ways2dat I

As part of the ways2dat study, a guideline with comprehensive recommendations for the integration of test persons in mobility research projects will be prepared. Furthermore, a prototypical demonstration of the structure, function and use of a test person data pool will take these recommendations into account. The aim is to create the basis for efficient access to test subjects and the necessary methodological knowledge in order to increase the attractiveness and quality of the involvement of test persons in R&D projects.

Client: bmvit, ways2go 2nd call for tenders

Duration: February 2010 to October 2010 (9 months)

Project partners: Brimatech Services GesmbH, one’s own gmbH

Project description:

The behaviour of people is a determining factor for developments in the areas of transport and mobility. Empirical survey methods have in common that the corresponding persons (groups) have to be identified, selected and addressed. However, at present there are neither uniform recommendations for the involvement of test subjects in projects nor is there a central access or an efficient access system to the test subjects adequate for the respective questions. This represents a potential barrier and requires an Austria-wide, comprehensive and simple solution. In the ways2dat study, in addition to the analysis of nationally and internationally available subject data pools, the needs of different user groups of such a pool are defined together with them and recommendations are derived and validated. This forms the basis for the creation of a prototype data pool based on an innovative key-person system. Key persons are contact persons who through their function as network nodes, provide access to people (groups) that are usually difficult to access (e.g. partner teachers at schools, senior citizens’ home managers etc.).

This makes it possible to reach a large number and variety of test persons, reduces the amount of support required and makes it easier to update the data pool. Furthermore, method options for empirical surveys and possible alternatives for the integration of test persons are pointed out. In a well-founded business and operator model, adequate possibilities for the continuation of the test person data pool are identified. The results of the ways2dat study are uniform recommendations regarding organisational, methodological, legal and ethical aspects of the integration of test persons as well as appropriate motivation, payment and compensation practices. Furthermore, an innovative key-person system will be developed, on the basis of which the prototypical implementation of a data pool for test persons for a selected sub-area of the field of traffic and mobility will take place. This creates the basis for efficient access to test subjects and the necessary methodological knowledge to increase the attractiveness of involving test subjects in R&D projects.

Four project partners which perfectly complement each other for the topic are involved in the project implementation. Brimatech Services GmbH brings experience in user involvement and broad methodological knowledge to the project. AIT Mobility, as a representative of potential users, has many years of experience with R&D projects in the field of mobility. The netwiss GesmbH already addresses potential customers with the transport-knowledge platform vewip and contributes many years of experience in national and international research projects in the field of transport and mobility. Strobl, Horvath and Schinagl have expertise in the design of web solutions, web development and database solutions and are responsible for the technical implementation of the data pool in the ways2dat study. The consortium is thus excellently suited to deliver implementation-oriented results of high quality.

Contact: Alex Schubert