Relationships between commuting distance, frequency and telework in Finland

The average commuting distance in Finland has increased steadily during recent decades. Daily long-distance commuting especially increases the number of vehicle-kilometres travelled. The aim of this work was to determine the relationship between commuting distance and frequency. The focus was on direct impacts of telework on commuting, but the significance of second apartments close to the workplace was also estimated. The empirical analyses were based on aggregate national data concerning commuting distances and a survey providing data of 19 000 employed respondents. The results of the study indicated that telework reduced by 0.7% the total kilometres travelled in Finland. The probability of working at home increases with commuting distance, but when the commuting trip exceeds 100 km a second apartment near the workplace becomes common and has a stronger impact on commuting kilometres travelled than telework.