This paper reviews self-regulation research that is considered useful for driving safety, focusing on goal setting. It explains attention allocation and emotional control, which are essential for promoting self-regulation, and provides a starting point for suppressing conflicting goals and achieving adaptive goals by utilizing psychological distance.

View full abstract

This study investigated the relationship between individuals’ attachment to their own vehicle and their intention to evacuate by car during tsunamis. A web-based questionnaire was administered to 171 car-owning residents in Osaka Prefecture, a region at high risk for Nankai Trough earthquakes. The results indicated that individuals with stronger emotional attachment to their own cars were more likely to choose vehicle-based evacuation, even if it would take longer than walking. However, their own vehicle attachment was not the primary predictor of evacuation intention. Instead, positive expectations toward vehicle-based evacuation—such as beliefs in its effectiveness or social acceptability—exerted a stronger influence. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for disaster preparedness plans in consideration of these psychological factors.

View full abstract

This study reviews experimental research on how online dating platforms, such as matching apps, may trigger physical mobility in forming romantic or marital relationships. Based on Finkel et al.’s (2012) two-stage model of access and communication, the review highlights that visual cues can enhance willingness to travel, while excessive choice may hinder it. Prior information exposure can reduce face-to-face satisfaction by limiting uncertainty reduction, thereby discouraging mobility to maintain relationships. These findings suggest that digital platforms for romantic encounters, such as dating apps, bridge online communication and physical mobility.

View full abstract

This paper examines the symbolic and mediating roles that vehicles may play in psychological clinical practice, based on a case study involving a young adult in a state of social withdrawal. The case illustrates how vehicles such as motorcycles and forklifts functioned as symbols of the “true self” and as psychological “places to belong,” contributing to the recovery of creativity and the transition toward social reintegration. The discussion explores how the mobility and transitional nature of vehicles align with the concept of “place to belong” in psychological support, highlighting the importance of attending to individual narratives in clinical intervention.

View full abstract

In this paper, as an example of the integration of traffic science with other fields, we introduce our research activity to analyze the traffic accident risks in Shiga Prefecture and visualize the results of analyses on a map. By combining perspectives and knowledge from various fields such as civil engineering, systems engineering, medical science and data science, we will develop our research activity for the elucidation of factors of traffic accident risks and the consideration of traffic safety countermeasures that take into account more various factors.

View full abstract

Green Slow Mobility (GSM), offering high experiential value, was evaluated through a method combining time-sensory and EEG-based stress analysis with surveys and interviews. The study examined how GSM’s deliberately slow speed influences perceptions of mobility, mediated by pleasant feelings and temporal awareness. In Fushiodai, a 1970s new town, results showed that GSM rides foster acceptance of low-speed travel and positively shift mobility awareness, enhancing daily life. The findings highlight GSM’s potential not only as transport but also as a catalyst for rethinking mobility perceptions and promoting sustainable, human-centered community living.

View full abstract