Why do people turn down the heat? Applying behavioural theories to assess reductions in space heating and energy consumption in Europe

Reducing heating-related energy consumption is vital in Europe, where it accounts for a significant portion of domestic energy usage. We studied the factors that influence reduced heating-related consumption by using three theoretical frameworks: the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the Value Belief Norm theory, and the Prototype Willingness Model....

Yield or not to yield? An inquiry into drivers’ behaviour when a fully automated vehicle indicates a lane-changing intention

Automated vehicles have started to be integrated into the road transportation system and operate in a mixed traffic environment. To ensure a smooth and successful integration, it is vital to have a good understanding of the human factor challenges involved in the process, especially the issues related to other road users who will share roads...

Exploring and Closing the Attitude-Behaviour Gap in Residential Energy Consumption

What exactly causes the emergence of the attitude-behaviour gap, and to what extent, is not fully understood. Previous academic research has shown that many barriers to adoption remain, and that difficulty lies in the heterogeneity of consumers. Through the use of a simulation model this thesis explores the emergence of the attitude-behaviour...

The Role Of The EU In Encouraging Sustainable Protein Consumption: An Agent-Based Model On The Effect Of Social Norms On Reducing Meat Consumption in the Netherlands

The IPCC report of August 2021 calls for an immediately reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Without changing the world’s diets, even if we stop all fossil fuel emissions today, we would still not be able to maintain global warming below 1.5°C. The EU has set out their strategy for reducing agricultural emissions in the Farm to Fork Strategy,...

Actor Behaviour and Robustness of Industrial Symbiosis Networks: An Agent-Based Modelling Approach

Industrial Symbiosis Networks (ISNs) consist of firms that exchange residual materials and energy locally, in order to gain economic, environmental and/or social advantages. In practice, ISNs regularly fail when partners leave and the recovery of residual streams ends. Regarding the current societal need for a shift towards sustainability, it is...

Beyond Good Intentions: The Role of the Building Passport for the Sustainable Conservation of Built Heritage to Behavioural Change

Despite the recognised importance of built heritage for sustainable development, and the multiple tools, recommendations, guidelines, and policies developed in recent years to support decision-making, good sustainable conservation practices often fail to be implemented. Challenges faced by practitioners often relate to external factors, and...

Engagement in violations among young moped riders – Using a qualitative approach to reveal underlying beliefs

Introduction: Moped riders have a comparably high risk of getting seriously injured or killed in road traffic crashes. The moped is the first motor vehicle legally available to adolescents, but knowledge about young moped riders is limited. The few existing studies indicate that violations are a key factor in crash involvement. Method: Using...

Factors influencing consumer acceptance of vehicle-to-grid by electric vehicle drivers in the Netherlands

The objective of this study is to identify factors that influence actual electric vehicle (EV) drivers’ acceptance of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) charging. The study takes a qualitative approach in order to provide insight into actual EV users’ perceptions of V2G technology and their underlying motivation to accept or not accept V2G. The Theory of...

Getting in the path of the robot: Pedestrians acceptance of crossing roads near fully automated vehicles

Adoption of Automated Vehicles (AVs) within transport networks relies on the technology acceptance of not only AV users, but also other road users such as pedestrians. However, previous research has mostly focused on user acceptance of AVs and the receptivity of pedestrians towards AVs has been largely unexplored. This study aims to fill this...

Property Rights for Decentralised Organic Waste Processing

The increase in consumption of resources has led to more waste being generated, which then needs to be managed at the end of their life-cycle as waste. Current practices of waste management are not efficient as they lead to a release of emissions and a loss of value that is present in the resource, which is discarded as waste. New legislation...

Dutch electric vehicle drivers' acceptance of vehicle-to-grid at long-term parking

The objective of this study was identifying factors that contribute to Dutch electric vehicle (EV) drivers’ acceptance of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) at long-term parking lots. The results of this study aim to help V2G system designers to improve the quality of bi-directional V2G charging services for EV users and to foster V2G acceptance. The...

Adoption of Electric Bicycle for the Daily Commute: Investigating Behavioral Factors in a Pilot Study

Cycling as a way of commuting is becoming more attractive from the eyes of the public, employers, and policymakers. By offering the ability to go faster with less physical effort, electric bicycles (e-bikes) can motivate more people to cycle to work. While the numbers of e-bicycles sold in the Netherlands is increasing (BOVAG-RAI, 2017; Plazier,...

The participation of greenhouses in the redispatch market for congestion management on the electricity grid: Judging the redispatch market based on greenhouse grower specific characteristics

The growing share of renewable electricity generation poses a balancing challenge on the electricity grid and thus increases probability of for congestion on the electricity grid. On the supply side, flexibility can be built into the system. One option for a market to avoid congestion is the redispatch market, which is the way of solving...

Using social media mining for estimating theory of planned behaviour parameters

In this position paper we present the scenario of making interventions for increasing the classical music concert-going behaviour of end users. Within the FP7 Phenicx project we are developing a personalized persuasive system that attempts at changing the concert-going behaviour of users. The system is based on the theory of planned behaviour...

Eco-innovations in the chemical industry: Motivation factors and barriers

The chemical industry is considered as one of the most important sectors from an environmental point of view. As a result, many chemical companies have been at the forefront of both using innovative technologies and up-to-date environmental management practices. However, the sector faces an ever increasing pressure from its stakeholders and...