Our research note focuses on whether policy changes in the transportation sector contribute to green innovations, measured as patents. We explore federal policies, specifically energy policies such as Energy Policy Act of 1992 or 2005, that provide incentives for the development of environmentally friendly technologies in transportation. Drawing on a combination of qualitative and quantitative data, we construct and test several novel policy measures while controlling for other factors that may influence green transportation innovations. We develop a unique legislative timeline with the use of key-informant interviews, literature searches, and legislative updates reviews. Only one policy variable (executive orders) appears to have a positive effect on the number of patents in green transportation innovation sphere. High capital expenditures for pollution abatement decrease innovation activity, while high operating expenditures increase innovation activity. The federal policies over the time period analyzed seem to create uncertainty rather than provide a clear incentive for innovation. The executive orders may affect innovation levels; further tests are needed with the changes in political leadership. The results of our research note signal that stronger and more consistent incentives at federal level may be necessary to realize desired policy outcomes.

我们的研究报告侧重于交通部门的政策变化是否有助于以专利衡量的绿色创新。我们探索联邦政策，特别是能源政策，例如 1992 年或 2005 年的能源政策法案，这些政策为开发交通运输环保技术提供了激励措施。结合定性和定量数据，我们构建和测试了几种新的政策措施，同时控制可能影响绿色交通创新的其他因素。我们使用关键知情人访谈、文献搜索和立法更新审查制定了独特的立法时间表。只有一个政策变量（行政命令）似乎对绿色交通创新领域的专利数量有积极影响。减少污染的高资本支出会减少创新活动，而高运营支出会增加创新活动。在所分析的时期内，联邦政策似乎创造了不确定性，而不是为创新提供明确的激励。行政命令可能会影响创新水平；随着政治领导层的变化，还需要进一步的考验。我们的研究报告结果表明，要实现预期的政策结果，可能需要在联邦层面采取更强有力、更一致的激励措施。随着政治领导层的变化，还需要进一步的考验。我们的研究报告结果表明，要实现预期的政策结果，可能需要在联邦层面采取更强有力、更一致的激励措施。随着政治领导层的变化，还需要进一步的考验。我们的研究报告结果表明，要实现预期的政策结果，可能需要在联邦层面采取更强有力、更一致的激励措施。