Evaluation of Telecommuting Pilot Projects in the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area
Ronald E. Goodwin and Malcolm Hardiman, Texas Southern University, November 1997, 69 pp. (466040-1)
Many companies have implemented successful telecommuting programs designed to reduce congestion and comply with federal mandates, such as the Clean Air Act Amendments, and have found that telecommuting may also be beneficial in reducing energy usage and its associated costs. This study has been designed to evaluate three telecommuting pilot programs by companies located in the Houston area, and more specifically, determine if energy costs increase for the telecommuter and if that potential increase outweighs the other benefits.
It was found that the telecommuter’s home energy usage barely increased by one percent. The telecommuting programs, that were the focus of this study were still in the pilot phase, although the company representatives indicated that the successes thus far have encouraged company officials to continue the program beyond the pilot phase indefinitely. Information contained in this study will be useful to any company who may be considering telecommuting, as either a business or congestion mitigating strategy, who need additional policy guidelines in establishing their individual programs. While telecommuting will not solve all the congestion problems alone, use din conjunction with other measures, such as carpools and subsidized transit, positive results will be seen in high pollution areas.
Keywords: Telecommute, Congestion, Energy Business Strategies, Pollution, Policy Guidelines
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Reference Report #466040-1