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Does home-based telework reduce household total travel? A path analysis using single and two worker British households

Author

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  • de Abreu e Silva, João
  • Melo, Patrícia C.

Abstract

The initial enthusiasm for home-based telework as an attractive travel demand management strategy has been countered by recent research pointing to its inductive effects on travel. This paper develops path analysis models for one- and two-worker households in Great Britain, using data from the National Travel Survey (2005–2012), to study the effects of teleworking frequency on household-level weekly trips and travel distances by mode. The results indicate that among single-worker households, higher teleworking frequencies are associated with more travel by all modes, particularly by car, while there is no significant association for two-worker households. In terms of policy implications, these results do not support the expectation that home-based telework reduces travel, although the methods used do not permit us to definitively conclude that it increases travel.

Suggested Citation

  • de Abreu e Silva, João & Melo, Patrícia C., 2018. "Does home-based telework reduce household total travel? A path analysis using single and two worker British households," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 148-162.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:73:y:2018:i:c:p:148-162
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2018.10.009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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