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Abstract

Policy makers are hoping that the public will assist in the move toward a sustainable transport system by purchasing alternatively fueled vehicles (AFVs), many of which are now available in the UK. But if the public's knowledge-base of transport issues is low, it seems unlikely that consumer behavior will change sufficiently enough to solve the problems associated with high levels of traffic pollution. To assess the extent of popular understanding, an open-ended questionnaire has been used to investigate the perceptions of the British public on issues relating to transport. Topics include the environmental impact of vehicle emissions and the level of awareness of other alternative transport technologies such as natural gas, fuel-cell, and hybrid vehicles. The focus is to identify the most common misconceptions, with a view to improving educational programs designed to encourage the uptake of AFVs.

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Public understanding of the environmental impact of road transport

Abstract

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