Towards a Model for Driver Information Systems Use in a Developing
Country
O.A. Randle
1
, R.M. Kekwaletswe
2
Sol Plaatje University
1
, University of the Witwatersrand
2
South Africa
Abstract
This paper conceptualizes a model for the
acceptance and use of Drivers Information Systems
(DIS), in the context of a developing country. DIS
are transport and traffic systems designed to make it
easier for government officials and traffic officers to keep
track of changes and occurrences within a country’s roads
and traffic registrations. That is, they are meant to
improve the quality of traffic and management of
transportation within a country. These systems include
online vehicle registration, electronic payment of
fines and electronic toll collection services. Although
the Driver Information System has been implemented
in some developing countries their acceptance and
use has not been satisfactory. To this point, informed
by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of
Technology, Social Cognitive Theory and
Organization Culture Theory, this paper
conceptualizes a model for the proper acceptance
and use of the system.
1. Introduction
The world is developing into a digital
environment and this has influenced traffic and
transportation. This influence can be seen through
the introduction of Intelligent Transportation
Systems (ITS). Transportation has moved from cash
based society to an automated society and it has also
improved with the drivers license systems, and it is
now referred to as Intelligent Transportation System
or vehicle Information systems
These systems are supported by Intelligent
transportation infrastructures, the ITS has several
components but in developing countries such as
South Africa some of them have been introduced
such as eToll (a system designed to assist
government collect revenue from motorists), eNaTIS
(which is a system which is intended for users to be
able to register their vehicles and update their vehicle
details) and Transman (A traffic camera system)
while in Nigeria they are currently introducing and
implementing the Drivers Information System(DIS).
All these systems are designed to assist the
government of the respective countries to control the
flow of vehicles and improve the security of lives
and properties and also have a better traffic statistical
data.
These systems also assist governments in
generating revenue through payment of fines, assists
in tracking traffic offenders and control the flow of
traffic on the major highways [1]. It even helps to
improve road security and properties by being able to
take videos while monitoring vehicles and road
traffic.
With the ever increasing number of vehicles on
the roads in the cities and villages, there is need for a
method by which drivers can be can be monitored
and enforcement of traffic fines can be implemented.
This led to the introduction of the automated
driver’s license system which was previously done
on paper in the various vehicle department offices
through Vehicle License officer (VLO) until the
introduction of the Drivers Information systems
(DIS).
2. Related Works
e-Revenue license is the vehicle registration
system used in SRI LANKA as a country , the
system was developed as a result of the problems
which the nation faced due to its cumbersome
vehicle registration processes, the problem included
the fact that vehicle owners had to go to the
designated Vehicle License Officer (VLO) in their
province which meant long hours of driving, and
even after registering the vehicle the drivers could
not get the disk because the VLO still had to take it
to the head office to get the vehicle license disc.
This problems led to the introduction of e-
revenue license process in 2003, and this allowed the
designated VLO to be able to obtain vehicle
information, through a centrally located system, and
thereby reduced the time being spent from days to
hours at the vehicle department in the province, and
this helped the country to reduce the number of
paperwork being used at the department as well as
the long queues. Furthermore the nation of SRI
LANKA improved on their vehicle system by
making a drive in system where drivers get their
licenses renewed within 2 minutes while sited in
their vehicle.
In 2010 the system was completely moved to an
online system whereby drivers did not need to come
to the vehicle department any longer, but could apply
for renewal and do the renewal online, pay bills
International Journal for Infonomics (IJI), Volume 8, Issue 2, June 2015
Copyright © 2015, Infonomics Society 1009