Influences on the Rollout of Good Policies

Abstract

Research on sustainable transport planning has concluded that, for the most part, the policies that lead to more sustainable outcomes are known and that what is required is a more widespread and intense application of such measures. In response, upper tiers of government, with responsibility for achieving policy goals and for steering the lower tiers of government, are often faced with a dilemma as to how to encourage the lower tiers to do the right thing. This paper examines the presumptions that surround the spread of good policies, considers the motivations of actors at a lower tier when they are pressured to adopt policies, and draws on case studies from Europe to discuss the potential for a range of approaches to stimulate the uptake of good policies. The research concludes that greater attention needs to be given to policy diffusion and the different stages of adoption (or rejection) of policies. Much better use should be made of pilot studies to understand the likely adoption pathway for policies and the extent to which the policies will spread without active intervention. When intervention is needed, better communication of the benefits and the use of incentives to encourage compliance are likely to be more effective than sanctions and regulations. Sanctions and regulations can be difficult to design, expensive to enforce or oversee, and received with underlying reluctance, which can lead to compliance on paper but limited action. Good policies are only good in particular circumstances, and plans to support their rollout should recognize this fact.