Passenger information function preferences based on travel frequency and expertise.

User-centred passenger information design is a critical to overall rail passenger experience. One factor that can shape travel information use is passenger frequency of travel and trip knowledge, or expertise. Knowledge may potentially influence information seeking and perceived usefulness, and thus provide a basis to prioritise and personalise information. 293 survey participants rated their frequency of rail travel and self-reported travel knowledge and rated 36 rail information functions for usefulness. Results confirmed trip frequency and self-reported expertise are strongly linked. Factor analysis identified most information functions fall into distinct six groups, with differential effects of travel frequency and expertise on information function preferences, though this only accounted for limited variance. Differential effects were also found for critical information functions that could not be factored. Overall, there is partial support for personalisation by trip frequency and expertise, particularly for disruption information or where unfamiliar passengers need support with basic trip activities.