Abstract

Personal information management (PIM) raises some problems because the software tools that are used don’t adequately respond to user behaviour and activities. The concept and personal information management problems are reviewed, along with the software tools used for this task. A qualitative assessment explores whether an approach based on software tools for conceptual maps can address the problems discussed.

Abstract

 In many cases, users of online applications and services consciously and willingly hand over personal data to obtain a better service or a price reduction. This action assumes –nominally – that they behaved rationally, estimating and comparing benefits and costs (the potential use of their data and to whom it might be given). People have different perceptions about the benefits that result from handing over personal data. This article investigates the factors that influence this differing perception and concludes that those who are addicted to the internet, whose confidence has not been damaged in the past, with less knowledge, and who are more active on the internet are prone to perceive a greater benefit.

Abstract

In many cases, users of online applications and services consciously and willingly hand over personal data to obtain a better service or a price reduction. This action assumes –nominally – that they behaved rationally, estimating and comparing benefits and costs (the potential use of their data and to whom it might be given). People have different perceptions about the benefits that result from handing over personal data. This article investigates the factors that influence this differing perception and concludes that those who are addicted to the internet, whose confidence has not been damaged in the past, with less knowledge, and who are more active on the internet are prone to perceive a greater benefit.

Abstract

This paper gathers experiences and results from several demonstration projects in the field of grid integration of electric vehicles. The analyzed research projects are selected among research institutes and universities that are part of the European Energy Research Alliance Joint Program on Smart Grids. The paper provides an overview of recent trends in the field of electric vehicles integration issues and then dives deeper into specific aspects of each project. Twelve research projects are presented in general terms, while detailed information can be retrieved from the references and the websites. Although each project has its focus, a common element that can be devised is that the charging process can be technically controlled based on different interests and algorithms, but its role in the market is still under development. Particular focus is always given to the behavior of the user, which ultimately determines the possible level of flexibility that the electric vehicle can provide to the grid.

Abstract

Electric vehicles (EVs) have the potential to reduce green house gas emissions from the transport sector. However, the future market evolution of EVs strongly depends on several influencing factors such as battery and oil prices as well as their future evolution. The effect of these and other influencing factors as well as the resulting future market evolution are uncertain, yet policy makers need an empirical basis to take decisions impacting the future market evolution. Here, we study the market evolution of EVs in Germany until 2020 and perform a model-based assessment of influencing factors and different monetary policy measures. We use an agent-based model with a utility maximising decision function for several thousand individual private and commercial vehicle owners. Our results reveal a great deal of uncertainty in the market evolution of EVs due to external conditions and the users’ willingness-to-pay for this new technology. Energy prices have a large impact on EV market evolution as a 25 % increase in fuel prices would double the number of EVs in stock by 2020 compared to a reference scenario. We find a special depreciation allowance for commercial vehicles and a subsidy of 1,000 Euro per vehicle to be the most effective and efficient monetary policy options. Furthermore, the high uncertainty of framework conditions and the EV market evolution implies that policies to foster market diffusion of EVs should be dynamically adaptable to react to changing framework conditions.

Abstract

We present a revisitation analysis of smartphone use to investigate the question: do smartphones induce usage habits? We analysed three months of application launch logs from 165 users in naturalistic settings. Our analysis reveals distinct clusters of applications and users which share similar revisitation patterns. However, we show that much of smartphone usage on a macro-level is very similar to web browsing on desktops, and thus argue that smartphone usage is driven by innate service needs rather than technology characteristics. On the other hand, on a micro-level we identify unique characteristics in smartphone usage, and we present a rudimentary model that accounts for 92% in the variability of our smartphone use.

Abstract

Consumer education regarding the costs of electric vehicles (EVs), particularly in comparison with similar gasoline vehicles, is important for adoption. However, the complexity of comparing gasoline and electricity prices, and balancing long-term return-on-investment from fuel and maintenance savings with purchase premiums for EVs, makes it difficult for consumers to assess potential economic advantages. Online vehicle cost calculators (VCCs) may help consumers navigate this complexity by providing tailored estimates of different types of vehicles costs for users and enabling comparisons across multiple vehicles. However, VCCs range widely and there has been virtually no behavioral research to identify functionalities and features that determine their usefulness in engaging and educating consumers and promoting EV adoption. This research draws on a behavioral theory, systematic review of available VCCs, and user research with three VCCs to articulate design recommendations for effective VCCs.View the NCST Project Webpage

Abstract

Electrification of mobility exceeds personal transport to increasingly focus on particular segments such as city logistics and taxis. These commercial mobility segments have different motives to purchase a full electric vehicle and require a particular approach to incentivize and facilitate the transition towards electric mobility. A case where a municipality was successful in stimulating the transition to electric mobility is the taxi sector in the city of Amsterdam. Using results from a survey study (n = 300), this paper analyses the differences in characteristics between taxi drivers that either have or do not have interest in purchasing a full electric taxi vehicle. Results show a low intention across the sample to adopt a full electric vehicle and no statistically significant differences in demographics between the two groups. Differences were found between the level of acceptability of the covenant, the rated attractiveness of the incentives, the ratings of full electric vehicle attributes and the consultation of objective and social information sources. These results can be used by policy makers to develop new incentives that target specific topics currently influencing the interest in a full electric taxi vehicle. Document type: Article