Regulatory Sandboxes for Future Mobility
In the context of public sector innovation in general, and in relation to AI in specific, the so called pace problem refers to the perceived problem of regulatory frameworks not developing in the same pace as technology. This has resulted in efforts to develop alternative solutions to promote the development of new technologies (and other innovations), with one recent example being regulatory sandboxes. Here the core idea is to provide an opportunity to test new technologies or solutions in a controlled environment rather than waiting for legislation to catch up, allowing experimentation that current laws might not permit – while also providing insights into regulatory practices and reflecting on potentials for change.
The overall aim of this project is to map and assess the usage and potential of regulatory sandboxes in the field of transport in general and public transport more specifically. The work consists of three parts: A (i) research review of the international research on regulatory sandboxes, including a broader elevation of these debates to the field of experimental governance (ii) an international mapping of regulatory sandboxes in different countries in the transport field (including public transport). These will be synthesized in (iii) a report and an academic article.
The research review has immediate impact for the industry by providing insights into how regulatory sandboxes can strike the balance between fostering innovation and protecting public values related to not only procedural values (legitimacy and transparency) but also substantive values such as safety, equity, and sustainability in the development of future mobility within and beyond the usage of AI.
Through an international mapping of the usage of regulatory sandboxes in transport, stakeholders can understand how these frameworks are being applied to test new technologies and services in the field of transport in general and public transportmore specifically.