Studying Commuter Behaviour for Gamifying Mobility
The I-GEAR (Incentives and Gaming Environments for Automobile Routing; http://igear.lu) project addresses challenges relating to road traffic congestion through the use of mobile technology. The idea behind I-GEAR is that traffic participation can be considered as a part of a game. The authors approach is to develop and test new approaches that bring together gamification, mobile applications and collaboration as a method of encouraging people to undertake new commuter behaviours that it is hoped will reduce traffic congestion. The project aims to produce a real live mobility game application that changes mobility behaviour by offering players alternatives to their routine mobility behaviours. In order to develop a mobile game that offers its users alternative mobility options that reduce their time spent in traffic and emissions and that also save them money, the authors needed to have detailed knowledge of the existing mobility patterns of commuters in Luxembourg. The authors developed their own methodology that consists of an online questionnaire and a smartphone application (Driver Diaries) for the extraction of mobility behaviour and routines based on global position system (GPS) data and user input. The authors are currently developing and testing mobility gamification concepts in focus groups. The interdisciplinary approach incorporates mobile traffic research, behavioural research and mobile gaming. In 2012 the authors developed and successfully tested an indoor mobility game, which showed that local mobility behaviours could be altered using gamification. Gamification is often described as the use of game mechanics and other game elements in non-gaming situations. The authors designed and developed a mobility behaviour study that consists of three elements: a) an online questionnaire recording planned and reoccurring behaviours; b) the Driver Diaries mobile application (http://tinyurl.com/kx6p6kj) recording spontaneous behaviour and GPS data and c) a series of focus group interviews in which the authors validate the recorded data and develop and test game concepts. These three data sets enrich each other thus allowing us triangulation and verification. The application was tested in the authors usability laboratory where the users had to perform predefined tasks which cover the main interfaces/screens. The main research question for this project are: How can the authors change the mobility behaviour of commuters in Luxembourg in order to reduce road congestion? The research questions that are addressed in the current phase of the project are: What are the existing mobility behaviours/patterns of commuters in Luxembourg and why do they exist as such? How can the authors use the extracted mobility patterns and activity hotspots in the design of the game? Which game design/gamification elements are the most prominent for a mobility game application situated in Luxembourg? An in-car observation study will follow in order to get a better understanding of the decision making processes for individual commutes and at the same time to test the possibilities and limitations for gaming on the road. The first game prototype will be ready for testing in June/July 2014. During this part of the work we will examine the effectiveness of various game concepts on commuter behaviour. Finally, the authors will contribute to existing mobility behavioural research, gamification research and incar/car-use studies.
- Record URL:
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Supplemental Notes:
- Abstract used by permission of Association for European Transport. Alternate title: Incentives and Gaming Environments for Changing Commuter Behaviour.
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Corporate Authors:
Association for European Transport (AET)
1 Vernon Mews, Vernon Street, West Kensington
London W14 0RL, -
Authors:
- Kracheel, Martin
- McCall, Roderick
- Koenig, Vincent
- Engel, Thomas
- Martin, Romain
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Conference:
- European Transport Conference 2014
- Location: Frankfurt , Germany
- Date: 2014-9-29 to 2014-10-1
- Publication Date: 2014
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; References;
- Pagination: 12p
- Monograph Title: European Transport Conference 2014: Strands
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Commuting; Decision making; Game theory; Global Positioning System; Traffic congestion; Travel behavior; Travel diaries
- Geographic Terms: Luxembourg
- Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01552471
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Feb 2 2015 10:27AM