Passenger information systems in media networks: Patterns, preferences, prototypes

In the study we explore how users evaluate new self-service applications for mobile phones. The application under examination is a passenger information system for public transport. The study is part of an interdisciplinary project (Cairo, context aware intermodal routing) and investigates two questions: How do users evaluate the communicative usability of novel applications? Which characteristics are relevant and how does the knowledge about already established communicative patterns, means and services influence their judgements? To explore the users' expectations and mental models user tests were conducted with two groups: younger and older participants. The results show that new applications have to be analysed against the background of established multi-media networks. Within this networks, different media and communicative formats get the status of key solutions and reference objects. Thus, self-service applications as part of media networks require a terminological, structural and visual harmonization.