Risk perception of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure among local residents and the general public

• Local residents perceive a higher risk associated with hydrogen transportation. • The general public perceives a lower likelihood of risk regarding hydrogen transportation. • Awareness of accidents moderates the effect of emotions on perceived risks. • Housing safety concerns primarily shape local residents’ risk perceptions. • Existing safety communications amplify perceptions of accident consequences. This study evaluates risk perceptions of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure among local residents and the general public in Japan and examines the psychological factors underlying these perceptions. The results show that individuals’ awareness of hydrogen-related accidents moderates the influence of emotions on perceived risks. Compared to the general public, local residents perceive a higher likelihood of accidents related to hydrogen transportation and more severe consequences associated with hydrogen production. The standardised effects indicate that positive emotions among local residents more strongly reduce perceived accident consequences compared to the general public (–0.229 vs. –0.097). Housing safety concerns also serve as a stronger driver of perceived risk likelihood for local residents (0.250 vs. 0.131). The study further assesses the effectiveness of safety communications targeted at local residents. Informed individuals (17.4%) report less interest in seeking risk-preparedness information, with a standardised weighted factor score of 3.38 compared to 3.04 for the uninformed group. Additionally, individuals who received safety precaution information (46.7%) tend to perceive the risk associated with nearby hydrogen refuelling stations as less likely but potentially more severe.