Work-from-Home
In TDM23, Work-from-Home (WFH) rates are estimated and utilized from two perspectives: workers and employments. Users can choose from the following WFH modes:
- "No WFH": No work-from-home arrangements are applied.
- "WFH for workers only": WFH is considered only for workers.
- "WFH for employment only": WFH is considered only for employments.
- "WFH for both workers and employment": WFH is considered for both workers and employments.
The 2019 base year serves as the baseline level for WFH estimates. This means that all commuting and WFH estimates are relative to the remote work levels of 2019, rather than assuming a scenario where every worker commuted.
By default, the WFH component is set to "No WFH," reflecting the status quo of 2019. If enabled ("WFH for workers only," "WFH for employment only," or "WFH for both workers and employment"), the preset values will be based on 2023 data. Users can calculate their WFH rates using the method described below.
Worker WFH Rates
Worker WFH rates are calculated in geographic levels (Model Regional, State, MPO, town/city levels), and use default values and different values from the default values.
In setting the geographic Worker WFH rates within the TDM23 model, we employ a method that utilizes default WFH rates alongside specific, differing values for certain areas, rather than relying on average WFH rates. This method entails setting a standard, or default, WFH rate for a larger geographic area (such as a state) and then applying different WFH rates for specific subregions within that area (like individual MPOs) where the WFH trends are known to vary from the norm. For instance, if most parts of a state have a consistent WFH rate, this rate is set as the default for the entire state. However, for any MPO within the state that demonstrates a distinctively different WFH rate, this unique rate is applied specifically to that MPO. As a result, the overall WFH rate for the state does not simply mirror the average of all its MPOs, but rather reflects a more nuanced combination of the default rate and these individual variations, providing a more accurate and representative picture of WFH trends across different geographic levels.
For general analysis, the model recommends using the Model Regional, State, and MPO levels. At these levels, a default WFH rate is established for each category. This rate is typically reflective of the most common WFH rate within that category. However, for specific areas within these categories, such as individual MPOs or states that exhibit unique WFH trends, distinct WFH rates are applied. These rates are inputted through tables in the UI, providing an efficient and user-friendly means of data management.
On a more detailed scale, the town/city level is available. This level is particularly useful for in-depth analysis of localized WFH trends. For towns and cities, WFH rates are inputted via a CSV file, consisting of two fields: “town” and “wfh_rate”. This method ensures that detailed data for each locality is accurately represented in the model.
Employment WFH Rates
Worker WFH rates are calculated by job sectors, regardless of geographies.
Calculation of WFH Rates
The WFH rates for workers and Employments are to be calculated using either the default values provided by the model or through custom values based on local surveys or studies. This section outlines the procedure used to establish these preset values, serving as a guide for users who wish to generate their own inputs based on specific data.
As 2019 is the baseline year for work from home and 2023 is the model year, we use the differential WFH rates as inputs. We adopted Replica data for calculating the inputs.
The People dataset from Replica includes critical information such as “person id”, “TAZ id”, “employment status”, “WFH status”, and “industry (job sector)”. By aggregating this data at the TAZ level, we obtain Worker WFH rates specific to each TAZ. Further, by applying the relationships between TAZ and MPO, as well as TAZ and State, we can extrapolate these rates to broader geographic levels, yielding Worker WFH rates at both the MPO and State levels.
In addition, by aggregating the data based on the industry to job sector relationships, we can determine Employment WFH rates by job sector.
The tables below present the WFH rates for workers (categorized by State and MPO) and employments (categorized by sector) for both the years 2019 and 2023, highlighting the differences to be used as TDM23 inputs.
| State | WFH Rate 2019 | WFH Rate 2023 | WFH Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA | 0.05 | 0.27 | 0.22 |
| NH | 0.07 | 0.28 | 0.22 |
| RI | 0.04 | 0.20 | 0.16 |
(Note: Rounding errors may be present.)
| MPO | WFH Rate 2019 | WFH Rate 2023 | WFH Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRMPO | 0.05 | 0.30 | 0.25 |
| BRPC | 0.06 | 0.11 | 0.05 |
| CCC | 0.07 | 0.16 | 0.10 |
| CMRPC | 0.05 | 0.27 | 0.22 |
| FRCOG | 0.08 | 0.21 | 0.13 |
| MRPC | 0.05 | 0.25 | 0.21 |
| MVC | 0.12 | 0.21 | 0.10 |
| MVPC | 0.05 | 0.25 | 0.21 |
| NMCOG | 0.04 | 0.26 | 0.22 |
| NPEDC | 0.06 | 0.08 | 0.02 |
| OCPC | 0.04 | 0.27 | 0.24 |
| PVPC | 0.04 | 0.26 | 0.21 |
| SRPEDD | 0.03 | 0.24 | 0.21 |
(Note: Rounding errors may be present.)
| Sector | WFH Rate 2019 | WFH Rate 2023 | WFH Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.04 | 0.12 | 0.08 |
| 2 | 0.04 | 0.22 | 0.18 |
| 3 | 0.08 | 0.47 | 0.39 |
| 4 | 0.02 | 0.34 | 0.32 |
| 5 | 0.10 | 0.53 | 0.43 |
| 6 | 0.03 | 0.14 | 0.10 |
| 7 | 0.03 | 0.24 | 0.20 |
| 8 | 0.08 | 0.16 | 0.08 |
| 9 | 0.11 | 0.47 | 0.35 |
| 10 | 0.03 | 0.15 | 0.12 |
(Note: Rounding errors may be present.)
When examining Worker WFH rates at the State and MPO levels, we note that 0.21 emerges as the most common difference in WFH rates. Consequently, we have designated 0.21 as the default WFH rate for the Model Regional level for year 2023 in TDM23. In instances where the WFH rate difference is 0.22, which is very close to our default of 0.21, the default value will still be applied to maintain consistency and simplicity in the model.
For Employment WFH rates, the differences in WFH rates by sector are used directly as inputs.
The preset inputs for both Worker and Employment WFH rates, as outlined above, have been demonstrated in previous figures within the UI. Please note that, the preset Worker WFH rates primarily focuses on the State and MPO levels, rather than extending down to the town/city level. However, users who require town/city level analysis can adapt the same methodology to achieve this finer level of detail.