| This dissertation examines policy decision-making in controversial transport and enforcement technology applications. Using an institutional political economy approach, the decision influences, incentives, and motivations for decision-makers are analyzed. These applications are controversial because they affect individual liberties, constrain subjective decisions by government officials, or significantly shift the respective roles of federal, state, and local governments in the U.S.; Three analytical case studies of these applications are presented, including (1) Automated Photo-Radar Traffic Enforcement in Washington D.C., (2) The Dulles Virginia Toll Road Violations Enforcement System (VES), and (3) the National Capital Wireless Integrated Network (CapWIN) in the Washington D.C. region. Then, structured interviews with decision-makers are conducted in four Midwestern states. Eight transport and enforcement technology applications are tested in these interviews, including automated photo-radar red-light and speed enforcement, automated toll violations enforcement systems, suspect vehicle tracking using GPS, automated heavy truck weight/safety enforcement systems, wireless integrated public safety fleet communications network, and remotely-monitored ankle bracelets for jail overcrowding.; The research is framed by three theories of public decision-making, The Public Interest, Public Choice, and Pragmatism. Upon review, neither Public Interest nor Public Choice theory is found to thoroughly explain the decision-making observed in the case studies and the interviews with decision-makers. Rather, the decision-makers are pragmatic, characterized by “common sense” rather than partisan or ideological dominance, and they exhibit “proprietary interests” in their communities and their decisions, akin to property interests.; Decision-makers are strongly influenced by their view of the appropriate role of government, and by a general acceptance of the concept of limited government. Decisions about privacy and privatization of the controversial technology applications are highlighted. These issues are found to follow neither public Interest nor Public Choice paradigm, nor partisan political positions; but again, they reflect pragmatic and proprietary approaches to the functions that State and local government must carry out. These findings are consistent in the Midwest interviews as well as in two of the East Coast case studies. |
