Initiatives and challenges in using gamification in transportation: a systematic mapping

Abstract

Gamification is a new theme that has been applied in different fields and has contributed to different types of behavioural change. This paper aims to describe how gamification is adopted in the context of transportation. We performed a systematic mapping of the scientific literature of Web of Science and retrieved 211 studies. After the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 66 studies were selected. After the full texts were read, 30 studies remained to be analysed. The results show that the most commonly used gamification elements are goals/challenges and points. Gamification provides support for outcomes such as changing travel behaviour, improving driving behaviour and encouraging bicycle commuting. The use of gamification has changed the behavior of travelers, promoted sustainable travel modes, encouraged safe driving, reduced carbon dioxide emissions and reduced energy consumption. Although gamification has achieved many positive results related to transportation, there are still many difficulties and challenges.