The Effectiveness of Telecommuting as a Transportation Control Measure

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

The Effectiveness of Telecommuting as a Transportation Control Measure

by Srikanth Sampath, Univ of California, Davis, United States,
Somitra Saxena, Univ of California, Davis, United States,
Patricia L. Mokhtarian, Univ of California, Davis, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Transportation Planning and Air Quality

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 travelled 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 travelled by auto (76%). Work is ongoing to refine and extend the analysis of emissions impacts.

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