Graduate Studies, UNL

 

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

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First Advisor

Libby Jones

Second Advisor

Jason Hawkins

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Committee Members

Emie Yiannaka, Nathan Huynh

Department

Civil Engineering

Date of this Version

3-30-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Citation

A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy

Major: Civil Engineering

Under the supervision of Professors Libby Jones and Jason Hawkins

Lincoln, Nebraska, May 2026

Comments

Copyright 2026, Hania Afzal. Used by permission

Abstract

Together, electric vehicle (EV) adoption and the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate illustrate two dimensions of transportation technology policy: the first driven largely by environmental and market-based incentives and the second by safety regulation and compliance requirements. Examining these cases side by side for the United States allows for a more comprehensive analysis of how technology adoption unfolds under different policy regimes, offering insights into the broader relationship between policy design, industry response, and public outcomes. The commercial motor vehicle (CMV) sector presents a different but equally important policy challenge in transportation technology adoption. Unlike consumer passenger vehicles, CMVs are often subject to direct federal safety and regulatory interventions. A recent example is the federal mandate requiring ELDs to monitor driver hours of service. While the ELD mandate is primarily a safety policy aimed at reducing fatigue-related crashes, it provides a valuable case study for understanding how regulatory frameworks can accelerate or hinder the adoption of new technology.

This dissertation consists of four empirical studies connected by a unifying theme: how policy design and enforcement shape transportation technology adoption and its outcomes.
• Chapter 1 Electric Vehicle and Supply Equipment Adoption Dynamics in the United States
• Chapter 2 Mapping Vehicle Diffusion Dynamics in the United States
• Chapter 3 Political Peer Network Effect and Plug in Electric Vehicle Adoption
• Chapter 4 Effectiveness of Enforcing Electronic Logging Devices Mandate in Reducing Commercial Motor Vehicle Crashes

The four studies together contribute to both policy and methods literature. For passenger vehicles, Chapters 2-4 show how infrastructure investments and diffusion mechanisms interact with equity considerations. For commercial vehicles, Chapter 5 demonstrates how regulatory enforcement alters operational outcomes. The combined insights advance understanding of transportation technology policy under both market-driven and regulatory regimes.

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