The main idea in telecommuting (teleworking) is taking the work to the worker rather than the other way round. Even though the idea was introduced as early as the 1950s it was not until the mid 1990s that the idea of telecommuting took off. Several factors have been instrumental for the wide spread acceptance of the concept; emergence of new organisational shapes, based on flexibility, networking and individualisation of work, the changing work process, the changing composition of the labour force, dominated by information workers, and the creation of a non-standard flexible workforce. In addition the wide spread acceptance of computers as a household technology occurred in the same period and telecommunications advances has made possible the transmission of large amount of data anywhere in the world instantaneously. These forces have given rise to the growth of acceptance of telecommuting and as a tool for transport demand management. It is very likely that telecommuting will continue to grow in importance to the workers in the post-industrial societies and to urban transport.

Three US case studies are presented in detail below. In addition, early studies in the Netherlands and the US have shown that, for carefully selected groups of teleworkers, the total number of journeys made could fall by half or more, with non-work trips also falling, and, in the US study, total travel distance falling by three quaters as presented in Travel Reductions for Teleworkers.

* All trips, when 20% of work trips are replaced. Data from Hamer et al (1991)
** Telecommuting trips only. Data from Pendyala et al (1991)

UK research suggests that around 40% of commuters would prefer to work at home, and that on average thay would aim to work at home on four days per week. The current US rate is 2.5 days per week. Based on these surveys, dodgson et al (1997) provide estimates of the possioble reductions in car use from teleworking, teleconferencing and teleshopping, as presented in Potential Trip Changes.

California Telecommunicating Project

Context
The programme was introduced in 1988 to evaluate the role of telecommuting in San Francisco, Sacramento and Los Angeles in reducing traffic and air pollution and to evaluate the reduction of trips. The target group was state employees. The programme provided options for physically disabled people. Telecommuting was predominantly home-based using telephone and PCs. Telecommuters were on the average 41 years. More than half of the participants (about 150-252) in the programme were men (64%). The number of days of telecommuting ranged from 1.6 to over 3 days per week. Only those with over 3 telecommute days per week required a dedicated line for connecting to computer facilities at work. Most participants had PCs at home. Laptops were provided to telecommuters.

Impacts on demand
The reduction of work trips due to telecommuting was not offset by the generation of new non-work trips by telecommuters and their household. The findings in this project point to potentials for reductions in vehicle kilometres and reductions in peak period travel by car due to telecommuting. Those who telecommute choose non-work destinations that are closer to home.

Impacts on Supply
Not available

Contribution to Objectives

Puget Sound Telecommuting Demonstration Project (telework centre in Seattle)

Context
The focus of the programme was on a telework centre that was established in North Seattle, supporting state employees who normally worked in a central location (Olympia). The centre was equipped with conference room, lunchroom, computer room and workstation area. There were on-site hardware and software support. The project started in October 1990 and was terminated in January 1992. Altogether 24 telecommuters used the centre. The state of Washington provided the financial support. More than half used the centre regularly while others used the centre less than one day in two weeks. Some preferred to telecommute from home.

Impacts on demand
The centre did not reduce the number of work trips, but did reduce the number of vehicle kilometres.

Impacts on Supply

Not addressed

Puget Sound Telecommuting Demonstration Project (City of Redmond, WA, USA)

Context
The programme was initiated by City of Redmond in 1990. The primary objective of the programmes was to evaluate the impacts of telecommuting on demand for travel. There were 10 official participants and 10-15 unofficial participants in the programme. The technologies used in this programme were PCs, modems, and standard telephone services for home-based telecommuting. The laptops were provided by the city.

Impacts on demand
All participants reported a reduction of commute trips amounting to 13-17 percent. The reduction in commute trips did not generate additional non-work trips among the participants.

Impacts on Supply
Not addressed

Gaps and Weaknesses
There are some important gaps and weaknesses in the evidence on the impacts of telecommuting of travel behaviour. Most demonstration programmes studies have been limited in scale and only address the short-term impacts of telecommuting on travel behaviour of the participants in the programme and their households in some cases. The respondents in these demonstration programmes are usually carefully selected and their travel behaviour adjustments might not be representative. The longer-term impacts, in terms of decisions related to the locations of residence and work are not addressed in these studies. The projections of reductions in congestion might be an overestimation in the presence of a latent demand.