In 1975 the United States government required automobile manufacturers to increase the corporate average fuel economy of their products. Why were such CAFE regulations more effective than increases in the price of gasoline in improving fuel economy? Our answer focuses on myopia by consumers,...

Standard economic theory states that regulation by price is more efficient than regulation by command and control. Exceptions may arise if regulators have good knowledge of the supply curve. In practice, though, governments usually regulate by command and control and do so when there is...

Standard economic theory states that regulation by price is more efficient than regulation by command and control. Exceptions may arise of regulators have good knowledge of the supply curve. In practice, though, governments usually regulate by command and control, and do so when there is...

Reducing emissions of pollutants from cars requires that new vehicles be designed and built to pollute less, and also requires some ongoing inspection and maintenance programme to ensure that a vehicle's operation conforms to those design standards. This paper focuses on these programmes,...

In this issue of ACCESS, we examine how land use considerations can improve transportation planning. Transportation planners have traditionally sought to maximize mobility by supplying better roads and common carriers, thus making it easier to move around. Seldom have they sought to improve the...

We have carefully reviewed "Evaluation of the California Smog Check Program and Recommendations for Program Improvements: Fourth Report to the Legislature." Overall, we find it a thorough and competent presentation of the basic facts, though we disagree with the conclusions. Our major concern is...