Applying the Technology Acceptance Model to Assess the Intention to Use an Aftermarket eCall Based on 112 Device for Passenger Vehicles to Ensure Sustainable Rescue Operations on European Roads

Abstract

Sustainable, improved rescue operations contribute to both the safety of traffic participants and the quality of transportation services. From this perspective, we considered the need to determine to what extent the target audience, consisting of owners and/or users of road vehicles, is prepared to purchase and use an eCall In-Vehicle System (eCall IVS) for passenger vehicles, using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a research framework. To confirm the hypotheses of our research, we resorted to structural equation modelling (SEM), based on the analysis of variance (PLS—partial least squares), and we were able to validate all the causal relationships of the conceptual model, with significant path coefficients at a chosen significance threshold of p < 0.01. Analyzing the obtained results achieved in the field of eCall IVS, one can state that the integration of these approaches with the TAM research framework gives a much more complete picture of a driver’s acceptance of using an aftermarket eCall IVS, which can also serve as a starting point in aftermarket vehicle implementation and future studies.