FOT). The results show that the users in general were positive to the tested systems and that there were several effects on their driving behaviour but in many cases the effects were limited. Moreover the effects varied between system types. Positive effects were related to comfort, as well as individual and system efficiency. One could also notice that perceived effects were not as high as the participants had expected, leading to some disappointment. Most of the times this was due to the tested systems functioning in a less than optimal way.

Public Transport And Information Technology - A User Oriented Approach

Public transport systems are interacting with human beings in many ways and many different types of users can be identified. Support systems based on information technology will now be introduced in the area. The total system design of all interfaces with human beings will be crucial for a successful introduction of this new technology. In ow opinion only a user oriented design approach can meet the requirements on total system performance and make use of the full potential of information technology. The interactions between human beings, information systems and the organizational structure needed must be in focus in the design process. A tentative design tool, the matrix approach, is presented. The tool will make possible the active participation of aU relevant user groups in the development work. On-going work and future plans IO apply the tool in a user oriented re-design of a public transport traffic control centre is presented.