GECKO analyses regulatory and governance models for disruptive innovation in mobility

The GECKO project released a report aiming at evidencing new regulatory schemes and governance models for disruptive mobility innovation, which can foster innovation, while protecting users’ safety and security and achieving sustainable mobility goals.

The starting point of the analysis was the identification of different approaches to regulate disruptive innovations, and the definition of policy instruments and governance models that can be implemented (binding rules, taxes, etc.). In particular, the focus was on new flexible governance models that could be more compliant with fast evolving technologies and services, such as: adaptive regulation, regulatory sandboxes, outcome-based regulation, risk-based regulation, collaborative regulations.

The study also includes the definition of the regulatory challenges linked to disruptive mobility innovations in mobility (e.g. interoperability, cooperation models), of the barriers for their deployment (e.g. existing laws), and of the possible risks brought by the implementation of the solution (e.g. unexpected traffic jams) addressed by regulations.

Such regulations were further analysed to define their level of readiness, through a parameter – the Regulation Readiness Level (2RL) which allows  to identify the regulatory approach most in line with the existing regulatory environment of the authority. The 2RL parameter is defined as a time scale for applying the regulation on an innovative mobility solution, depending on the deployment of the solution in the market.

This work led to the construction of a Regulatory Matrix, which is a database of existing regulations regarding disruptive mobility innovations, completed with the assessment of the 2RL parameter and of the challenges, barriers, and risks addressed by the regulations. This design was made in close alignment with the development of Regulatory Frameworks Dashboard, which is the complete regulatory supportive tool, providing impact assessment of these regulations through the assignment of Key Performance Indicators (safety, security, environmental, etc.).