Firms may be pressured into providing more flexible work-ing hours in a bid to reduce congestion in the West Midlands.
The move is one of a raft of measures being looked at in a £1.2 million feasibility study to ease chronic traffic difficulties in the region.
Road pricing will also be examined as part of the project, the largest survey into congestion ever undertaken in the region.
The region's seven metropolitan authorities were awarded the cash last November to find a solution to the problem, estimated to cost local businesses £2.5 billion a year.
Coventry City Council chief executive Stella Manzie, chair of the feasibility study steering group, said: "Action is needed if we are to head off very real threats to regeneration, growth and quality of life."
Today sees the appointment of a team of consultants who will take responsibility for specific areas over the coming months.
They include reviewing congestion options, the impact proposals will have on the environment, business and local communities.
The seven metropolitan authorities are working together with the Passenger Transport Authority on the survey. n Business leaders, MPs and transport officials met yesterday to sign a charter supporting the £500 million redevelopment of Birmingham's New Street Station.
The move aims to galvanise the region into fighting to ensure the city gets the long-awaited rebuild of the 1960s station.
Under the plans, about £167 million of the total cost will need to come from the private sector.
Peter Strachan, Network Rail route director, called on everyone in the region to back the Gateway Campaign Charter.
"We now need everyone in Birmingham to join with us in fighting for the modern station that Birmingham needs and deserves," he said.
