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How teleworking reshapes travel distance and mode use for work and non-work tours: A panel analysis

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  • Shah, Harsh
  • Carrel, Andre L.
  • Le, Huyen T.K.

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of teleworking on tour generation and travel distance for home-based work and non-work tours using various modes of transportation. We analyzed three waves of the Netherlands Mobility Panel, collected in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Six zero-inflated gamma mixed effect models of travel distance by car, active modes, and public transportation for work and non-work tours were estimated with teleworking duration as a key explanatory variable. Our models incorporated differences in traveler’s mode use preferences by categorizing individuals into exclusive mode users and multimodal travelers based on their levels of car, active mode, and public transportation use across the three survey waves. The results of our analyses revealed that teleworking led to fewer work tours but also to increased distances of non-work tours using cars and active modes. In addition, while teleworking was found to reduce the distances of work tours, these reductions were greater for travelers who exclusively used the car or active modes compared to multimodal travelers. Our findings suggest that the relationship between teleworking, tour generation, and travel distances varies by tour purpose, type of mode used, and individuals’ long-term mode use preferences. This highlights the importance of considering travel modes and trip purposes in investigating the impact of teleworking.

Suggested Citation

  • Shah, Harsh & Carrel, Andre L. & Le, Huyen T.K., 2026. "How teleworking reshapes travel distance and mode use for work and non-work tours: A panel analysis," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:208:y:2026:i:c:s0965856426001254
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2026.104984
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    References listed on IDEAS

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