INDUCING THE DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION OF SOCIALLY EFFICIENT AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Federal policies for inducing the development and adoption of innovative automobile technology are examined using a welfare economics framework. Socially efficient technology is defined, and criteria are identified for evaluating public policies; these include (a) feasibility and efficacy, (b) mechanism for tradeoffs, (c) information requirements, (d) incentives for information generation, (e) incentives for optimizing technology, and (f) effects on uncertainty. Current and alternative policies are evaluated by the criteria. Policies which place greater reliance on market forces, product information, and fiscal incentives can overcome many of the barriers to innovation which confront performance standards.

• Corporate Authors:

  CHARLES RIVER ASSOCIATES

  CAMBRIDGE, MA  United States 

  Transportation Systems Center

  55 Broadway, Kendall Square
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02142
• Authors:
  • BOYD, H
• Publication Date: 1978-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 63 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automotive engineering; Design; Economic efficiency; Economic factors; Environmental impacts; Fuel consumption; Incentives; Optimization; Policy; Safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Design criteria; Efficiency
• Old TRIS Terms: Government policies
• Subject Areas: Design; Economics; Energy; Environment; Policy; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00176014
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: CRA-322, DOT-TSC-RSPD-78-4
• Files: NTIS
• Created Date: Jul 19 2002 12:00AM