Download files
Abstract
The convergence of transport, communication, computing and positioning technologies
has enabled a smart car revolution. As a result, pricing of roads based
on telematics technologies has gained significant attention. While there are
promised benefits, systematic disclosure of precise location has the ability to
impinge on privacy of a special kind, known as location privacy.
The aim of this thesis is to provide technical designs that enhance the location
privacy of motorists without compromising the benefits of accurate pricing.
However, this research looks beyond a solely technology-based solution. For example,
the ethical implications of the use of GPS data in pricing models have
not been fully understood. Likewise, minimal research exists to evaluate the
technical vulnerabilities that could be exploited to avoid criminal or financial
penalties. To design a privacy-aware system, it is important to understand the
needs of the stakeholders, most importantly the motorists. Knowledge about the
anticipated privacy preferences of motorists is important in order to make reasonable
predictions about their future willingness to adopt these systems. There
is limited research so far on user perceptions regarding specific payment options
in the uptake of privacy-aware systems.
This thesis provides a critical privacy assessment of two mobility pricing
systems, namely electronic tolls and mobility-priced insurance. As a result of
this assessment, policy recommendations are developed which could support a
common approach in facilitating privacy-aware mobility-pricing strategies. This
thesis also evaluates the existing and potential inferential threats and vulnerabilities
to develop security and privacy recommendations for privacy-aware pricing
designs for tolls and insurance. Utilising these policy recommendations and
analysing user-perception with regards to the feasibility of sustaining privacy ,
and willingness to pay for privacy, two privacy-aware mobility pricing designs
have been presented which bridge the entire array of privacy interests and bring
them together into a unified approach capable of sustaining legal protection as
well as satisfying privacy requirements of motorists. It is maintained that it is
only by social and technical analysis working in tandem that critical privacy
issues in relation to location can be addressed.