Even though many people are still working from home, traffic is almost back to pre-pandemic levels. Telework, it turns out, won t exactly crush San Diego s auto emissions. If you put those additional people onto roadways, we will probably exceed where we were, said Ray Major, chief economist for San Diego Association of Governments.
As everyone tries to figure out the post-pandemic world of work, the agency is using a survey of businesses and employees to zero in on how telework might change traffic.
The findings, discussed at a SANDAG meeting on May 7, will help inform the draft 2021 regional transportation plan that will be released May 28. Officials expect remote work to grow far more than in any previous plan.
After the pandemic, that number is expected to decline to 40%, according to the study.
The SANDAG Transportation, Regional Planning, and Borders committees met virtually Friday to discuss the results of the report, led by SANDAG staff and True North Research. It surveyed employees and businesses throughout the region to gain a better understanding of how the pandemic has altered remote work practices and policies, and expectations for the post-pandemic period.
The report found remote work policies and practices changed dramatically in response to the pandemic and also found changes were not equal across different industries, occupations or by employee demographics.