The impact of flextime on carpooling and transit use : a case study of three government agencies in Nashville, Tennessee

Date Issued
August 1, 1980
Author(s)
Blakey, Robert Coleman
Advisor(s)
George E. Bowen
Additional Advisor(s)
Fred Wegman
Patricia L. Fisher
Permanent URI
Abstract
Planners and policy-makers are under increasing pressure to improve urban transportation and to do so within the constraints of tighter budgets and increasing costs. In addition, efforts at improving urban travel must coincide with current programs to improve air quality and reduce energy consumption. One suggested means of improving urban transportation, especially during peak travel periods, and concurrently pursuing the goals of improved air quality and reduced energy consumption is through the use of a relatively new method of work scheduling—flextime. However, the impact of flextime on two other widely advocated means of improving urban travel, carpooling and transit use, is unclear. This study examines the relationship between flextime and carpooling; and between flextime and transit use.

Following a description of flextime and its impact on the work environment and a review of literature concerning its potential as a travel congestion reduction measure, this study attempts to determine the impact of flextime on carpooling and transit use through a case study of three government agencies in Nashville-Davidson County, Tennessee. The following research questions provide the focus of the study;

1. Is there any change in the number of persons carpooling before and after flextime was implemented?

2. Is there any change in the number of persons riding transit before and after flextime was implemented?

3. Does flextime influence whether or not persons carpool with persons who work in a different location

4. Does flextime influence whether or not persons carpool with persons who have different working hours?

5. What factors related to flextime influence a person's choice of travel mode?

The study employees a literature review, a survey in the form of a questionnaire and interviews with pertinent individuals to answer the research questions.

The principle findings of the study are:

1. Flextime does not discourage persons from carpooling to and from work and in some instances increases the propensity for them to carpool.

2. Flextime does not discourage persons from using mass transit for home-to-work travel and, in some instances, increases transit use through improved convenience and accessibility.

3. Flextime does not encourage persons to drive to and from work alone.

The conclusions of the study are based upon these findings and the findings of past studies. They serve to dispell the popular assumption that flextime would, by encouraging persons to drive alone, impact negatively on existing patterns of carpooling and transit use.

Degree
Master of Science in Planning
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Thesis80B455.pdf

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4.22 MB

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