Telecommuting Implications for Travel Behavior: Case Studies from Minnesota

Abstract

Case studies of two telecommuting programs were conducted as part of a larger research effort devoted to examining the implications of telecommunications for Minnesota transportation and community development. Data were collected in a large private high-technology firm and in a public agency located in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area. A multiple method design was employed including a cross-section survey of nontelecommuting employees; a census survey of telecommuters; and in-depth interviews with telecommuters, their coworkers, and their supervisors. Analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between telecommuting and travel behavior and the potential effects of travel outcomes for community systems. Results indicate that telecommuting implementation strategies differ within and between organizations, and these differing approaches appear to moderate the relationship between telecommuting and complex travel behaviors, such as local errand running and trip chaining. Additional findings concur with those of other studies, and the difficulty of the commute is highlighted as a primary factor in understanding the choice to telecommute and its impact on travel behavior.