BEVs beyond Range Anxiety – Cognitive Interviews to Elicit the Perception of Mode Choice1

AbstractElectric mobility comprises a variety of transportation systems, notably the combination of public transport and electrically powered vehicles. It serves as an inherent part of future urban integrated mobility concepts. From the users’ perspective, e-mobility has so far been discussed via a comparison of cars with internal combustion engines (ICEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV). As a result, discussions have focused on vehicle range, costs and battery charging times. However, cognitive perceptions and emotions play a significant role in the formation of preferences in mode choices. A special research design reveals that individuals take an interest in more characteristics of modes of transport than those that are know from previous research. In addition, three anticipation clusters can be identified for individuals. Respondents perceived BEVs either with a high similarity to ICEVs, to urban public transport or as being similar to pedelecs and segways. These results lead to the conclusion that when studying the acceptance of BEVs, a comparison between ICEVs and BEVs is not sufficient to grasp the complete user perspective

Facing the complexity of transport models and innovative developments in sustainable mobility

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Integrated charging infrastructure : Cognitive interviews to identify preferences in charging options

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to provide insight into how people assess different charging options in the context of electric mobility and how charging can be integrated into daily activities. The central research question concerns the acceptance of fast charging with direct current up to 200 kWh relative to alternative charging concepts such as inductive charging or battery changes as a part of mobility routines. Method: The Repertory Grid Technique uses cognitive interviews based on the Personal Construct Theory by George Kelly to motivate respondents to reflect electric mobility beyond the insights that regular interview forms can provide. 20 respondents from Berlin were asked about their subjective perceptions and emotions relating to electric mobility and to different charging options. Results: Charging processes are accepted when they appear to proceed subconsciously. That is, options are accepted when they are not perceived to result in trip interruptions or delays. Fuelling a vehicle with an internal combustion engine is mostly not considered as a trip interruption, and provides a benchmark to which all other charging options are compared. We identify the need to integrate charging options into existing mobility patterns, and provide evidence arguing against the need for a comprehensive charging infrastructure from a users’ perspective. Conclusions: The Repertory Grid technique provides a valuable tool for the exploration of perceptions of public and private charging infrastructure. By overcoming difficulties in reaching an underlying reality that are inherent to standard interviews, this technique may be useful in creating a shift towards a more sustainable mobility

Early adopters of carsharing with and without BEVs with respect to gender preferences

The majority of current e-carsharing users are middle-aged men with a high education and high income; they are most likely to have a full-time employment. Women are consistently underrepresented in previous studies and therefore this paper focusses on characterization of female early adopters. It builds a basis to identify current female early adopters and understand their preferences in e-carsharing in order to address women as target groups for e-carsharing. A sample of 492 carsharing subscribers from Berlin is analysed according to socio-demographic backgrounds, mode choice, use and evaluation of (e-) carsharing services. Additionally, attitudinal indices and clusters based on mobility related attitudes are analysed to reveal significant differences between male and female users. Generally, the results confirm socio-demographic findings from previous literature about early adopters. Comparing females and males revealed differences in income, employment status and age. Female early adopters used battery electric vehicles (BEVs) more often than vehicles with an internal combustion engine and evaluate handling BEVs more positive. They show a higher bike affinity and lower affinities towards technology and innovation than male respondents. They combine public transportation and bicycling with the use of (e-) carsharing services as an additional part of urban mobility. Children do not seem to have an impact of the respective topics, although the findings suggest that services are not used with children. The analysis of carsharing schemes needs to focus on specific requirements of each trip (e.g. transporting or accompanying children) in order to make sustainable mobility an option for others than one ‘typical early adopter’. Document type: Articl

Are women greener than men? A preference analysis of women and men from major German cities over sustainable urban mobility

