Introduction: ‘Ultrafine particles’ (UFP) in ambient air are a ‘hot issue’ currently in the newspapers. UFP in cities mainly originate from motorised traffic emissions. They have a proven negative impact on public health. In the EU, each year about 350.000 people prematurely die as a result of exposure to (ultra-)fine particles.

One of the ways to reduce emissions of UFP, is to stimulate the use of the bicycle. Unfortunately, cyclists are exposed to UFP as well. However, infrastructural measures, such as alternative cycling routes or banning mopeds from cycling lanes, may reduce the exposure.

In order to draw attention to the problem of airborne UFP and to promote cycling as well as improving cycling infrastructure, a European project was set-up: VECTOR: Visualisation of the Exposure of Cyclists to Traffic On Roads (www.vectorproject.eu). In this project, the cyclists’ associations in the Netherlands, Germany, Hungary and Lithuania cooperate with Dutch consultant IVAM (coordinator) and German consultant Kooperationsstelle Hamburg. In VECTOR, a new measuring technique is used. Mobile measurements of the exposure to UFP of  cyclists in a city are combined with video recordings. By ‘mixing’ both data, very instructive so-called ‘real-time visualisations’ of the exposure are produced. These show the cyclist in a specific traffic situation, and at the same time (in the same image) a graphical representation of the actual exposure to UFP. This method is known as ‘PIMEX’: Picture Mix Exposure Measurement.

Within the Vector project, a major focus is put on the communication of the results to (members of) cyclists’ associations, local authorities and the general public. Currently, results of particle measurements  - and the health risks involved -  are communicated in ‘conventional’ ways: by articles, presentations and reports that provide graphs and tables. The use of the real-time visualisations (RTV) might greatly increase the awareness-raising potential of the communication activities. The aim of this internship project is to evaluate the communicative effectiveness of the RTV’s.

Study method

The RTV’s will be tested at two selected target groups:

• local policy makers and/or civil servants (e.g. in the environmental or traffic planning departments of cities);
• members of cyclist associations (being cyclists and members of the general public).

The idea is, to select a small study-population of both target groups, in all of the four countries involved in the project. The exact size of the study population depends on the available time and workforce, but will be at least 5 per target group.

The actual test will have three components:

1. a 1st part of a structured interview with the help of a standard questionnaire (that has been developed in a preceding student project);
   
   
2. showing a DVD which contains the RTVs and explanations;
   
   
3. the 2nd part of the structured interview, measuring what the effect of showing the RTV’s was on the attitude of the interviewee.
   

The interviews may be held with one person at a time or in a small group.
The (draft) structured questionnaire is available in a student’s report on the Vector-website.
Part of the job is to optimize the questionnaire.
 
Specially meant for: students communication sciences, psychology, sociology, politicology, or environmental sciences – in the Netherlands, Germany, Hungaria and Lithuania.

Timing/ Duration: Starting time: after the production of the DVD that contains the video recordings including explanations: by the end of 2008. Duration: 3-6 months.

Report: In English; at a level that is understandable for non-scientists (e.g. the cyclists’ associations involved in the Vector project and local authorities).

Location: The work may be performed at IVAM (Amsterdam) for the Dutch target groups, or at the partners in Germany (Hamburg), Hungary (Budapest) or Lithuania (Vilnius) for the target groups in those countries. The student may work at home if desired.

Information: Jeroen Terwoert, + 31 20 5256927, jterwoert@ivam.uva.nl or Ineke Aker, +31 20 525 5848 iaker@ivam.uva.nl.