PLANNING FOR TELECOMMUTING - MEASUREMENT AND POLICY ISSUES

The level of interest in telecommuting has increased dramatically, but it is not clear exactly how much telecommuting is occurring. Part of the problem is confusion over definitions, which this paper attempts to remedy. Then, using a variety of independent sources, the paper estimates the amount of telecommuting that is occurring in California and demonstrates the difficulties faced in interpreting and reconciling available data. Telecommuting penetration (the percent of workers who telecommute) is distinguished from telecommuting levels (based on the number of telecommuting occasions). Finally, the paper explores the role that planners have played in encouraging and sometimes in inhibiting telecommuting and the possible impacts of telecommuting on development patterns, and suggests what planners should be doing to encourage and respond to telecommuting.