Public responses to policies designed to internalise environmental and social externalities from road transport in New Zealand

Based on a public survey of registered voters, we explore four options for internalising the social and environmental costs of road transport. The options were presented together with generalised factual information about their benefits and costs. Respondents are highly supportive of fuel use efficiency standards and exhaust gas quality standards, with lesser support for proposed initiatives of road user charges and speed reduction. Demographic analysis of responses enables identification of those who might favour or oppose particular options. In this case women are identified as being strongly supportive of the speed reduction option.

► A stated preference methodology identifies public acceptance of four options for addressing social impacts of road transport in New Zealand.
► Respondents strongly support fuel use efficiency standards and exhaust gas quality standards.
► Respondents are less supportive of road user charges and speed reduction.
► Women are more supportive than men of speed reduction.
► Higher education increases support for road user charges.