Scented buses guarantee safety

Is there a link between scents and a sense of security and comfort? The answer is yes. Women feel safer in a shop, home, or bus when pleasant scents are present. This has been confirmed by tests conducted on Dutch public transport. Imagine you're going to an all-night party with friends. You don't drive. You decide to take public transportation. You hop on a bus. And for a moment, you long to get off. Why? You're intoxicated by the olfactory mix – a few sweaty bodies, a hint of bad breath, and a bouquet of cheap perfume. Panicking, you start looking for a seat by the open window. They're all taken. You settle in and endure the entire journey in agony. Does such an environment provide a sense of comfort and safety? Smell, safety and comfort A Dutch public transport company faced a similar dilemma. Its representatives wanted to test whether a sense of safety and comfort could be enhanced by spraying pleasant scents on buses. The experiment was conducted among 500 passengers. Pleasant scents guarantee safety and comfort No changes in attitude were observed among drivers. However, women experienced an increased sense of safety and comfort while using public transport. Men felt more comfortable while driving. In contrast, young people did not exhibit any significant behavioral changes. They appeared to be less sensitive to ambient odors. Public transport isn't the only mode of transport where aroma marketing can be used. Learn more about scent marketing and the automotive industry.