Evaluating the effect of post-pandemic hybrid work on travel behaviour and sustainable transportation: A tour-based analysis

The widespread adoption of hybrid work in the post-pandemic era has significantly influenced travel behaviour. However, its combined impact on trip-chaining patterns and vehicle miles travelled (VMT) remains underexplored. Hence, this study investigates differences in workers’ trip-chaining propensity, frequency, complexity, tour patterns, and VMT while assessing the role of activity distances in shaping these patterns. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis evaluates the effects of transitioning non-teleworkers to hybrid work on tour-related VMT. A survey conducted in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, between June 10 and July 20, 2023, employed statistical modelling to achieve the research objectives. The findings reveal substantial differences in tour patterns and complexity among workers. Hybrid workers have higher chances of complex tours, leading to fewer tours per day. Regardless of tour patterns, transitioning non-teleworkers to hybrid work can result in a 4.8% reduction in VMT per tour. Moreover, co-locating various facilities within the same locality can facilitate the transition from two-stop tours to complex tours, potentially reducing VMT by 19.6% per tour among hybrid workers. Sensitivity analysis suggests that converting 30% to 40% of non-teleworkers to hybrid work could provide a balanced approach, mitigating unintended increases in specific tour patterns while achieving meaningful VMT reductions. These findings offer critical insights into the behavioural adaptations and decision-making processes associated with hybrid work, underscoring their implications for sustainable mobility. By strategically integrating hybrid work with transport planning and mixed land-use policies, policymakers can enhance sustainable transportation systems and mitigate travel demand.