As part of its investigation activities within Viajeo’s demosite in São Paulo, a survey was performed on the end user needs. The group of people surveyed was comprised of business travellers and local residents. Their views were collected on the available traveller information services and what kind of improvements could be achieved.
Business travellers originating from Europe and China expressed in interviews that they did not use any traveller information services in São Paulo to plan their trips. The reasons were they did not consider using any other modes of transport but taxis due to security concerns and language barrier. In other words, the visitors had already assumed that taxi would be their main travel mode in São Paulo before their arrival. The subjects also expressed that the high level of congestion made travel very difficult in a city that is so large and often affected by severe congestion. They expressed that a service which can give them estimated journey times from one location to another at different times of the day would be extremely useful. Such service would allow them to plan their trips in São Paulo in a more efficient way. Another useful service interviewees would like to see implemented is real-time information upon request and accessed by mobile phone for example allowing travellers to know if they will arrive on time at their destination. All services are expected to be in English.
The investigation also targeted the local residents who were surveyed through an online questionnaire. In total 30 people replied to the questionnaire. Of them, 64.3% were car drivers and 35.7% are public transport users. Of all the car drivers, 57.5% had a navigation device. While all participants had a mobile phone, 44% of them had a smart phone.
Different from international visitors, 96.4% of the local residents surveyed use web-based traveller information services to find directions in the city. Only 3.6% of residents had never used any traveller information. 35.7% of the participants still use radio as the main source for real-time traffic information, while 53.6% use internet as the main media to access real-time traffic information, and only 10.7% use mobile phone to access real-time traffic information.
The survey reveals that 50% of the participants are satisfied (very or fairly) with the quality of existing traveller services, while 35.5% are neither satisfied nor not and 10.7% are fairly dissatisfied. The result indicates that there is room for improvement of the service quality.
Users’ opinion on quality of existing services
When answering the question “what kind of information do you want to have in São Paulo?” as the chart below reveals, there are strong needs for various kinds of traveller information. It should be noted that the local residents and visitors have similar needs on real-time congestion warning, and real-time estimation of travel time.
Users’ opinions on what kind of service needed in Sao Paulo
The residents were also asked if they are willing to share information relating to their location / position to improve traffic information. Of all participants, 64% replied yes and 36% said no, indicating there is an opportunity to use private cars as floating vehicles to collect traffic data.
Users’ opinion on being willing to share information
As the investigation in São Paulo has reached its final stage, the Viajeo activities will move to the development stage, with the demonstrations and final event taking place in 2012. For more information please contact the Viajeo team |
