This paper presents the results of a study into the behavioural impact of a novel broadcast parking information system which has operated on an experimental basis for the past two years in the City of Nottingham. The system operates during the Christmas period and is based on local radio broadcasts providing drivers with up-to-date information on car park occupancy, queues lengths and parking alternatives. The study was carried out as part of the DRIVE project EURONETT, which is concerned with assessing travellers' responses to a broad range of advanced transport technologies. The study was based on a combination of personal interview and mail-back questionnaires distributed to drivers in Nottingham during November and December 1990. The background and motivation of the service is discussed and the form of the parking information broadcasts provided to drivers is described. The third section describes the objectives of the survey and the procedures used to investigate the behavioural impact of the system. The fourth section presents an analysis of the results of the survey and the fifth section briefly discusses the implications of these results for the design of broadcast information services and parking management. The final section presents some overall conclusions from the work and in the light of current developments in Advanced Transport Telematics and moves towards the deregulation of broadcasting, discusses the wider potential for the use of the broadcast media as a means of influencing travel behaviour.
Abstract