Telecommuting and its environmental impacts

MVPC 2009-2010 Regional Telework Study

Summary

We’ve all sat in rush hour traffic. Congested highways and travel routes to and from work cause more transportation related issues than meets the eye. Work-related travel demand, particularly commuting in peak travel periods, creates traffic congestion and is an important issue across the nation, the state and the Merrimack Valley. Telework (also referred to as telecommuting)—the practice of working from home or from a remote location—has gained popularity as a Transportation Control Measure (TCM) because it reduces the number of work trips while reducing transportation time, costs, and environmental impacts. Telework is also effective for managing business costs and improved employer/employee satisfaction.

The MVPC Regional Telework Study, funded by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, was conducted to 1) assess telework state of the practice 2) develop collaboration among state and regional stakeholders to promote telework, and 3) measure the effectiveness of telework as a tool for achieving regional transportation goals, such as the reduction of traffic congestion, fuel consumption and pollution.

The Process

MVPC initiated State of the practice research with an outreach to the region’s employers and business interests in spring 2010, in close cooperation with the Merrimack Valley Transportation Management Association (MVTMA) and The Junction Transportation Management Organization (JTMO). Telework information sessions were held in April and September, 2010, for the purposes of educating the public about telework while generating employer interest for participating in a regional telework Pilot Program (the Program). The Program was designed to assist the region’s employers in establishing formal telework arrangements, and to measure the expected environmental benefits. MVPC engaged Elham Shirazi, a nationally-recognized telework consultant, to assist with employer outreach, securing participants and conducting the Program. This work was completed in December 2010.

The Outcome

Research showed that employers nationwide implemented teleworking to generate business cost savings—particularly during times of challenging economic climates. Employees cited multiple benefits—time and cost savings, work/life flexibility and even productivity gains. MVPC found that formal and informal telework arrangements were active in the region. MVPC, its consultant, the MVTMA and JTMO conducted extensive outreach to the region’s employers during 2010, however, it was infeasible to generate region-specific practice data.