Incorporating Driver Preference in Routing a Real Life Implementation and Evaluation of the ‘personalized Adaptive Routing Algorithm’. Status: Final Report

PREFACE This thesis represents a culmination of work and learning that has taken place over a period of over one year (May 2012 until July 2013). It marks the conclusion of my study Civil Engineering and Management at the University of Twente. During the master Traffic Engineering & Management, I received the opportunity to participate in a variety of courses in which several state of the art facets of traffic and transport were introduced and elaborated. The topics ranged from the policy perspective, the development of traffic models towards the application of intelligent transportation systems. During one of the final courses I was challenged in a project in which an indicator framework was to be developed that could be used to observe, assess and reward the traffic safety performance within the driving behavior of users by means of a flexible insurance premium. During the course of the project it became apparent that user acceptance and the attitude from the driver towards a measure is a pivotal factor determining the success and failure of a proposed measure. Especially when developing and implementing a system in which the insurance premium is based on the safety performance, that seeks the boundaries in terms of individual privacy, the discussion concerning user acceptance becomes even more delicate and complex. In my opinion the conjunction between the user and the traffic system is intriguing, in a world in which most traffic engineers tend to think in technical-physical solutions it is worthwhile to utilize a different viewpoint in which the user receives priority. During one of the last theoretical courses of the curriculum I came in contact with the Smart Mobility department of the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). During the initial conversations it became apparent that TNO is developing a smartphone application which aims too " relieve " the driver by minimizing the discomfort and surprises while travelling. Within the near future the application aims to supply tailor-made travel information which is relevant for the individual user and his current trip. Currently TNO is investigating the behavioral implications, the user acceptance and the personal attitudes towards the application and invited me, as part of my final thesis, to participate in this interesting and challenging field of research. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed to this thesis. First and foremost I would like to thank my supervisors …