Intelligent speed adaptation (ISA) has the potential to improve road traffic safety significantly. Large-scale implementation of ISA, however, is hampered by large uncertainties, such as the level of compliance (LC), reliability of the technology, unexpected costs and so on. We suggest an adaptive policymaking approach for implementing ISA. We propose five steps: (1) specify the policy problem, (2) assemble a basic policy, (3) specify the rest of the policy, (4) learn from real world experience with the basic policy and (5) adjust the implemented policy. We demonstrate, as a proof of concept, how to design a basic ISA policy and how to gain knowledge over time about the behaviour of the system in order to resolve some of the uncertainties and improve the policy. By monitoring the percentage of speeding drivers to detect changes in the LC, the policy can be adapted to unfolding events. Hence, by using the adaptive approach, policymakers can proceed with implementing ISA despite the large uncertainties. (Author/publisher).
Abstract