THE IMPACTS OF FEASIBLE STAGGERED WORK HOURS AND COMPRESSED WORKWEEK POLICIES ON HIGHWAY NETWORKS, TRANSPORTATION ECONOMICS, ORGANIZATIONS AND EMPLOYEES

This study determines feasible work schedules of staggered work hours and 4-day workweeks and investigates their impacts on the operational efficiency of a highway network serving a high-density employment area in a medium size city. A sample of 140 employees from the main office of N.Y.S.D.O.T. in Albany, N.Y. were surveyed in September, 1976. Using 110 valid responses, the statistical algorithms Automatic Interaction Detection and Trade-Off, were used to determine the most important variables shaping attitudes toward flexible work hours and 4-day workweeks, and the schedules supported by the majority of employees. Traffic simulation techniques were then used to estimate changes in the operational efficiency of the transportation network and travel costs based on present and future traffic conditions. Results show that support for alternative work schedules stems from the desire to reconcile one's work and personal activities. The results show that out of 21 variables, the most important factors influencing favorability of alternative work schedules are leisure time, income, family size, age, congestion levels and carpooling. The most favored work schedules were found to be the 5-day-flexible, the 4-day-flexible, and the 5-day individual-specific-times programs. The greatest highway impacts of these schedules occur within a ring of two miles radius from the office site. The effect is less evident as the distance from the complex increases. The estimated systemwide transportation economic benefits are over $3 million (1976$) per year, accruing to commuters during the peak hour, especially those who participate in flexible or 4-day work programs. The impacts on the organization and its employees are generally anticipated to be positive, especially on employee leisure, family time, job satisfaction, productivity, savings on gasoline, and rush hour commuting. However, the effects on employee fatigue and inter- intra-agency communication may be somewhat negative. /Author/

• Corporate Authors:

  New York State Department of Transportation

  Planning Division, State Campus, Building 4
  Albany, NY  United States  12232
• Authors:
  • Tannir, A A
• Publication Date: 1977-8

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 223 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Age; Attitudes; Carpools; Economics; Employment; Families; Fuel consumption; Highways; Impact studies; Income; Networks; Simulation; Staggered work hours; Statistical analysis; Traffic congestion; Transportation; Urban areas
• Uncontrolled Terms: Family size
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Data and Information Technology; Economics; Society; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00177146
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Res Rpt. 129
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 19 1981 12:00AM