Policy Evaluation with Combined Actual and Contingent Response Data

Abstract

Abstract The City of Marietta, Georgia, experimentally switched from flat fee financing to volume‐based pricing for its trash services in January 1994. Both before and during the experiment, detailed data on individuals' observed responses to the actual introduction and contingent behavioral responses to a hypothetical introduction of volume‐based pricing were collected. This study applies these data, and investigates the methodology of collecting contingent behavior data and their use in policy analysis. In particular, this study empirically evaluates the effect of experience with the policy on responses to contingent behavior questions, and tests for potential bias in the contingent behavior data.