Travel patterns in daily life differ greatly between women and men, and differences in socialisation substantially impact travel mode choice. The literature has demonstrated a higher affinity towards local public transportation and sustainability for women. Men, by contrast, show a higher affinity towards cars, technology, and innovation. However, sex and gender factors have not been considered when examining innovative, sustainable urban mobility so far. A gender-sensitive perspective, therefore, is necessary to increase the possibility of using sustainable modes of transportation, including carsharing with battery-powered electric vehicles and, therefore, improve the quality of life in larger cities. This article closes this research gap with an analysis of a representative sample of 2400 respondents from four major cities in Germany based on Robin Law's theoretical framework of gendered daily mobility from 1999. In addition to socio-demographic, economic, and mobility-related factors, attitudes towards transport modes and the preferences for e-carsharing services are analysed to provide deeper insights into gender differences of urban dwellers. Grouped by age and gender, the presence of a child in the household is associated with different changes in preferences for specific modes of transport for women and men. Although the results indicate that urban women are more concerned about environmentally-friendly mobility in general and use cars less often than men, more women than men prefer going by car if there is a child under the age of 14 years in the household. There is unequal access to resources in mobility, which is in line with financial aspects being the main reason against car ownership for urban women. Parenthood has a positive effect on the acceptance of carsharing with battery-powered electric vehicles for women and men. In conclusion, gender differences result from different daily tasks, but there are also significant differences beyond this aspect that show a socially constructed gendered meaning of sustainable urban mobility. This research improves the understanding of sustainable urban mobility regarding gender differences, that is, the increase of car use of women with children, and the rejection of women of new mobility services. Only when gender differences are considered in planning processes, it will be possible to improve the quality of living in urban areas by reducing urban space scarcity, local and global emissions, and noise exposure.TU Berlin, Open-Access-Mittel – 202

Are electric vehicles masculinized? Gender, identity, and environmental values in Nordic transport practices and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) preferences

In this paper, we provide a comparative and mixed methods assessment of the gendered dimensions of electric mobility and stated preferences for electric vehicles in the Nordic region. This includes the potential for such vehicles to be configured in a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) manner, where they can store energy and offer services to the grid, generating revenue and accelerating decarbonisation. Based primarily on a survey distributed to a mix of more than 5,000 respondents across five countries, research interviews, and focus groups, and supplemented with a comprehensive literature review, we examine how perceptions, attitudes, values and identities towards electric mobility differ by gender. We use this data to test, and largely confirm, with some exceptions, three hypotheses: H1: Men use cars (conventional and electric) more than women, more often own a car or EV, drive further than women, and use less public transport. H2: Women have stronger preferences for the environmentally friendly or safety attributes of vehicles (such as EVs and V2G), reflecting higher levels of environmental awareness. H3: Women attach less importance to acceleration, power, or sound, whereas men will emphasize range, sex appeal, and acceleration. In examining these hypotheses about gender, we reveal the more complex social dynamics behind how potential adopters in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden consider and calculate various aspects of conventional mobility, electric mobility, and V2G

Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy in Patients with Cervical Cancer. An intra-individual Comparison of Prone and Supine Positioning

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chemoradiation for cervical cancer patients is associated with considerable gastrointestinal toxicity. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has demonstrated superiority in terms of target coverage and normal tissue sparing in comparison to conventional 3D planning in gynaecological malignancies. Whether IMRT in prone (PP) or supine position (SP) might be beneficial for cervical cancer patients remains partially unanswered.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>10 patients on FIGO stage IB-III cervical cancer, 6 patients for definitive and 4 patients for adjuvant external beam pelvic RT, were planned in PP and SP using a 7-field IMRT technique. IMRT plans for PP and SP (mean dose, D_mean50.4 Gy) were optimized in terms of PTV coverage (1^stpriority) and small bowel sparing (2^ndpriority). A comparison of DVH parameters for PTV, small bowel, bladder, and rectum was performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The comparison showed a similar PTV coverage of 95% of the prescribed dose and for target conformity in IMRT plans (PP, SP). PTV, rectum and bladder volumes were comparable for PP and SP. Significantly larger volumes of small bowel were found in PP (436 cc, + 35%, p = 0.01). PP decreased the volume of small bowel at 20-50.4 Gy (p < 0.05) and increased the rectum volumes covered by doses from 10-40 Gy (p < 0.01), the V50.4 was < 5% in both treatment positions. Bladder sparing was significant better at 50.4 Gy (p = 0.03) for PP.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this dosimetric study, we demonstrated that pelvic IMRT in prone position for patients with cervical cancer seems to be beneficial in reducing small bowel volume at doses ≥20 Gy while providing similar target coverage and target conformity. The use of frequent image guidance with KV (kilovolt) or MV (megavolt) computertomography can reduce set-up deviations, and treatment in prone position can be done with a higher set-up accuracy. Clinical outcome studies are needed to affirm lower toxicity.</p

