METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES IN THE ESTIMATION OF THE TRAVEL, ENERGY, AND AIR-QUALITY IMPACTS OF TELECOMMUTING

This paper addresses methodological issues in the estimation of travel -related impacts of telecommuting, based on findings from eight teleco mmuting pilot programs. Several of the studies address energy use (bot h travel-related and home-based) and one provides information on emiss ions of air pollutants. These findings are analyzed as well. Travel im pacts examined include weekday person- and vehicle-miles saved due to a reduction in commuting, overall weekday travel reductions, and other changes in travel patterns for the telecommuter and the household. So me important issues regarding the estimation of these impacts, their u se outside of the pilot programs, and their use in estimating energy s avings or reductions in emissions are discussed. In particular, it is cautioned that early, short-term findings from small programs with par ticipants unrepresentative of the population as a whole may change con siderably as telecommuting moves into the mainstream.