The planning authorities of Marin and Sonoma Counties should now expand on the earlier effort, recognize that a new information infrastructure is exploding, with or without their attention or direction, and move ahead in a concerted way to optimize their telecommunications capability. The Connectivity Element would be inextricably intertwined with other elements of the General Plan. Take for example the Transportation Element. Reducing automobile use is a primary benefit of telecommuting. Studies of telecommuters show clear reductions in all aspects of automobile usage.
Telecommuting can reduce peak-period commuting travel, and thus help reduce congestion.
The telecommuter may only need to go into the office for a few hours each day. He or she can work at home in the morning, leave for the office at 10 a.m., return by 3 p.m., and continue to work at home in the evening. As more and more people are stimulated to follow this pattern, traffic loads on Highway 101, Highway 29, Highway 580 and other major arteries can be made more constant throughout the day and help limit or reduce peak period congestion. Studies of practicing telecommuters show large decreases in peak-period trips, in terms of both absolute trip numbers and frequency of freeway use. Therefore, the General Plan of each North Bay city and county should encourage telecommuting as a way to reduce peak-period freeway congestion for much less money than building HOV lanes.