User needs in Humanist

During the last decades, several Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS) were introduced to road traffic. The first systems were developed as a part of general IT fever and were therefore more a result of technological push than of market pull and stated user needs. The development of socially advantageous systems needs, however, user centered design and information about user needs and requirements. User needs are frequently connected to solving existing problems, but determining of user requirements for new and innovative technology applications and service concepts is especially challenging. In addition, the consequences of the new ITS on the traffic system level are of major interest. In many cases the approach of user needs and requirements is social and related to social policy. It is typical for the area that the system should be available, usable and safe for most of the citizens, including children, elderly and disabled people. In order to achieve user and social acceptance, the analysis of user needs and requirements in several areas of ITS is needed. Hence, user needs analyses support the development of socially advantageous transport systems. The principal research methods of user information needs cover interviews, surveys and group discussions. One approach is to investigate the difficulties encountered in various road contexts and for a diversified population in order to identify the type of needs that could be overcome or compensated by ITS. Furthermore, as the systems become more complex, it may be essential to evaluate how well the user understands the operational and management principles of the system. This is especially important in case of the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that are aimed to help people in their driving task by intervening in their driving behavior. In the case of implemented systems, the amount of use and willingness to pay may be of interest. In addition, traffic safety is or at least should always be a concern while planning new systems to be implemented into vehicles or roadsides. The main concerns often are: how will the users take the technology into use? How will it affect the individual users of the system? How about non-users? Is it expected to have an effect on interaction between the road-users? Does the system always operate, even in adverse weather conditions? Which are the specific usage situations to take into account when planning the systems?