Search

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) will bring considerable benefits to individuals and society, while the process of AVs' popularity may not always be smooth. Sometimes crashes are unavoidable, which could hinder the widespread acceptance of AVs. Although previous studies have investigated factors that affect AV acceptance, few of them pay attention to the impact of accidents and not to mention quantitative analysis. This study aims to explore what the public is really concerned about the AV crash and whether it significantly affects the public's behavioral intention to use AVs utilizing a multi-method analytical approach, including latent Dirichlet allocation, structural equation model, and Bayesian network. We employed a qualitative exploratory analysis to identify the topics of social media data about AV crashes and proposed an integrated framework using variables originating from topics. We introduced perceived severity in AV acceptance research to cater to the context of AV crashes. The findings reveal how trust, attitude, knowledge, perceived risk, media exposure, and perceived severity affect the public acceptance of AVs and how differences exist between full automation and driver assistance. This research helps to provide theoretical contributions and practical implications to reduce the negative effect of AV crashes and improve public acceptance of AVs. • This paper investigates public perceptions of autonomous vehicles (AVs) after an accident. • A hybrid method combining social media and a questionnaire survey aims to get the real public concern about AV crashes. • We proposed an integrated framework using variables originating from social media data. • This study reveals the mechanism of consumers' adoption of AV technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Arrays of oriented poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) micro/nanorods are synthesized by electrochemical galvanostatic method at the current density of 1mAcm−2 in the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) aqueous solution whose pH value is 1. The CTAB is used both as the surfactant and the supporting salt in the electrolyte solution. The electrochemical properties of PEDOT films are characterized by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge techniques, which indicate that the arrays of oriented PEDOT micro/nanorods can be applied as the electrode materials of supercapacitors. In addition, the cycling performance of PEDOT micro/nanorods is much better than that of traditional PEDOT particles. The effects of the concentration of CTAB, the current density, and pH value of electrolyte solutions on the morphologies and electrochemical properties of PEDOT films are investigated. The mechanism of different morphologies formation is discussed in this study as well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Understand public perception of AVs by analyzing social media data in China; • Introduce text network analysis to the research on public perception of AVs as a supplement to existing research methods; • Analyze the gender differences in public perception of AVs using social media; • The public's insufficient knowledge of AVs is related to the publicity of automobile companies and the media; • The public expresses more blame for vehicles with L2 driving automation than human drivers after the NIO crash. In China, vehicles with L2 driving automation are already widespread, while L3-L5 automated vehicles (AVs) are not allowed on the road. Surprisingly, crashes involving vehicles with L2 driving automation contributed to the public's discussion of L3-L5 AVs. Understanding the variations in public perception of AVs is imperative, which could significantly affect the future evolution of AVs. Respondents have few opportunities to express their views freely in survey-based studies relying on structured questionnaires (e.g., Likert scale). We collected 42,111 comments from Chinese mainstream social media platforms (Sina Weibo and Tik Tok) in August 2021 and applied advanced text mining technology (Latent Dirichlet Allocation topic model, text network analysis, and sentiment analysis) to understand variations in public perception of AVs before and after the crashes. The results show that the public expresses more blame for vehicles with L2 driving automation than human drivers and has misunderstandings about the current development of L3-L5 AVs, which is closely connected with publicity from automobile companies and media. Women were more negative than men both before and after the crash, and the sentiment difference was most significant in the first three days of the crash. This research provides new ideas for a timely understanding of the public perception of AVs. Findings contribute to specific policy recommendations to help in the technological change and wider adoption of AVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Private transport constitutes the prerequisite for the freedom of mobility and facilitates accessibility for activities of older adults. Abundant studies have been conducted on the association between car ownership and life satisfaction in Western countries where cars dominate private transport. However, as the most prevalent and conventional private transport in China, cars and e-bikes have not received adequate attention. Using 2015 and 2018 datasets from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, we apply the Propensity Score Matching–Difference in Differences to investigate how private transport influences the multi-dimensional life quality of older adults. Furthermore, we focus on the mediation effect of social participation on the above causal effect. Our findings reveal that car and e-bike ownership have a causal impact on older adults' life satisfaction, while the influence of e-bike ownership is multi-dimensional. The relationship between car ownership and life satisfaction is mediated by social participation regarding exercise and voluntary activities. However, the mediation effects of mahjong and exercise activities are statistically significant between e-bike ownership and the multi-dimensional life quality of older adults. Understanding the life quality of older adults related to private transport is essential for guiding travel mobility and the life quality of older adults in China. • The paper reveals the causal effect of private transport on multi-dimensional life quality among older adults, including life satisfaction, happiness, loneliness, and depression. • The paper explores the mediation effect of social participation on the relationship between car/e-bike ownership and multi-dimensional life quality. • Using 2015 and 2018 datasets from the CHARLS, the methods of Propensity Score Matching–Difference in Differences and Mediation Analysis are applied in the study. • The results show that both car and e-bike ownership have causal effects on the life satisfaction of older adults, while the influence of e-bike ownership is multi-dimensional. • Participation in mahjong activity mediated the relationship between e-bike ownership and the life quality of older adults, while not for car ownership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Big data was applied to analyze the public attitudes toward ride-hailing services in terms of trend lines and significant events. • LDA topic model and text network analysis revealed the specific evolution in each significant event. • Platform and Safety are constant public concerns. • The public has a prejudice against ride-hailing services related to the media's publicity. • Gender discrimination against females in ride-hailing events. Despite the global popularity of ride-hailing services, frequent events in recent years have caused the public to query and even refuse to adopt ride-hailing. The public's attitudes are the decisive factor affecting ride-hailing development. Previous studies identified the public's attitude toward ride-hailing at a one-time point through questionnaire design without monitoring changes in the public's attitude. This study aims to analyze the evolution and reasons for the public's attitudes toward ride-hailing in terms of trend lines and significant events. We collected 114,361 comments across social media platforms (Sina Weibo and Tik Tok) on Chinese ride-hailing events from May 2018 to September 2021. Through sentiment analysis to investigate the evolution of the public's attitudes toward ride-hailing, we identified four significant events that led to significant changes in public attitudes. We then employed Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic model and text network analysis to examine the comments in these significant events to understand the exact reasons for the change in attitudes. The results indicate that the public's attitude variations are closely linked with social events. Meanwhile, among all topics, Platform and Safety are constant public concerns. Other topics (e.g., Publicity , Government , and Pity) of public concern are related to significant events. The gap between perceived and actual security toward ride-hailing services seems to exist. We also found gender discrimination against females in ride-hailing events. The findings provide valuable insights into the future development of ride-hailing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]