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Effectiveness of government enforcement in driving restrictions: a case in Beijing, China

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  • Xueying Lu

Abstract

During the Olympic Games in 2008, a driving restriction based on vehicle license plate numbers was implemented in Beijing to mitigate air pollution and traffic congestion. Following the Games, the restriction was modified several times. This paper investigates the effects of two policy changes: a weakening policy change due to a shorter restricted time period, and a strengthening policy change due to a higher penalty for violators and the complementary car purchasing restriction. By employing a regression discontinuity design in a Tobit model, I find that the weakening policy change led to more pollution and the strengthening policy change improved air quality in restricted areas. Several robustness checks confirm the results. I also provide suggestive evidence that driving restrictions increased the use of public transportation and alleviated traffic congestion. Copyright Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies and Springer Japan 2016

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  • Xueying Lu, 2016. "Effectiveness of government enforcement in driving restrictions: a case in Beijing, China," Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, Springer;Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - SEEPS, vol. 18(1), pages 63-92, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:envpol:v:18:y:2016:i:1:p:63-92
    DOI: 10.1007/s10018-015-0112-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Liu, Zhiyong & Li, Ruimin & Wang, Xiaokun(Cara) & Shang, Pan, 2018. "Effects of vehicle restriction policies: Analysis using license plate recognition data in Langfang, China," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 89-103.
    2. Liu, Zhiyong & Li, Ruimin & Wang, Xiaokun (Cara) & Shang, Pan, 2020. "Noncompliance behavior against vehicle restriction policy: A case study of Langfang, China," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 1020-1033.
    3. Xueyan Wei & Weijie Yu & Wei Wang & De Zhao & Xuedong Hua, 2020. "Optimization and Comparative Analysis of Traffic Restriction Policy by Jointly Considering Carpool Exemptions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-15, September.
    4. Xin Li & Shuhan Jiang & Tianqi Wang & Jia Hu & Yun Yuan, 2022. "Evaluating the impact of partial driving restrictions on local air quality in Chongqing using regression discontinuity design," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 49(2), pages 464-484, February.
    5. Jichao Geng & Ruyin Long & Hong Chen & Ting Yue & Wenbo Li & Qianwen Li, 2017. "Exploring Multiple Motivations on Urban Residents’ Travel Mode Choices: An Empirical Study from Jiangsu Province in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-16, January.
    6. Suchi Kapoor Malhotra & Howard White & Nina Ashley O. Dela Cruz & Ashrita Saran & John Eyers & Denny John & Ella Beveridge & Nina Blöndal, 2021. "Studies of the effectiveness of transport sector interventions in low‐ and middle‐income countries: An evidence and gap map," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(4), December.
    7. Geng, Jichao & Long, Ruyin & Chen, Hong & Li, Wenbo, 2017. "Exploring the motivation-behavior gap in urban residents’ green travel behavior: A theoretical and empirical study," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 282-292.
    8. Lyu, Xueying, 2022. "Car restriction policies and housing markets," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    9. Blackman, Allen & Qin, Ping & Yang, Jun, 2020. "How costly are driving restrictions? Contingent valuation evidence from Beijing," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).

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