DRIVERS' PRIVACY CONCERNS ON AUTOMATIC VEHICLE DETECTION SYSTEM FOR TRAFFIC DATA COLLECTION IN HONG KONG

Automatic vehicle detection system applies the automatic vehicle identification technology involving in-vehicle device, roadside antenna, and central computer. It has been widely used for toll collection and incident detection. In Hong Kong, similar system exists in the AutoToll system for tunnel fee collection. Times, locations, vehicle types were all detected and recorded for the charging purpose. For general transportation studies, data such as flow demand pattern, vehicle type, traveling speed, OD and path information, etc. are required mainly from loop detectors, manual counting, and questionnaire survey involving different types of coverage and error problems. By using the automatic vehicle detection system, various kinds of traffic data can be collected in real-time basis eliminating most human errors. Adequate penetration of vehicles with the detection devices and roadside antennas is required. Drivers' privacy concerns due to the intensive vehicle detection are the critical issue to be resolved. The present study examines drivers' including vehicle owners and non-vehicle owners of different vehicle types acceptability of the application of the system in Hong Kong through a questionnaire survey. Short questions are designed and simple answers are required from drivers at different locations so as to reduce the contact time and increase the successful rate. Over 400 drivers were interviewed and promising results were observed from the questionnaire survey. Significant number of drivers could be convinced to install the detection device for vehicle detection if attractive promotion schemes such as offering discount to the annual vehicle license fee and reducing the difficulties for installation are given.