Introduction -- Automotive Technology and Public Policy in Japan -- Costs and Benefits of Fuel Economy Regulations -- Future Directions for Fuel Efficiency Policy -- Economics of Intelligent Transport Systems -- Optimal Market Penetration Rates of VICS -- Market Penetration of Safety-Related ITSs -- Transportation Woes and Policy Solutions in China
Summary
Technological innovation is a necessary but insufficient ingredient for solving the problems of society caused by the widespread use of automobiles. For this reason, a host of public-policy solutions have been devised and implemented - with varying results - to maximize the efficacy of innovative automotive technologies in combating societal ills. Focusing on safety and environmental protection issues, this book provides incisive, cutting-edge theoretical analysis that evaluates the impact of new automotive technologies and the associated public policies on social welfare. It discusses how new automotive technologies can improve social welfare and why public policies are needed to promote the adoption of these technologies. The contributors analyze taxes, subsidies, and regulations - and the decision-making processes behind them - to identify policy directions that optimize the social benefits of emerging automobile technologies. The reader will gain an appreciation of how policies can break down barriers and exploit market innovations for the common good