Pervasive Gaming as a Potential Solution to Traffic Congestion: New Challenges Regarding Ethics, Privacy and Trust

The I-GEAR project explores the use of pervasive, serious gaming as a non-infrastructure solution to traffic congestion in Luxembourg. By leveraging smartphone technology, the project aims to influence driver behavior through a combination of financial and non-financial incentives, such as status rewards and collaborative gaming mechanics. The central thesis posits that while such systems offer significant potential for mobility management, they introduce complex, interdisciplinary challenges regarding ethics, privacy, and user trust that often fall outside the scope of traditional technical research.

The project utilizes a contextual design methodology to identify user-specific motivations and incentives. Key data points involve the collection of sensitive information, including GPS location, user profiles, and driving patterns. Because these data qualify as personal information under EU Directive 95/46/EC, the project emphasizes the necessity of strict adherence to legal frameworks, particularly regarding informed consent and the limitation of data usage to predefined purposes. A significant challenge identified is the tension between the legal requirement for comprehensive end-user license agreements and the practical need for readability to ensure meaningful user consent.

Trust is identified as a critical, perceived quality that extends beyond mere legal compliance. The analysis concludes that establishing trust in a high-risk environment like driving requires both transparency in data handling and a demonstrated commitment to safety. The authors argue that current research often overlooks these ethical and privacy dimensions due to a narrow focus on technical development. Ultimately, the project highlights the need for a more integrated approach that balances the persuasive nature of pervasive games with the fundamental rights and safety of participants.