Trust-networks for changing driver behaviour during severe weather

Studies on on-road behaviour imply that designing user-centred services is important for raising awareness about severe weather and adverse road conditions. Along with the developments of new communication technologies and practices, the research area of ITS is challenged to move on from traditional ways of collecting and distributing traffic weather information. This study presents two methods for potential improvements and personalisation of traffic weather information. The methods were demonstrated and evaluated by 440 respondents in Stockholm. Weather alerts were sent by SMS 12-48 h, up to a week, prior to the occurrence of severe weather events during 2008-2010. The service was personalised because of assumptions regarding perception and memory of weather, including user's recent observations. The second aspect of potential improvement was the introduction of a social network component, including user-generated local weather observations. The impact of the service was evaluated in a longitudinal study through a series of questionnaires on user behaviour and evaluation of the service. The combination of the two methods proved efficient as the amount of changed decisions was of considerable amplitude. A correlation between time of exposure and changed decisions implies that social components and interactivity may be a powerful tool in traffic weather services and ITS.