The role of usability in the design and evaluation of dynamic traffic displays

Abstract

Dynamic traffic displays are continuously replacing solid traffic signs [cf. e.g. 1]. Besides their obvious benefits, dynamic traffic signs may cause many potential problems, which are to be considered in the design and implementation of new signs. A project is presented by describing the basic considerations and methods applied in the development of a dynamic traffic display which was designed with the goal to optimally present information to traffic participants and support a behavioral change. The steps performed within the development process of design alternatives are presented as well as the different usability engineering methods applied in a web survey and an exploratory study in order to evaluate the design alternatives. © 2008 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.