Using a board game to explain a concept model: Experience from multimodal traffic management

In the near future, traffic has to be managed in new ways to facilitate a more resilient transport system and integration of connected and autonomous vehicles and vessels. This paper presents our experiences with designing and using a serious board game as a tool for spreading knowledge and getting feedback on a concept model for future multimodal traffic management designed to handle these challenges. Our research has been done within a design science framework, where a table-top board game was the main artefact designed and tested in several quick iterations. The relevance of the board game was evaluated through two workshops where data were collected using a digital questionnaire and through observations and audio recording of the game play sessions. One main result is the board game with game elements that can be mapped to the concept model, and a description of how the game evolved through the iterations of design and testing. This can serve as an example for others on how a board game can be developed based on a concept model. In addition, results from the questionnaire show that most of the respondents agree or strongly agree that the board game made central concepts more concrete and understandable and that it triggered good discussions, and this is also supported by the observations and recordings. We conclude that a table-top board game can support the spreading of knowledge from a concept model to stakeholders in the transport domain. A board game suitable for such use can be developed using moderate resources by mapping concepts from the model to the game, using rapid iterations of prototyping and testing, and maintaining a focus on what you want the participants to learn and discuss. • Serious board games facilitate knowledge transfer and discussions with stakeholders. • Concepts models can be made more concrete and understandable through a board game. • Valuable serious board games can be developed within limited resources and time.