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Guidelines for Shaping Perceptions of Fairness of Transportation Infrastructure Policies: The Case of a Vehicle Mileage Tax

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  • Anjala Krishen
  • Robyn Raschke
  • Michael Mejza

Abstract

Regulatory focus theory is used to study individuals' perceptions of fairness towards a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)‐based transportation funding policy. According to regulatory focus theory, messages are more effective when they are congruent with the goal framing promotion (gains) or prevention (loss avoidance) focus of the recipients (i.e., there is a regulatory fit). This study confirms an interaction effect when the information in a message is congruent with the regulatory orientation of the individual. In addition, we find that the sensitivity towards fairness is more pronounced when subjects exhibit a prevention fit than when they exhibit a promotion fit. Our findings emphasize the importance of regulatory focus as it concerns public perceptions of potential transportation funding policy and provide useful guidelines for related outreach messaging strategies for influencing them.

Suggested Citation

  • Anjala Krishen & Robyn Raschke & Michael Mejza, 2010. "Guidelines for Shaping Perceptions of Fairness of Transportation Infrastructure Policies: The Case of a Vehicle Mileage Tax," Transportation Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 49(3), pages 24-38, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:transj:v:49:y:2010:i:3:p:24-38
    DOI: 10.2307/40904902
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ohlwein, Martin, 2018. "Die Intensität eines Furchtappells als Determinante einer Einstellungsänderung," ISM Research Journal, International School of Management (ISM), Dortmund, vol. 5(1), pages 79-105.
    2. Anjala S. Krishen & Pushkin Kachroo & Shaurya Agarwal & S. Shankar Sastry & Masha Wilson, 2015. "Safety Culture from an Interdisciplinary Perspective: Conceptualizing a Hierarchical Feedback‐based Transportation Framework," Transportation Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 54(4), pages 516-534, October.
    3. Anjala S. Krishen & Robyn L. Raschke & Pushkin Kachroo & Michael Mejza & Alauddin Khan, 2014. "Interpretation of Public Feedback to Transportation Policy: A Qualitative Perspective," Transportation Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 53(1), pages 26-43, January.
    4. Kihyun Kwon, 2025. "Factors influencing household VMT considering differences between ICE and electric vehicles," Transportation Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 64(1), January.

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