Acceptability of personal mobility vehicles to public in Japan: Results of social trial in Toyota city

Many challenges have to be dealt with to create and maintain a low-carbon transport society. One representative technological innovation that is being considered to assist in achieving this goal is a personal mobility vehicle (PMV). A key factor in successfully introducing PMVs for use in the future is understanding social acceptability, i.e., whether the public will accept the new transport innovation. The goal of this study is to gain an understanding of the basic attitudes of the general public toward PMVs and the significant sociopsychological factors that influence the acceptance of PMVs by society. A brief overview of studies pertaining to PMVs is presented. A trial held in the city of Toyota is summarized, and the sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents are analyzed. The intended uses of PMVs are examined using principal component analysis and type I quantification theory, and the empirical results are discussed. Conclusions are drawn, and suggestions for further study are made.