Reminders Work, but for Whom? Evidence from New York City Parking Ticket Recipients

Ori Heffetz, Ted O’Donoghue, Henry S. Schneider

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We investigate heterogeneity in responsiveness to reminder letters among New York City parking ticket recipients. Using variation in the timing of letters, we find a strong aggregate response. But we find large differences across individuals: those with a low baseline propensity to respond to tickets—a natural nudge target—react least to letters. These low-response types, who incur significant late penalties, disproportionately come from already disadvantaged groups. They do react strongly to traditional, incentive-based interventions. We discuss how accounting for response heterogeneity might change one’s approach to policy and how one might use our analysis to target interventions at low-response types.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)343-370
Number of pages28
JournalAmerican Economic Journal: Economic Policy
Volume14
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Economics,Econometrics and Finance

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