Assessment of User Needs for an Electric-Powered Personal Transportation Unit in Urban Environment
Year: 2009
Editor: Norell Bergendahl, M.; Grimheden, M.; Leifer, L.; Skogstad, P.; Lindemann, U.
Author: Eurich, Markus; Jamali, Nadia; Löf/er, Karin
Series: ICED
Section: Design for X, Design to X
Page(s): 207-216
Abstract
This paper presents the results of a usage study of an electric-powered personal transportation unit in urban environment. The study is based on a qualitative and quantitative data analysis, which is divided into three phases: In the first phase, called "Expectations", face-to-face interviews were conducted to figure out participants' expectations towards the usage of the unit. In the second phase, called "Perceptions", the participants were asked via an online questionnaire about their opinion of using the unit for their daily commute. In the third and final phase, called "Experiences", the participants were asked through a face to face interview about their overall experience with the vehicle in urban environment. Moreover, questions about the hardware and functionally of electric-powered transportation units were asked. The study results show that electric-powered personal transportation units can be used in urban transportation, however only with some restriction, such as traffic regulations that would have to be changed.
Keywords: User needs, technological innovation, design to regulation