Technology push-over: defense downturns and civilian technology policy

Abstract

Since the 1960s civilian technology demonstration programs in the US Departments of Transportation and Commerce have manifested a pattern in their initiation, content, and outcomes. Programs are episodic, with long periods of relative inactivity occasionally interrupted by brief periods of budgetary largesse. Program content often emphasizes information and automation technologies and system integration. Outcomes are often disappointing, with few technologies or systems actually implemented. This broad pattern in civilian technology policy can be explained in part by the dynamics of the defense sector. Defense technology suppliers occasionally suffer a procurement downturn, at which times they apply their political influence in support of offsetting civilian projects. This leads to occasional periods of support for civilian technology development. This cross-sectoral technological imperative is here conceptualized as “technology push-over”. Evidence of this relationship between defense and civilian technology programs can be found in the repeated US programs in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and in aggregate R&D data from the defense, commerce, and transportation sectors.