Man vs. Machine: Technological Promise and Political Limits of Automated Regulation Enforcement

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Browne, Oliver R.; Gazze, Ludovica; Greenstone, Michael; Rostapshova, Olga
• 署名单位: University of Warwick; University of Chicago
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0034-6535
• DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01316
• 发表日期: 2025-07
• 页码: 1136-1148
• 关键词: conservation programs; water-use; drought; restrictions; incentives; policies; prison; crime; price

摘要

New technologies allow perfect detection of environmental violations at near-zero marginal cost, but take-up is low. We conducted a field experiment to evaluate enforcement of water conservation rules with smart meters in Fresno, CA. Households were randomly assigned combinations of enforcement method (automated or in-person inspections) and fines. Automated enforcement increased households' punishment rates from 0.1% to 14%, decreased summer water use by 3%, and reduced violations by 17%, while higher fine levels had little effect. However, automated enforcement also increased customer complaints by 1,102%, ultimately causing its cancellation and highlighting that political considerations limit technological solutions to enforcement challenges.