The Influence of Telecommuting & Remote Services on Travel Behavior
Research Conference
Register here: https://forms.gle/pQNNPkPRH3sxDbUv6
Friday, November 14, 2025, 9 AM – 3 PM PST. This hybrid event will be held both virtually via Zoom and at CSU Dominguez Hills (I&I 2270 and I&I 2001)
Directions: https://www.csudh.edu/visit-us/campus-map-directions/ (Park in Lot 2; I&I building is #15 on map.)
Webinar link: https://csudh.zoom.us/j/81017692287?pwd=IVMwzpatIH5YgvlGHXzTY5EkNNpVl3.1
Conference Description: California’s Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) face a complex new transportation landscape in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Telecommuting as well as remote services such as telehealth, e-learning, and e-commerce surged during the pandemic, dramatically reshaping travel behavior, land use, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Yet as vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and GHG levels return to pre-pandemic norms—and public transit use lags—the long-term role of remote services in supporting MPO Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS) remains an open and urgent question. This conference invites researchers, planners, policymakers, technologists, community leaders, and transportation professionals to share research papers, data, case studies, and strategies that analyze telecommuting and remote services (T&RS) trends and explore how they can be effectively integrated into SCS planning. Special attention will be given to addressing equity, forecasting methodologies, emissions modeling, and the needs of California’s underserved communities.
This conference is funded by a grant sponsored by the California Air Resources Board
Tentative Schedule
8.30 AM to 9:00 AM
Networking/Continental Breakfast I&I 2001
9:00 AM to 9:45 AM
Session 1. Overview of Telecommuting and Remote Services Research I&I 2270
Keynote: Dr. Pengyu Zhu, 15 years of research into telecommuting: have any patterns changed?
Dr Zhu is Professor in the Division of Public Policy at Hong Kong University of Science and technology (HKUST). He is also the Director of the Center for Applied Economic Social and Environmental Research, Associate Director of GREAT Smart Cities Institute.
Wang, K., & De Vos, J. (2025). Trends in leisure and shopping travel: From pre-to post-COVID-19 pandemic. Travel Behaviour and Society, 39, 100956.
9:45 AM to 10:00 AM
Break Refreshments in I&I 2001
10:00 AM to 10:45 AM
Session 2. Commuting and mode choice I&I 2270 (Discussant: Dr. Jose N. Martinez)
Makino, K., S. Gulhare, D.S. Bunch, and G. Circella. (2025) When and Where Do People Work Post-Pandemic? Clustering of Week-Long Temporal and Spatial Work Arrangements in California.
Chen, P., Yang, X., Zhang, Y., & Hu, S. (2025). The resiliency of transit and ride-hailing system through the coronavirus pandemic: Lessons from six large US cities. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 20, 101470.
Jena, A., D.S. Bunch, and G. Circella. (2025) Analyzing Post-COVID-19 Commuting Preferences and Frequencies in California: A Hybrid Multiple Discrete-Continuous Extreme Value (HMDCEV) Approach.
Break Refreshments in I&I 2001
10:45 AM to 11:00 AM
Session 3. Telecommuting, trips and VMT I&I 2270 (Discussant: Dr. Tianjun Lu)
11:00 AM to 11:45 AM
Chen, P., Yang, X., & Zhang, Y. (2024). Exploring the interconnection between telecommuting, trip reduction, and transportation equity amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Transportation Letters, 17(3), 541-551.
Lee, Y., X. Iogansen, G. Circella and B. Ozbilen (2025) The Treatment Effects of Post-Pandemic Hybrid/Remote Work on Vehicle Miles Traveled: A Case Study of California Workers.
Rafiq, R., M. McNally, and F. Prager (2025) Does Work-from-home Lead to Fewer Trips? Factors Influencing Trip Making on Work-from-home versus Commuting Days.
Lunch I&I 2001
11:45 AM to 1:00 PM
Session 4. Spatial and land use aspects I&I 2270 (Discussant: Dr. Parveen Chhetri)
1 PM to 1:45 PM
Zandiatashbar, A, L. Mozaffarian, and T. W. Lester (2025) Do High-Tech Zones House High-Tech Workers? A Spatial-Statistical Assessment Across California.
Makino, K., S. Gulhare, D.S. Bunch, Y. Lee, and G. Circella. (2025) Day-to-Day Variation of Post-Pandemic Work Arrangement of California Workers.
Chhetri, P., P. Silwal, T. Lu, F. Prager, J. Ke, and J.N. Martinez (2025) Exploring Temporal and Spatial Patters of MPO-Level VMT in California.
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Session 5. Telecommuting and remote services I&I 2270 (Discussant: Dr. Jian-yu Ke)
Tian, G. (2025) Do Teleactivities Lead to More Sustainable Travel? Evidence from the 2017 and 2022 U.S. National Household Travel Surveys.
Prager, F., R. Rafiq, M. McNally, T. Lu, J.N. Martinez, P. Chhetri and J. Ke (2025) Do Teleworkers Use More Remote Services? Evidence from a California-Wide Survey.
Ke. J., X. Xu, F. Prager, T. Lu, P. Chhetri, and J.N. Martinez (2025) From Substitution to Rebound: How Work-from-home and E-commerce Transform Vehicle Travel After COVID-19.
Closing Session. Where Next for Telecommuting and Remote Services Research? I&I 2270
2:45PM to 3:00 PM
Closing Remarks: Dr. Fynnwin Prager
