Air quality monitors in Maricopa County consistently exceed the federal health standard for ozone in warmer months. As a result, businesses around the County pay higher costs related to nonattainment and residents experience declining health conditions. The transportation sector plays a significant role in contributing to ozone precursors. Efforts to reduce vehicular travel can play a positive role in improving air quality.

Teleworking, in particular, is a proven strategy for businesses seeking to make substantial reductions in employee drive-alone commuting and quantifiable vehicle emission reductions. Maricopa County, where approximately 76% of workers drove alone to work in 2018, is an ideal location for encouraging teleworking. Additionally, the demand for telecommuting in Maricopa County is high: 7% of employees currently telework, but nearly 30% have indicated an interest in teleworking as a work option.

This project aims to use a best practice literature review, survey and focus groups, highlighting experiences related to the COVID-19 stay-at-home order within our pilot city, Tempe, to develop a teleworking toolkit for Human Resources departments seeking to develop teleworking programs. The final toolkit will be deployable by travel reduction programs in Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties.

Products

Final Report

Partners:

• Amanda Luecker, AICP, ADEQ
• Vanessa Spartan, AICP, City of Tempe
• Abagail Cooksey-Williams, Valley Metro