The complexity of water quality trading (WQT) policy can lead to the promulgation of regulations that are challenging to comply with and to enforce. As a result, transaction costs may be high and administrators have limited ability to monitor the program outcomes. These concerns can be alleviated in part through increased automation of trading compliance procedures. We present a case study of a pilot system designed for the Virginia Department of Transportation that automates compliance and streamlines brokering processes that are a part of the Virginia nonpoint source WQT program. Outcomes of this work reveal opportunities and challenges for implementing automated systems in WQT and suggest a framework for developing automated programs. We conclude that use of automated procedures to facilitate compliance with WQT rules can help identify gaps in data reporting and availability, amend inconsistency in rule interpretation, and reduce transaction costs for credit purchasers by enabling efficient analysis of trading opportunities. Persistent limitations to automation exist, including lack of standardized, machine accessible, and open data sources. Potential long-term benefits of automating WQT processes include minimizing transaction costs, enabling new environmental data collection and policy analysis, and ultimately yielding improved WQT program efficacy and water resources outcomes.

中文翻译：

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通过自动化提高水质交易的效率：弗吉尼亚营养交易计划的案例研究

水质交易 (WQT) 政策的复杂性可能导致法规的颁布难以遵守和执行。因此，交易成本可能很高，而且管理人员监控计划结果的能力有限。通过提高交易合规程序的自动化程度，可以部分缓解这些担忧。我们提供了一个为弗吉尼亚州交通运输部设计的试点系统案例研究，该系统可自动执行合规性并简化作为弗吉尼亚州非点源 WQT 计划一部分的经纪流程。这项工作的结果揭示了在 WQT 中实施自动化系统的机遇和挑战，并提出了开发自动化程序的框架。我们得出的结论是，使用自动化程序来促进遵守 WQT 规则可以帮助识别数据报告和可用性方面的差距，修正规则解释中的不一致，并通过对交易机会进行有效分析来降低信贷购买者的交易成本。自动化存在持续的局限性，包括缺乏标准化、机器可访问和开放的数据源。自动化 WQT 流程的潜在长期利益包括最小化交易成本、支持新的环境数据收集和政策分析，并最终提高 WQT 计划的效率和水资源成果。自动化存在持续的局限性，包括缺乏标准化、机器可访问和开放的数据源。自动化 WQT 流程的潜在长期利益包括最小化交易成本、支持新的环境数据收集和政策分析，并最终提高 WQT 计划的效率和水资源成果。自动化存在持续的局限性，包括缺乏标准化、机器可访问和开放的数据源。自动化 WQT 流程的潜在长期利益包括最小化交易成本、支持新的环境数据收集和政策分析，并最终提高 WQT 计划的效率和水资源成果。