Peerception
When expectations clash on the move: Peerception shows you how you can communicate easily whilst using public transport.
A study project by Hanna Bergmann
3rd semester, 2026
Tutors: Martin Haas, Tanja Hakl, Romina Marsico, Tsune Tanaka, Tomas Zebis
The starting point
As part of the third semester, we are exploring the topic of ‘Interaction on the move’. Interaction on the move occurs when people interact with one another whilst travelling from one place to another. It requires a reason – a motivation – which is often influenced by social norms. These unspoken rules act like scripts that guide our expectations of others and our own behaviour. They are particularly evident on public transport: have you ever wondered why we let others get off before we get on, or why people in England queue at bus stops whilst we don’t here? Social norms are behind this.
The problem
Our expectations don’t always match those of others, which can lead to conflicts. It doesn’t always have to be a major conflict, though; sometimes even a brief moment is enough: the train is packed. You’re just getting on, making your way down the aisle. Then you spot a seat. But just as you’re about to sit down, someone beats you to it.
The idea
Peerception was developed to provide a quick and easy way to resolve seat disputes. The aim is to offer a way to quickly agree on who is entitled to the seat. Peerception provides the information on who is entitled to the seat. The solution can be used to resolve the conflict impartially or as a starting point for a discussion to reach an agreement: the decision as to who ultimately sits in the seat is entirely up to you.
The solution in detail
To achieve the aim of simple and swift resolution in the event of a seat dispute, the service makes use of a well-known rule from everyday life: ‘First come, first served’. In this case, however, it is not a question of who reaches the seat first, but who boarded the vehicle first. The boarding time is recorded using RFID technology.
To enable a quick resolution in the event of a seat dispute, passengers can compare their boarding times by holding their mobile phones close together using NFC, thereby determining who is entitled to the seat.
Implementation
Digital tickets are now well established. The Deutsche Bahn app is often used to access them. For this reason, a prototype was created that simulates being part of this app. Wireframes were drawn up and a React application was coded for this purpose. The retrieval of information is simulated by holding mobile phones close together using an NFC tag.
Distinctive feature
Unlike rigid seat reservation systems, Peerception offers the possibility of providing clear guidance whilst still allowing scope for a flexible solution.