Enabling Data-Driven Mobility Research: Design Principles and Design Features for an Open Platform Approach

Abstract

In the field of mobility research, up-to-date data are needed in order to explore current problems and challenges. Proponents of Open Science argue that research data should be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). Adopting the Design Science Research methodology, we derive design requirements, design principles and design features for a suitable platform to realize the FAIR principles, based on a literature review, existing solutions, and interviews with mobility researchers (with qualitative and quantitative research backgrounds). In a practical way, and after an evaluation of our prototype, we show how a platform should be designed to allow users, regardless of their level of experience, to participate. We contribute to the discussion in the field of Open Science on how artifacts should be designed according to an open design, which also takes into account the different needs of researchers.