Consumer Research on Advanced Traveler Information Systems: TravInfo Field Operational Test

The paper describes the evaluation framework of the TravInfo project, a field operational test of the San Francisco Bay Area advanced traveler information system. The purpose of the evaluation study is to measure changes in individual travel patterns that result from the TravInfo project and to assess traveler acceptance of and preference for advanced traveler information technology. The anticipated effects of TravInfo on Bay Area travelers were described using some of the economic concepts of supply and demand relationships between information providers and information users. Consumer choice concepts were investigated to better understand the impact of ATIS on travel choices with real-time traveler information and to establish a conceptual framework in which the TravInfo evaluation study could be conducted. In the case of the TravInfo field operational test, the short-term impact of advanced traveler information systems on travel behavior would be difficult to measure because changes in travel behavior is time related. It is unlikely that any significant behavioral changes under TravInfo could be detected during the three year operational test period. The key to an ATIS technology evaluation is the ability to project the future state of advanced technologies; however, the current models do not provide long-term predictive capabilities. Further research is needed in the development of models which can realistically replicate the future state of technology and of the consumer market.