U Colorado Boulder Appoints First Senior Transportation Fellow
The University of Colorado Boulder's Environmental Center has named planning and design professor Kevin J. Krizek as its first senior transportation fellow to help with a vision and plan toward an advanced sustainable transportation system. Krizek will work to synergize local and regional transportation issues, mentor students and assist faculty and staff in developing expertise and innovation related to transportation demand management.
Staffordshire U Adopts Car Share Program
(U.K.): A partnership with Hertz On Demand now offers students and faculty a free membership that allows them to reserve a vehicle via phone or on the website. The pay-as-you-go system provides members 24-hour access to vehicles located on campus.
U Queensland Sees 70% Increase in Bike, Pedestrian Commuters
(Australia): A recent report has revealed a significant rise in bus, bike and pedestrian commuters to the University of Queensland's St Lucia campus. Bus commuters have doubled since the last survey in 2002 and the number of people traveling by bike or foot increased 70 percent. The university has worked to improve its green transportation infrastructure by capping campus car parking spots and working with the Brisbane City Council to develop direct access via public transportation to campus.
Clemson U Debuts Car Share, Electric Car Charging Station
Clemson University (South Carolina) has unveiled its first electric vehicle charging station and a new car sharing program. WeCar, a membership-based car sharing program, allows students, faculty and staff to rent vehicles by the hour. The charging station will be used to charge a Chevrolet Volt that is part of the WeCar vehicle fleet.
Queens U Opens Bike Shop
The AMS Bike Shop at Queen's University’s (Ontario), organized by its Commission of the Environment and Sustainability, will provide replacement parts and repair services for students, and sell refurbished bicycles.
Western Michigan U Expands Electric Car Charging Offerings
A year after unveiling four electric car charging stations on its main campus, Western Michigan University has announced that 20 electric vehicle charging stations are now connected to the university’s power grid and available to the public free of charge.
Colorado State U Installs DIY Bike Repair Station
Colorado State University's Police Department has installed a DIY bike repair station to promote bicycling on campus. The station is equipped with an air pump, screwdrivers, various wrenches and a tire lever. Campus bike registrations and bicycle tickets funded the $1,300 project.
San Jose State U Plans Regional Bike Sharing Program
San Jose State University (CA) has received a grant from the Valley Transportation Authority, Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Bay Area Quality Management District to launch a regional bike sharing program this spring. The program will include 400 bicycles and 40 bike share stations.
Stanford U Earns National 'Best Workplaces for Commuters' Honor
Stanford University (CA) has been recognized as one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters by the National Center for Transit Research for the ninth consecutive year. The university also received the "Best Of" award in the Best Workplaces for Commuters 2011 Race to Excellence.
U Albany Encourages Bus Commuting with GPS Convenience
In an effort to encourage bus ridership to campus, the University at Albany (NY) has implemented a new GPS tracking system on their bus fleet. The wireless system allows the university community to see the location of buses via smart phone or monitors placed around campus. The university received a $166,000 grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the NYS Department of Transportation for the project.
Yale U Adds Electric Van to Delivery Fleet
Over the next year, Yale University (CT) will compare a gas-powered transit van with a new all-electric van with zero emissions to determine if a permanent switch will be beneficial. A new charging station will monitor usage information including the electric van's kilowatt usage.
Calif. State U Sacramento Students Convert Waste Oil to Biodiesel
With $6,000 in grants from the university's Greenovation Fund and Sustainability Steering Committee, mechanical engineering students at California State University, Sacramento are converting waste oil from campus kitchens into biodiesel fuel. The students are aiming to create enough diesel to fuel the grounds maintenance equipment on campus.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical U Students Develop Biodiesel Fuel
Students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL) have begun developing a biodiesel source to save fuel costs for the university. The biodiesel will be created from recycled oil from campus kitchens and will be used to fuel campus tractors. The university expects to save $3 a gallon and reduce emissions.
New York U Doubles Bike Share Efforts
New York University will more than double the size of its bike share fleet this month, officially moving the program out of its pilot phase. The program has grown "exponentially" since its launch in summer 2010, said the university's bike share coordinator, and has helped inform plans for a New York City bike share.
San Diego State U Unveils Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
San Diego State University (CA) has announced the installation of 14 electric vehicle charging stations across campus that are free for students, faculty and staff. The stations were made available by a grant from the University of California Department of Energy.
U Kentucky Debuts DIY Bicycle Repair Stand
The University of Kentucky's Wildcat Wheels Program has launched a DIY Bicycle Repair Stand in an effort to enhance the services available to campus cyclists. The new stand includes a waterproof dispenser with free, pre-glued patches and instructions on how to patch a flat.
