Remote work and transport demand: new trends and impacts

This research project, commissioned by the Federal Roads Office, examines the impacts of home-based remote work on transport demand, a trend that was accelerated by the COVID-19 health crisis. Home-based remote work has significantly altered mobility patterns. This project examines how these changes influence network congestion, the timing of travel throughout the day, and the choice of transport modes. The analysis focuses in particular on shifts in commuting, peak spreading, and the indirect effects on both work-related and non-work-related travel.

The main objectives of the project are to measure:

• Reductions in commuting and their impacts on road and rail transport infrastructure.
• Peak spreading and shifts in travel schedules during the day, with the aim of reducing congestion during peak hours.
• Changes in travel modes, with a focus on modal shift toward private cars or active modes.
• Induced demand effects, such as increased non-work travel (leisure, shopping, family visits) or longer commuting distances resulting from greater flexibility in work schedules and locations.