Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 1
Principles, Issues and Viewpoints of Traveler
Information in a Multimodal Context
1.1.
Introduction
Traveler information in a multimodal context covers all of the information
necessary for the preparation and realization of a journey that uses several means of
transport. The term multimodal, often used in literature related to human-computer
interaction (HCI) (or more generally human-machine interaction), must be
interpreted in the sense of mobility here, that is to say the use of several means or
modes of transport. It is rare that a journey is monomodal (only one mode being
involved). As an example, the use of an automobile requires the “walking” mode to
access or leave the vehicle. In this field, when asked “what is traveler information?”
it is customary to answer: “information is what reduces the traveler's uncertainty”.
This rough definition allows two main points to be put forward: that it is
centered on the traveler, the receiver of information; it highlights the fact that the
value of information is measured in the reduction of the resulting uncertainty: any
message that does not lead to a reduction in uncertainty must be considered noise.
Surveys [GIL 97] have shown that the traveler awaits “hot” signals from
dynamic information, such as information about the arrival of the next metro or bus
for example. The main objective of information is therefore to reduce the traveler's
uncertainty. The information must be clear, precise and meet the needs of the person
and his context of mobility; for example, by giving him the quickest multimodal
