
Research: Telecommuting

Telecommuting became much more common during the pandemic, and it continues to have broad impacts on transportation and land use. TPEC researchers are studying telecommuting trends and impacts, with a focus on equity.
The initial transportation impacts of the pandemic—such as reduced traffic congestion and cleaner air—were largely positive. The benefits and costs, however, did not fall equally across all parts of the population, as some “essential” workers, who usually had lower incomes and were from BIPOC (Black, indigenous, and people of color) populations, did not have the option to work from home.
TPEC researchers examined the impacts of telecommuting on travel and land-use patterns, congestion, and transit use. For their analysis, they interviewed Twin Cities metro stakeholders and used MnDOT and Metro Transit data from key locations and commuter corridors across the region. Some highlights:
- Travel dispersion. Overall, the newfound flexibility offered by telecommuting was reflected in a dispersion of travel patterns. More employees worked from home in the mornings, reducing morning peak travel. Evening traffic volumes downtown returned to pre-pandemic levels by 2022, but a greater number of these trips were discretionary (not for commuting) than before.
- Transit ridership. Ridership declines were unequal among sociodemographic groups. The remaining riders—many of them essential workers—were those who rely on public transit for mobility and accessibility throughout the day.
Researchers found that travel behavior changes have the potential to impact investments in infrastructure across the Twin Cities metro region. A new normal could have long-term impacts on vehicle-miles traveled, congestion, transit use, finance, and emissions. Strategies may be needed to maintain transit services and overcome the impacts on women, minority communities, and those with low incomes.