An empirical assessment of teleworking using the Sydney Household Travel Survey data

Teleworking has long been considered an important demand-management strategy that can assist in easing congestion problems and associated environmental impacts. Recent advances in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has reinforced its appeal as a cost-effective solution. Teleworking could be a viable demand management strategy in Sydney where pressures on the network, and the growth in demand, are focussed on the peak periods. Given that journey to work trips comprise 27% of all trips during the morning peak, teleworking provides a relatively easy and low-cost option for reducing these trips during this period. To inform the discussion and policy in Sydney, this paper analysed the Sydney Household Travel Survey data to assess the impacts of teleworking on travel demand and how application may be targeted to maximise benefits. The analysis showed that: • the incidence of teleworking in Sydney was small but growing; • teleworkers were more likely to be: males; aged 31 to 50 years; those in couple with children households; those in the highest income bracket; managers, professionals and administrators; and those employed in the property and business services industries; • workers who worked from home made less trips overall, travelled less distance and generated less VKT than those that went to work; and, • when considering expanded application, the following types of workers were likely to generate more transport benefits: those with fixed hour work schedules; those working in non-centres; those with longer home-to-work distances, especially those who travel by private vehicle.