Intelligent Transport Systems - Telenor

Hilde Lovett (38) is Senior
Research Scientist at Telenor
R&D. She graduated from
the University of Oslo as
CandScient in Informatics in
1989. After working at the Norwegian
Computing Center (NR)
and Center for IT Research in
Denmark, she joined Telenor
R&D in January 1999. She has
been working with research with
an emphasis on distributed systems
and multimedia, as well as
project- and research management.
In 2002 she obtained a
Master of Telecom Strategy from
the Norwegian University of Science
and Technology (NTNU).
hilde.lovett@telenor.com
Elin Melby (32) is Research Scientist
at Telenor R&D. She graduated
from the University of
Oslo as Ph.D. (Dr.Scient.) in
2000 and in 2001 joined Telenor
R&D where she has been working
with mobile radio communications,
location technology and
intelligent transport systems. In
2002 she graduated as Master
of Telecom Strategy from the
Norwegian University of Science
and Technology (NTNU).
elin.melby@telenor.com
78
User Analysis of Car Drivers
HILDE LOVETT, ELIN MELBY, NINA MYREN AND
JOHN STEEN NIELSEN
The user analysis has given a general understanding of what the car driver is interested in with regards
to information and communication services. The user analysis showed that there is a demand for pretrip
and on-trip information, static, as well as dynamic traffic information about incidents that could cause
delays, and information about alternative routes. Drivers are willing to share information with other
drivers as long as they stay anonymous, and preferably, their cars could automatically provide information.
The user analysis also showed that it is important to avoid information overload. An easy and safeto-use
interface is crucial for car-driver services. Good voice and multi-modal interfaces are necessary.
The users were also interested in solutions for utilising the time spent in the car in a better way.
Goal and Approach
“ITS Your Time” [1] is a project resulting from
the Master of Telecommunication Strategy program
of Telenor Corporate University, ending in
May 2002. This article summarises the findings
from the qualitative part of the user analysis performed
in the “ITS Your Time” project.
The goal of the user analysis in “ITS Your
Time” was to validate an initial set of hypotheses
about a concept for sharing of traffic information
and to get indications of user needs for
professional and private car drivers.
Particular focus-group discussions were performed
with the purpose to better understand
how drivers relate to each other, the needs they
have for information, communication, and coordination
among themselves, and how telematics
can improve safety, efficiency, and possible
other properties and issues of driving. The findings
are summarised in Section “Results from
the focus groups”.
In addition to the focus groups, “ITS Your Time”
had informal discussions with representatives from
different players in the transportation and ITS
arena, such as public authorities, professional and
industrial bodies, and research bodies. The results
of these discussions are given in Section “Results
from the discussions with relevant players”.
Section “Findings with respect to the hypotheses”
summarises the findings with respect to the
initial set of hypotheses. The full user analysis is
documented in [1].
The initial set of hypotheses of “ITS Your Time”
were:
• There are needs and business opportunities for
ICT-supported, direct cooperation between
drivers of vehicles.
• Safety and efficiency in traffic can improve
when interaction (communication, informa-
tion, and coordination) between car drivers
improves.
• Spontaneous networks with respect to interests
and geography can improve this interaction.
Method
We had informal discussions with drivers in
focus groups in addition to other relevant players
in the ITS area. The focus-group analysis is
based on input from people who are on the road
a lot, both professional and private.
The discussions were facilitated with drawings
and toy vehicles, signs and animals, see Figures
1 and 2. This helped the discussion partners to
explain and explore their ideas.
The focus groups were carried out as two indepth
discussions with drivers in the usability
lab of Telenor Mobil at the IMAX theatre at
Aker Brygge, a shopping and dining district of
Oslo harbour. The groups had two and three
facilitators, respectively, leading the discussions
through a prepared list of questions regarding
stressful and frustrating traffic situations, possible
solutions to these situations and other traffic
problems, and the hypothesis of “ITS Your
Time”. The sessions, which lasted for two hours,
were followed from a control room separated by
a one-way mirror. Minutes were taken in shorthand,
and the sessions were video taped. In both
groups four different drivers participated, three
male and one female, aged between 30 and 60.
Neither of them knew each other or the facilitators
from before. Different categories of drivers
were covered in the selection of participants,
both people from the transportation business,
people depending on transportation to execute
their work, and regular drivers and/or commuters.
Two of the participants came from the
NAF (Norwegian Automobile Association) road
patrol. One of them was a former taxi driver at
Oslo Taxi, now in charge of the drivers. The
other was also a motorcyclist. The other profes-
Telektronikk 1.2003