Ashour, L., & Shen, Q. (2025). Unveiling post-pandemic commute choices amidst the rise of telework. Transportation Research. Part D, Transport and Environment, 149, Article 105068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2025.105068
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Abstract
The post-pandemic “new normal” is characterized by increased adoption of telework and a decline in transit use, with a growing uncertainty about the long-term effects of these trends. This study investigates the impact of telework adoption on commute mode choice and the factors influencing individual preferences in the new normal, using data from the 2022 Seattle Commute Survey, capturing mode choice on each day in a typical workweek, providing a mixture of modes and the frequency of use for each respondent. Using the Multiple Discrete-Continuous Extreme Value (MDCEV), the study provides timely insights into the factors influencing commute mode choice, highlighting the significant influence of sociodemographic, job-related, and built environment characteristics on mode choice and the nuanced difference between modes, raising concerns about potential inequities in the new normal. The findings highlight the need to prioritize access to public transit, adapt transportation infrastructure to telework, and address rising inequities.
Sa, H., & Shen, Q. (2026). Understanding employees’ residential choices in connection to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cities, 173, Article 107008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2026.107008.
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Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 resulted in the proliferation of work-from-home (WFH) and flexible work arrangements. Existing studies have not systematically investigated the resulting patterns of employees' residential choices within the metropolitan area. This study aims to deepen the understanding of employees' residential location choices during the COVID-19 pandemic by examining the impacts of their remote work status. The study is based on the 2022 Seattle Commute Survey, which collected information on work arrangements, individuals' sociodemographic characteristics, work and home locations, and commute and non-commute travel. The primary results of our analysis indicated that: (1) relocated employees who worked remotely (full WFH and hybrid) were more inclined to move outward from their work locations, compared to those engaged in in-person work, (2) employees relocating closer had the shortest commute distances across all work arrangements, while those relocating farther experienced the longest commutes, especially among full WFH employees, (3) remote work status (full WFH and hybrid) had a strong positive association with the choices of staying in original homes and relocating farther from worksites compared to the reference choice of relocating closer to worksites, (4) the influences of full WFH and hybrid work arrangements on the choice of staying in the original housing and relocating farther did not generally differ across age or household income groups, and (5) residential decisions were jointly shaped by a combination of work policy, sociodemographic elements, household lifecycle stage, commuting characteristics, and neighborhood attributes. Our findings contribute to the literature on employees' intra-metropolitan residential choices in connection with teleworking.
Keywords
Residential choices; Remote work; COVID-19 pandemic; Bayesian multilevel multinomial logistic model; Urban transportation planning
The College of Built Environments hosted a two-day research showcase and PhD symposium honoring Anne Vernez Moudon’s legacy, bringing together students, faculty and industry leaders to reflect on her impact and highlight current research across urban design, mobility and public health.