Telecommuting is the substitution of commuting with telecommunications. That is, instead of commuting daily to the workplace, work can be performed remotely and transferred to the workplace by telecommunications and computing technology.
Telecommuting implies telework.
Telecommuting substitutes for transport and may have positive impacts on the environment and transport infrastructure if it is used as a tool is in a supportive policy and planning framework. Other benefits of telecommuting may include increased productivity, reduced office overheads, increased work time flexibility, better utilisation of remotely located workers and reduced travelling time. The costs include the duplication of equipment, increased management effort and reduced social interaction. Experience has shown that telecommuting has not grown as fast as predicted in the late sixties. Telecommuting, in association with other policy and planning tools, has the potential to promote decentralisation and regional development, encourage the feeling of community, enhance the diversity of social and economic behaviour, and reduce the detrimental environmental effects of transportation.