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.

This paper presents results from the field test of a survey designed to collect data on the individual decision to telecommute. The field test was conducted primarily to assess whether a cover letter from the employer would induce a response bias. The survey was administered with two cover letters to the Sacramento-based Franchise Tax Board (FTB) and the San Francisco-based Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The cover letter type had a small (insignificant) impact on the response rate, but in the opposite direction than expected. The cover letter had little effect on reasons for wanting to telecommute: "to get more work done" was still the most important advantage for both cover letter groups. Differences in commute characteristics between the two agencies resulted in differences in perceived advantages of telecommuting. For PUC employees, reducing commute stress was the most important advantage of telecommuting, although getting more work done was a close second. For FTB employees, reducing commute stress was in ninth place. The combined sample showed a marked preference for home-based rather than center-based telecommuting.