The aim of the SUMMITS-3 project is to define a cooperative road-vehicle system, which takes into account the self-organizing properties of traffic. The first actions towards a prototype include designing a communication system with which to support navigation (route choice) and merging. Central to this approach is the need for insight into 1) ways to encourage people to perform a desired behaviour and 2) how groups (swarms) of vehicles behave and, subsequently, can be addressed. We developed the MIO STO model, which offers a systematic approach to stimulating behaviour change. MIO STO is described and subsequently related to the contents of the SUMMITS-3 project. In addition, we provide an analysis of traffic swarms based on social psychological processes. The MIO STO model distinguishes between three levels of (influence) goals: strategic, tactical and operational. Three corresponding levels of interventions, which can be used to achieve the specified goals, are also defined: measures, instruments and object design. The analysis of swarms distinguishes between 1) dispositional swarms, membership in which is based on pre-existing characteristics (e.g., trip goal) and 2) flash swarms, membership in which is based on a shared but transitory characteristic that arises during the trip (e.g., a row of cars stopped at a traffic light). MIO STO offers support to the SUMMITS-3 project by providing insight into 1) which type of behaviour we want to change and 2) the methods available for encouraging drivers to change their behaviour. The analysis of swarms defines and describes this phenomenon in such a way that it can better be operationalized for further research. Moreover, the analysis provides insight into ways of realizing behavioural change within swarms by, for example, regulating undesirable behaviour with laws or offering viable alternatives. (Author/publisher)
Abstract