In recent years, the topic of air quality has grown in prominence due to an improved understanding of the detrimental impacts of local air pollutants on human health and wellbeing. The introduction of Urban Vehicle Access Regulations such as Low Emission Zones represents one policy that is being actively considered in city governance to address this problem, whereby the access of highly polluting vehicles is restricted to reduce traffic-related emissions. For such a policy to be implemented, an understanding of public support can prove useful by identifying the issues that underpin citizen reaction.

This paper presents an assessment of public acceptability to Low Emission Zones through the application of a conceptual framework. This framework integrates an array of socio-psychological constructs sourced from theoretical models of behaviour and empirical findings on acceptability to Transport Demand Management measures. The framework is applied through a Structural Equation Model with the results of the analysis indicating that attitudes, policy specific beliefs, trust in government, and problem awareness all represent significant constructs in terms of their direct and in-direct effects on acceptability. This information can contribute to the discussion within local governments by providing guidance in their policy development on what contentious issues need to be addressed in public engagement strategies.

近年来，由于人们对当地空气污染物对人类健康和福祉的不利影响有了更深入的了解，空气质量的话题越来越突出。引入低排放区等城市车辆通行条例代表了城市治理正在积极考虑解决这一问题的一项政策，即限制高污染车辆的通行以减少与交通相关的排放。为了实施这样的政策，通过确定支持公民反应的问题来了解公众支持是有用的。

本文通过应用一个概念框架来评估公众对低排放区的接受程度。该框架整合了一系列源自行为理论模型和关于交通需求管理措施可接受性的实证结果的社会心理结构。该框架通过结构方程模型应用，分析结果表明态度、政策特定信念、对政府的信任和问题意识都代表了对可接受性的直接和间接影响的重要结构。这些信息可以为地方政府内部的讨论提供指导，帮助他们制定政策，指导公众参与战略中需要解决哪些有争议的问题。