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The Effectiveness of Telecommuting as a Transportation Control Measure

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  • Sampath, Srikanth
  • Saxena, Somitra
  • Mokhtarian, Patricia L.

Abstract

This paper examines the potential of telecommuting as a strategy for managing travel demand. In particular, the paper focuses on the travel and air quality implications of telecommuting. A study of travel impacts has been carried out using data obtained from the State of California Telecommuting Pilot Project. This paper presents preliminary findings from the first known empirical study of the emission impacts of telecommuting. Previously-reported travel-related findings include significant reductions in work trips, peak-period travel and distance traveled due to telecommuting while no increase was found in non-work trips. New emission-related findings include substantial reductions in the number of cold starts (60% fewer), and emissions of organic gases (64% lower), carbon monoxide (63% lower), and oxides of nitrogen (73% lower) on telecommuting days. These reductions are nearly proportional to the decrease in distance traveled by auto (76%). Work is ongoing to refine and extend the analysis of emission impacts.

Suggested Citation

  • Sampath, Srikanth & Saxena, Somitra & Mokhtarian, Patricia L., 1991. "The Effectiveness of Telecommuting as a Transportation Control Measure," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt0km7985p, University of California Transportation Center.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdl:uctcwp:qt0km7985p
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kitamura, Ryuichi & Mokhtarian, Patricia L. & Pendyala, Ram M., 1991. "An Evaluation of Telecommuting As a Trip Reduction Measure," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt1096f8wt, University of California Transportation Center.
    2. Kitamura, Ryuichi & Mokhtarian, Patricia L. & Pendyala, Ram M., 1991. "An Evaluation of Telecommuting As a Trip Reduction Measure," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt8rg5f9s8, University of California Transportation Center.
    3. Mokhtarian, Patricia L., 1991. "Telecommuting and Travel: State of the Practice, State of the Art," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt4zc486ph, University of California Transportation Center.
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    Cited by:

    1. Balepur, Prashant Narayan, 1998. "Impacts of Computer-Mediated Communication on Travel and Communication Patterns: The Davis Community Network Study," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt6cb1f85c, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.
    2. P L Mokhtarian & I Salomon, 1994. "Modeling the Choice of Telecommuting: Setting the Context," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 26(5), pages 749-766, May.
    3. Mokhtarian, Patricia L. & Handy, Susan L. & Salomon, Ilan, 1995. "Methodological issues in the estimation of the travel, energy, and air quality impacts of telecommuting," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 283-302, July.
    4. Bouzaghrane, Mohamed Amine & Obeid, Hassan & Villas-Boas, Sofia B. & Walker, Joan, 2024. "Influence of telecommuting on out-of-home time use and diversity of locations visited: Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).

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