Crowd-counting technology within the Smart City context: understanding, trust, and acceptance

Public understanding and trust are key to the acceptance of crowd-counting technologies in smart cities, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A study on Bamberg’s old town found that functional explanations—focusing on project purpose rather than technical details—significantly improve comprehension, which in turn enhances public trust and acceptance. The research, combining exploratory interviews, field studies, and online surveys, also revealed that trust directly influences acceptance, emphasizing the need for clear, effective communication to overcome privacy concerns. These insights highlight the importance of tailoring project explanations to foster understanding while prioritizing data protection, ensuring smoother adoption of smart city solutions.

Waclawek, T., Fiedler, A., Schütz, M., & Schütz, A. (2024). Crowd-counting technology within the Smart City context: understanding, trust, and acceptance. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1423837