THE REASSURING EFFECTS OF ICT IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: THE PERSPECTIVES OF OLDER ADULTS

摘要

Older adults’ perspectives on public transportation-related ICT are explored across threescenarios: video surveillance (CCTV), real-time travel information (RTI), and a personal,pedestrian navigation system (NAV) with public transportation information. Swedishrespondents’ perceptions indicate positive effects on one’s sense of assurance across thescenarios, particularly in situations perceived as more vulnerable, such as using the subwayand traveling alone or in an unfamiliar setting. Of the three scenarios, CCTV elicits the mostfavorable responses, although this does not directly translate to perceived personal benefit,where RTI is rated the highest. NAV is ranked relatively lower for effects on assurance,although this pattern is broken for car and walking modes where the navigation function maybe prioritized. Thus, personal control over aspects of the trip better explains responses thandoes personal control over ICT use, as ICT can serve to reduce (perceived) uncertainties,improving one’s sense of assurance. Significant differences are found for gender, but not forfurther age stratification. Overall, female respondents feel relatively less assured whentraveling and rate the technological applications’ effects on their assurance more highly thanmen. Although men express a greater personal interest in technology, it appears that there ismore potential for women to positively benefit in terms of greater perceived assurance. Thiscalls into question the possibilities of effectively addressing user needs or concerns, especiallyvia technologies intended for individual use, if those who potentially serve to gain more bythem are not being reached or are not as interested in such “solutions”.