The project addresses a number of gaps
in the current literature on perceptions and values of new transport
technologies.
It brings together two strands of
research: i) investigation of public perceptions to determine broad
acceptability and ii) measurement of economic values (measured by
willingness to pay) and related demand for hydrogen buses to assess
economic viability. Carrying out both types of assessment simultaneously
will permit an analysis of how perceptions of hydrogen buses influence
their perceived economic value and the public demand for them.
Although, a number of studies have
examined the economic value of adopting more environmentally friendly
technologies and fuels comparatively little academic work has been
directed at valuing the environmental benefits of cleaner transport
technologies, such as reduced air quality impacts and noise levels.
Broadly, existing research seems to indicate that environmental
considerations play a very limited role in the choice of cleaner
transport technologies. Not surprisingly, financial considerations
and vehicle performance seem to be paramount. However, none of the
existing economic valuation work has focused on emissions-free hydrogen
vehicles specifically. Most research assessing the potential for
hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the transport market has only looked
at the strict technical and financial feasibility of the technology
and not at its wider economic impacts. Furthermore, research has
typically analysed preferences for private car ownership. This project
complements and extends previous economic valuation work by focusing
on hydrogen fuel cell buses and their environmental benefits for
the public.
The current project is believed to
be unique in that it will carry out two identical surveys in each
city, one before and one after major HB demonstration projects have
been run, in order to assess the level of influence that each project
has on public perceptions and economic preferences. The project
then extends the analysis a stage further by comparing the level
of influence that each of the five demonstration projects has, in
order to identify the critical factors that lead to success in introducing
the technology. These will be developed into recommendations for
how to maximise the positive influence of future demonstration projects.
Hence, the results of the study are expected to be valuable for
the design and operation of future hydrogen vehicle demonstration
projects, and also in the introduction of hydrogen vehicles in mainstream
operation.
The use of different
cities and geographies will enable an understanding of locally-specific
factors that influence the different demonstrations to be developed.
Factors influencing these different geographies and cultures will
be identified and highlighted for use in future project development.