This chapter presents selected results from three studies in the BERTIE project of the DRIVE programme, which were conducted to assess the potential for changes in drivers' strategic behaviour due to new route and parking guidance systems. The systems studied were: (1) the Bosch TRAVELPILOT IDS autonomous route information system; and(2) the Siemens LISB infrastructure-based route guidance system. The findings of the third field experiment are explained, and compared with the results of the other two studies. Twenty-four men and women in Berlin were chosen from the 20-30 and 55+ age groups, and asked to drive to a given destination and locate a parking place. Investigations were made of: (1) route choice behaviour, comparing the uses of an electronic map and a route guidance system; (2) whether drivers really want guidance to off-street parking facilities; and (3) the evaluation of parking problems in relation to future driver behaviour. The author concludes that: (1) route guidance systems with an electronic map improve travel times, even for local road users; (2) drivers do not fully recognise their improved travel times; (3) the route guidance principle of commands and standardised icons is generally acceptable as comfortable and easy to understand; (4) existing systems are not efficient for the final part of a journey to the city centre; and (5) changes in parking behaviour and the acceptance of parking guidance systems require at least four external factors.
Abstract