Commuting

Person wearing headphones sitting at desk with monitor showing other people on Zoom meeting.

Which Cities Have the Most Remote Workers?

Across the country, a median of 12.5 percent of workers continue to perform their jobs remotely.

February 10, 2025 - The Herald Sun

Professional cleaners wearing medical masks and gloves cleaning desks in large empty office.

The Ripple Effects of Remote Work

The number of Americans who work from home rose sharply during the pandemic and remains high, posing important questions about the future of transportation and housing.

January 21, 2025 - Bloomberg CityLab

Woman at desk with laptop and extra monitor with Zoom session open.

From 9-to-5 to Anytime: How Telecommuting Changes the Traffic Game

Not all cities have benefited equally from congestion relief brought on by shifting commuting patterns.

December 10, 2024 - Andreea Neculae

Red T train passing on elevated rail with Boston buildings in background.

Boston Commuter Rail Recovering Rapidly

The ‘T’ is reworking its schedule to offer more reliable and flexible service, including more midday and weekend trains.

June 5, 2024 - Route Fifty

two riders wearing masks during the covid-19 pandemic exit a blue city bus in the Bronx in New York City.

Transit Ridership Continues its Slow Recovery

Ridership grew by 16 percent between 2022 and 2023.

April 11, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Low shot of side of subway or commuter train and passengers walking on platform next to it.

Study: Half of Global Commutes Made by Car; Rates Vary Widely

The United States is conspicuously consistent in its high rates of car usage, a new analysis finds.

March 19, 2024 - Phys.org

View of rush hour traffic on Brooklyn Bridge at golden hour.

FHWA: Driving on US Roads at All-Time High

The end of some remote work policies and lower gas prices led to a rise in driving last year.

February 12, 2024 - Spectrum News 1

Red San Diego trolley in front of 1915 Neo-Spanish building at Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego, California.

San Diego Region Developing Long-Range Transportation Plan

The new plan, set to take effect in 2025, accounts for changes in mobility patterns brought on by remote work.

December 12, 2023 - Axios

View of cars on freeway with Charlotte, North Carolina skyline in background.

Charlotte’s Changing Commute Patterns

With more people working from home since the pandemic, the area is seeing shorter commute times for cars and public transit.

November 8, 2023 - WFAE

View of Minneapolis freeway with downtown skyline in background with light traffic at golden hour.

Twin Cities Commutes Faster Than Pre-Pandemic

Workers who have returned to in-person jobs are still experiencing less traffic congestion than in 2019.

October 27, 2023 - Axios

D.C. Metro Bus

Opinion: How to Save D.C. Transit

Ridership data shows that many D.C. transit users depend on the service, despite a drop in ridership. The system needs changes—and funding—to have a future.

September 26, 2023 - Greater Greater Washington

Empty underground Muni train platform in San Francisco with escalator, stairs in center of image.

Post-Pandemic Travel Patterns Call for Different Transit Schedules

As remote work and changed commuting patterns endure, transit agencies are shifting their focus to serve a wider variety of riders.

September 21, 2023 - Governing

View of Dallas city skyline with moderately busy freeway in foreground at twilight.

How to Reduce Excess Vehicle Travel

Some experts claim that remote work is the most effective way to reduce vehicle travel, but my research indicates that improving and encouraging walking, bicycling, and public transit can provide larger impacts and benefits.

September 8, 2023 - Todd Litman

Busy traffic on a road

Leveraging the Choice Not to Travel

The pandemic accelerated the growth of remote services and telecommuting. Now is the time for urban planners to leverage these new opportunities to reduce vehicle miles traveled.

August 28, 2023 - Steven Polzin

Close-up of two passengers in business clothes sitting face to face on speeding train

Forget the Bean Bag Chair: Workers Just Want Short Commutes

The office amenities of yore are out. Quick, painless commutes are in.

June 15, 2023 - Curbed

Close-up of two passengers in business clothes sitting face to face on speeding train

‘Super Commuting’ Hits Ten-Year Low

The number of Americans whose commutes take over three hours per day peaked in 2019, but dropped dramatically as remote work became more widespread.

May 11, 2023 - Apartment List

Bike Commuter

How Commute Times Impact Office Vacancy

Workplaces that employees can reach more quickly are less likely to have high office vacancy rates, a new analysis finds.

April 11, 2023 - Globe St.

Blurred night view of gridlocked traffic on freeway

Congestion Growing in Sunbelt Cities

Cities with rapidly growing populations and inadequate public transit systems are seeing more gridlock despite changes in commuting patterns and the rise of remote work.

March 15, 2023 - The Wall Street Journal

An image of Washington D.C. with highways and the streaks from car head and tail lights in the foreground, and the Washington Monument in the background.

Federal Union: Remote Work Is Climate-Friendly

Federal workers are pushing back on a return to the office, citing the environmental benefits of eliminating daily commuting.

February 24, 2023 - The Washington Post

University Ave and Dundas Street in downtown Toronto

Canada's Car Commuting Roars Back as Transit’s Rebound Remains Slow

Car commuting rates are returning to pre-pandemic levels, while public transit and active transportation rates are slower to recover.

December 1, 2022 - The Globe and Mail

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.