Abstract:

Mobility is transcending the traditional notion of traveling, hurtling towards automation, IoT and MaaS among other things. Technologies and business models are constantly evolving to keep pace with changing preferences and solutions. However, the pertinent question is whether the current regulatory framework provides an enabling environment for these innovations and technologies to create impact at scale. Accessibility, diversity, inclusion and transparency are not fully enabled under the current regulatory approach. Enter regulatory sandboxing! A regulatory sandbox provides a framework to live test innovation concepts in a controlled regulatory environment. Sandboxing enables regulators to work with innovators in mitigating risks of implementing a new solution, and develop data-driven, evidence-based policies for new technologies. This Issue Brief presents the framework of a regulatory sandbox, its advantages, evaluating its success and analyses the use of regulatory sandbox for mobility innovations. As Indian cities arrive at the cusp of a mobility revolution, regulatory sandboxing could potentially determine the way forward in enabling innovation.