The impact of bladder filling on the development of genito-urinary acute toxicity during primary high-dose intensity modulated radiation therapy of the localized and locally advanced prostatic cancer

Die primäre hochdosierte intensitätsmodulierte Radiotherapie (IMRT) des lokalisierten und lokal fortgeschrittenen Prostatakarzinoms stellt eine onkologisch gleichwertige Therapiealternative zur radiaklen Prostatektomie dar, mit insgesamt günstigem Nebenwirkungsprofil. Inwiefern die Blasenfüllung während der Bestrahlungstherapie Einfluss auf die Entwicklung von urogenitaler (UG) Akuttoxizität hat, ist bisher nicht untersucht. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird untersucht, ob die Blasenfüllung während jeder Fraktion der primären Bestrahlungsbehandlung des lokalisierten und lokal fortgeschrittenen Prostatakarzinoms mittels Hochdosis-IMRT einen Einfluss auf die Ausbildung von UG Akuttoxizitäten hat.Primary high-dose intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in localized and local- ly advanced prostatic cancer is an alternative to radical prostatectomy with comparable oncological results and low toxicity. The role of bladder filling during the course of radiotherapy in the deve- lopment of genito- urinary (GU) acute toxicity has not been addressed. This study investigates the influence of bladder filling during each fraction of primary high-dose IMRT of the localized and locally advanced prostatic cancer on the development of GU acute toxicity

Individually constructed criteria for perception of urban transportation means – An approach based on Kelly’s personal construct theory

Understanding of acceptance of electric mobility has been typically discussed by a comparison of vehicles with different types of propulsion engines, battery electric vehicles and vehicles with an internal combustion engine. Nevertheless, electric mobility comprehends a combination of public transport and electric vehicles. The aim of this paper is to understand peoples’ outlook on electric mobility by identifying shared aspects of the assessment of battery electric vehicles and different user perspectives on transportation. A special research design in the form of repertory grids provides an opportunity to study the underlying causes of the cognitive perceptions and emotions relating to electric mobility. Cognitive interviews motivate respondents to reflect beyond the insights provided by standard forms of interview. Especially for the topic of battery electric vehicles, prejudices - for instance, those propagated by the media - are discarded and the actual requirements and patterns of mobility become visible. The special tasks involved in the interviews lead, for example, to deliberation on how to integrate battery charging processes into existing mobility patterns. This special method reveals that individuals take an interest in more characteristics of modes of transport than those that are usually analysed when researching electric mobility. In addition, three anticipation clusters can be identified for individuals with a higher affinity for cars. First, the perception of battery electric vehicles shows high levels of similarity to cars with internal combustion engines and that differentiating between types of engines is meaningless. Second, battery electric vehicles are perceived as a part of urban public transport. Third, battery electric vehicles are viewed as similar to pedelecs and segways, whereas questions of range, innovation and environmental aspects play a greater role in perceptions. These results lead to the conclusion that when studying the acceptance of BEVs, a comparison between cars with internal combustion engines and battery electric vehicles is not sufficient to grasp the complete user perspective. An analysis within the framework of a wider range of modes of transport is required in order to address people’s transportation needs