eCommute

Teleworking, or telecommuting, is the practice of working outside of the office using telecommunications technology. In addition to providing valuable benefits to the employee and the employer, teleworking also improves traffic congestion and air quality. DVRPC, in partnership with the Global Environment and Technology Foundation (GETF), is offering local employers the opportunity to participate in an innovative pilot program that tackles the problems that the daily commute places on employees and air quality.

Benefits to the teleworker include increased job satisfaction, better home/work balance and less stress. This results in benefits to the employer, including better concentration, greater employee productivity and task efficiency. Studies have also shown that teleworking employees work more hours than their in-office counterparts. Without a demanding schedule and time spent traveling, teleworkers also have more free time to do other things.

The ecommute Program is administered in five metropolitan areas; Southeastern Pennsylvania is one of them. This study, authorized by Congress in of the National Telecommuting and Air Quality of 1999 (HR 2084/Public Law 106-69, Section 365), motivates employers to implement telecommuting and evaluates the impact telecommuters have on air quality by not driving to work. Teletrips software accurately tracks participation and emissions savings. (Employees do not have to telework on a daily basis to participate.)

DVRPC is working with Harrison Associates to complete Phase III of the pilot project. For more information, visit www.ecommute.net or click on the information sheets below.

• Employers without a telework program [.pdf | 91K]
• Employers with a telework program [.pdf | 91K]