During the 1970s when the term “telecommuting” was formed, it was suppose to be the wave of the future and solve the world’s commuting problems. Now, well into the 21st century, telecommuting hasn’t quite taken the world by storm or solved the numerous problems associated with commuting, but it is offering an alternative to traffic congestion.

What is Telecommuting?
Telecommuting is the replacement of the conventional commute to work -- by car, bus, etc. – with a linkup to a central office through the Internet, phones, faxes and other communication technology.

There are two types of telecommuting:

• Home-based, which is working from home with communication to a central office.
• Center-based, which is working from a local or regional satellite office that is closer to employees than the main office.

Home-based telecommuting is likely to eliminate commutes to work altogether, while center-based is likely to reduce the length of commutes.

Benefits of Telecommuting
While some argue that telecommuting will not solve all of commuters’ problems because it is not an option available to everyone, for those who can, there are many benefits such as:

• Reduced traffic congestion
• Reduced total travel time
• Reduced pollution
• Access to work for people with disabilities or special needs

To find out if telecommuting is an option available to you, ask your employer.