A variety of policy instruments that impose restrictions on traffic are being put in place across European cities to improve urban air quality. These measures include various schemes such as congestion charges, low emission zones (LEZs) and other traffic calming measures. In this paper, we are interested in the public acceptance of LEZs. Recent studies show high levels of public support for LEZs across Europe. However, specific research on public attitudes towards LEZs is limited. We conducted a self-administered survey (online) among residents in Barcelona, Spain. Based on a previous analytical model, bivariate and path analysis modelling was used to examine the association between key independent variables and acceptance. The results showed that most surveyed residents had a positive attitude towards implementing the LEZ, perceiving this policy instrument as a fair and effective measure to reduce air pollution. Perceived process legitimacy, perceived global impacts and affect had a significant direct effect on acceptance. Prior attitudes and personal orientations and, to a lesser extent, personal characteristics, were indirectly associated with levels of acceptance.

Low-emission zones, congestion charges and pedestrian areas have the potential to improve urban air quality. However, the lack of public and political support for these policies is often a significant obstacle to their introduction. In this article, we present the results of two studies. First, we investigated the public acceptability of three policies to reduce urban air pollution: pedestrianization, low emission zones and congestion charges. Second, based on an experimental online survey, we examined the effect of various framing conditions on the acceptability of congestion charges. The results show, first, that public acceptability is higher for pedestrianization and low emission zones and lower for congestion charging. Second, we find a positive effect on acceptability of information emphasizing the benefits of congestion charges and of positive labelling, comparing the wording “environmental contribution” with “urban toll”; and a negative effect of making political ideology prominent. Our findings suggest that while some interventions aimed at mitigating urban air pollution may be more readily supported than others, their acceptability can be enhanced (or diminished) through careful design and effective communication.

Climate change is increasingly recognised as a major public health challenge with significant implications for mental health. Young people appear particula

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) are expected to contribute to transport decarbonisation, but their successful deployment will depend not only on technological and infrastructural developments but also on attitudes and adoption intentions. This study examines the relative contribution of sociodemographic characteristics, mobility-related experiences, and psychosocial variables associated with attitudes towards HFCVs and adoption intentions among 1000 residents of the Community of Madrid, Spain, a region implementing ambitious hydrogen policies as part of its decarbonisation strategy. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey and analysed using hierarchical regression models. Sociodemographic characteristics and mobility-related experiences explained only a limited proportion of variance in both outcomes. In contrast, psychosocial variables accounted for substantially more variance in attitudes and adoption intentions. Perceived benefits and positive affect were most strongly associated with favourable attitudes, whereas perceived risks showed a smaller but significant negative association. Attitudes towards HFCVs were the variable most strongly associated with adoption intention, while subjective knowledge and interest in energy technologies also remained positively associated with adoption intentions. These findings highlight the importance of psychosocial variables in understanding public attitudes towards HFCVs and indicate that adoption intentions are associated not only with favourable attitudes but also with subjective knowledge and engagement with energy technologies. The study provides evidence that may inform communication, engagement, and policy initiatives supporting hydrogen mobility.

Dado que la oposición pública se considera uno de los principales obstáculos para la introducción de planes de pacificación del tráfico, este trabajo investiga la aceptación y las actitudes de la población hacia las supermanzanas de Barcelona. A partir de una encuesta con residentes en Barcelona (N= 501), se analizan las creencias y emociones, así como las características sociodemográficas de los partidarios y opositores a las supermanzanas. Los resultados muestran una importante polarización. En relación con los opositores, los partidarios eran más jóvenes, tenían más probabilidades de ser mujeres, de vivir cerca de una supermanzana, de no tener coche y de situarse en la izquierda de la escala ideológica. Las creencias específicas sobre la política, las emociones, la legitimidad percibida del proceso y la confianza institucional están fuertemente asociadas con la aceptación de las supermanzanas.