An empirical method to explore the need for driver support systems in qualitative research is reported. The method bases on the critical incidents technique: Not the trip in general, but special incidents while driving define the subjective assessment of a whole trip by the driver. Attractive driver support systems should deal with those critical incidents. By various methods (in-depths-interview, self-observation, observation) those critical incidents have been gathered. In addition focus group concepts for driver support systems were developed in order to assess the critical incidents been gathered before. The method describes a very intensive work with the test persons. Therefore the sample is not very extensive. Consequently the criteria described in the report - how to select the sample of test persons - are very important for the quality of the results. (Author/publisher).
Abstract