A Testbed Experiment of a (Smart) Market Based, Student Transportation Policy: Non Convexities, Coordination, Non Existence

Abstract

The paper develops and studies a decentralized mechanism for pricing and allocation challenges typically met with administrative processes. Traditional forms of markets are not used due to conditions associated with market failure, such as complex coordination problems, thin markets, non-convexities including and zero marginal cost due to lumpy transportation capacities. The mechanism rests on an assignment process that is guided by a computational process, enforces rules and channels information feedback to participants. Special, testbed experimental methods produce high levels of efficiency when confronted by individual behaviors that are consistent with traditional models of strategic behavior.