Researching can be done remotely unless you're doing it from physical books. Most stuff is online. I'd say draft a plan. Maybe offer to put in an extra hour or two? You're spending a bunch of time commuting.
It is about productivity. If you know your job and do it well, unless there is some "face time" requirement, I think just lay out your proposal. I'm an attorney and I have a face time requirement but that is just my particular, peculiar, employer. Not everyone is like that. What would you have to lose? At worst, they say no. At best, they say ok.