Title: Linking telecommunications and transportation - the macro simplicity and the micro complexity

Authors: Kenneth Button, Samantha Taylor

Addresses: School of Public Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA. PPK Environment & Infrastructure, 44 Albert Road, South Melbourne, 3205 Victoria, Australia

Abstract: Modern transportation and telecommunications are closely entwined. The difficulty is that, while at the macro level there is a demonstrable correlation between growth in transportation and telecommunications use, the linkages become more complex when there is disaggregation. Even at the macro level, the direction of causality is far from clear but as one disaggregates by type of trip, mode of travel, type of traveller and so on, it becomes clear that the overall positive correlation in fact comprises of a multiplicity of positive and negative ties. This paper explores evidence concerning these micro relationships and in particular looks at their implications for the formulation of public policy. To give the paper focus, attention is primarily on the links between teleworking and commuting behaviour, although there is also some discussion of freight transport matters.

Keywords: telecommunications; travel substitution; transportation policy; teleworking.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2002.001757

International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management, 2002 Vol.2 No.1, pp.40-55

Published online: 18 Aug 2003 *

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