ESTIMATING USERS AND IMPACTS OF A REGIONAL ALTERNATIVE WORK SCHEDULE PROGRAM

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a study that estimates (a) the number of firms in the Baltimore metropolitan area that might implement an alternative work schedule program and (b) the reduction of vehicle miles of travel, emission of automobile pollutants, and gasoline consumption that could occur if alternative work schedules were implemented on a large-scale basis in the Baltimore area. The assumptions used to estimate the market for new alternative work schedule users and potential impacts were based on the survey responses of 828 Baltimore area firms and the alternative work schedule experiences of other cities. Employer responses to the regional survey show that nearly 25 percent of the firms are not using alternative work schedules, but it would be possible for them to change their schedule. Based on these responses and the experiences of other areas that have implemented areawide alternative work schedule programs, an estimated 260 firms in the Baltimore metropolitan area that employ 100 or more people could implement a flextime, staggered work hours, or compressed workweek program. As many as 84,000 employees could be involved in these alternative work schedule programs. These employees might reduce the distance that they commute annually 26 million miles. This, in turn, would reduce the amount of (a) hydrocarbon emissions by 36 Mg, (b) carbon monoxide emissions by 313 Mg, (c) nitrogen oxide emissions by 57 Mg, and (d) gasoline consumption by 1.2 million gal.

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