Assessing the impact of telework enhancing policies for reducing car emissions: Exploring calculation methods for data-missing urban areas – Example of a medium-sized European city (Besançon, France)

Teleworking has been identified as a potential key lever for reducing air pollution. Yet, evaluating the atmospheric outcomes of teleworking enhancing policies remains difficult, especially when official databases on telework, household equipment and car emissions are incomplete or nonexistent. Here we propose several techniques to efficiently assess impact an increase in rates, explore resulting bias, typical medium-sized European metropolitan area where few data available: Besançon, France. Population cartographical introduced individual-based daily mobility simulation model. We then calculate twenty pollutants, using three different methodologies that aim compensate, with precision levels, lack accurate information regarding vehicle fleets. Our results confirms efficiency telework emissions, average reduction −0.42% emission 1% rate. The level used strongly impacts estimated quantity pollutant (up factor ten). Failing correctly account inequalities rate between socio-occupational categories introduces strong bias which may degrade correct evaluation environmental benefits planning policies.