Policy Tradeoffs - Richard Nere

Policy Option	Efficiency	Effectiveness	Equity	Ease of political acceptablity
Full Scale	+	+++	+++	+
Collaboration	+++	+++	+++	+++
Status Quo	+++	+++	+++	+++

To be clear, the three policy options are proposed.  However, the policy options must be evaluated against each other.  As a consequence of this evaluation it will indeed become more clear the policy option to select, and moreover, the benefits versus other policy options.

Full Scale Implementation

First, of course, is the full scale option.  Evidently, current policies are fragmented, and inconsistent.  Clearly, then, the matter of implementing autonomous vehicle technology will be difficult without political leadership at the national level.  In the end, national policy on the matter of autonomous vehicle will inexorably lead to ease of full scale adoption of the technology.

Efficiency:

National policy on the matter provides leadership.  Generally speaking, it is superior to states, and municipalities creating inconsistent policy that could as a direct result slow down, and hamper the full scale implementation of this technology.   However, this option isn't more effective than a private firm doing the same thing.

Effectiveness:

Indeed, full scale implementation is very effective.  It gives this nascent technology the appropriate support legally, and likewise paves the way forward.

Equity: National policy for this technology is indeed equitable.  It doesn't give an unfair advantage to any one firm.  As such, it can be concluded policy is equitable.

Ease of Political Acceptability:

With sufficient testing the technology will gain political support.  However, there is the matter of negative implications such as unemployment due to full scale adoption.  Moreover, despite testing people may fear the new technology.

Collaboration

The government works closely with tech firms, and american universities to work towards producing technology for mass consumption.  This, of course, is a safe policy options, where collaboration is certainly a time for testing of autonomous vehicle technology, and strategically planning for public use.

Efficiency:

The government becomes a strategic partner in testing, and developing the technology.  This, of course, allows the government to substantiate claims of effectiveness.  Moreover, this option is more effective than, say, full scale implementation because the government isn't very effective.  Generally speaking, as an axiom government is less efficient than the private sector, thus, the services the government do provide are better suited for private firms. 

Effectiveness:

With proper management this is an effective policy.  However, history has shown the private sector has a history being more efficient than the public sector.

Equity:

The policy is equitable.  No firm has an unfair advantage.

Ease of Political Acceptability:

With appropriate management this option is politically acceptable.  Though, once again, there are several negative implications of using this technology.  For this reason, it is a matter of shaping the perception of this new technology as one that doesn't necessarily help with the job picture in America.  Indeed, it is more a matter of this technology making life easier for consumers.

Status Quo

The technology continues to be tested.  However, the technology falls short of full scale implementation on the matter without leadership or at the very least influence from the government to open up the doors of opportunity, and innovation.

Efficiency:

This option isn't the most efficient use of the government, as there are better options that  can help without unduly burdening the government.

Effectiveness: This option doesn't help in terms of providing the legal regulatory frameworks at a national level.  Without the legal frameworks policy remains inconsistent.  It is clear, then, just how necessary it is for the government to get involved.

Equity: It is equitable, though the government could take on a leadership role

Ease of Political Acceptability: This policy is politically acceptable.  If, however, the consideration is technologists that would like to see full scale implementation or government support for the technology, then this isn't the best option.