Bowling Green State U Students Initiate Eco-Friendly Bike Racks
Bowling Green State University’s (OH) Undergraduate Student Government and Office of Campus Sustainability have announced plans to purchase 20 new bicycle racks made from recycled plastic. The group hopes that more bicycle racks will result in more bike commuters to campus.
Rhode Island College Introduces Car Sharing Program
Rhode Island College has partnered with Zipcar, Inc. to launch a campus car sharing program for students, faculty and staff. Offering two cars to start, the college aims to reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions on campus.
SUNY Cortland Debuts Eco-Friendly Buses
State University of New York at Cortland has purchased a new fleet of environmentally friendly buses that use cleaner fuel. Featuring messages to increase climate issue awareness among the campus community, the propane-fueled vehicles are part of the university's Climate Action Plan toward carbon neutrality by 2050.
Vanderbilt U Partners with Students for Bike Sharing Program
Vanderbilt University (TN) has announced that re{cycle}, the winner of its Vanderbilt Ventures Competition, will receive start-up money, compensation, support and resources from the Dean of Students office to launch a campus bike sharing program. The student-run company will offer access to daily bicycle rentals for $10 a day to undergraduate students at the university.
Appalachian State U Expands Green Transportation Options
Appalachian State University (NC) has teamed up with UHaulCarShare to expand its car sharing program. Through the partnership, students, faculty and staff will have access to three vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to UHaulCarShare, the university offers ride sharing through Zimride, a ridesharing social network that helps people share commutes or one-time rides.
Columbia U Basketball Team Saves Emissions with Biodiesel Travel
The Lions men's basketball team at Columbia University (NY) saved 77 percent in carbon dioxide emissions traveling by biodiesel bus to a recent away game. The trip was a chance to use Greenway Transit's software program that calculates the estimated footprint reduction by riding in a biodiesel bus. The company is working with the Forest Foundation and Carolina Biodiesel to develop a franchise model for value-adding waste vegetable oil into green transportation for university and college towns across the country.
Southeastern Louisiana U to Use Biodiesel in Campus Vehicles
Southeastern Louisiana University Physical Plant Services has installed a tank on campus to collect used and unwanted cooking oil from the campus community. The oil will be used to produce biodiesel to fuel off-road campus vehicles and equipment.
U Rhode Island Starts to 'Green' Ocean Research Fleet
The University of Rhode Island’s research ocean vessel, the Endeavor, has started using refined biofuel. To fuel its trek around the globe, the vessel recently filled up with a mix of recycled oil from fast food restaurants and regular diesel.
Austin CC Installs Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Austin Community College (TX) has installed 18 electric car charging stations available to the campus community and the public as part of the ChargePoint America program. At $2 per hour-long charge, the college hopes the stations will help create a support network for environmentally friendly vehicles.
Portland State U Wins $3.5 M for Sustainable Transport Research
Portland State University (OR) has received $3.5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for sustainable transportation research and education. One of 63 applicants for 22 grants, the university will focus on research and education programs that improve health and safety for all users; increase the efficiency and understanding of cycling, walking and transit; make the best use of data, performance measures and analytical tools; integrate multimodal transportation with land use; and take long-term action on transportation emissions and climate change.
U Arizona Installs Bike Repair Stations
The University of Arizona has installed two self-serve bicycle repair stations on campus. Users are able to suspend their bikes and make minor adjustments using the 17 tools that are tethered to the unit.
U California Santa Barbara Opens Bike Repair Stations
The University of California, Santa Barbara has announced the installation of four bike repair stations on campus, with two more on the way. The stations, which feature a metal stand designed to suspend a bicycle for repairs and a variety of tools including wrenches, screwdrivers and an air pump, are free to the campus community.
Champlain College, U Vermont Offer Subsidized Car Sharing Program
Champlain College and the University of Vermont have announced a subsidized car sharing membership for full-time students, faculty and staff. Offered through the Campus Area Transportation Management Association and CarShare Vermont, the program's $150 annual membership fee has been underwritten by the two Vermont institutions in an effort to triple the number Champlain College and the University of Vermont members in 2012.
Clemson U Introduces Car Sharing Program
Clemson University (SC) has partnered with car sharing program WeCar to offer four cars to the campus community. Car sharing is encouraged with prime parking spots for those who split the costs of a parking permit and carpool to the university. Other programs in development include a way to post routes online for other commuters to hitch a ride and better parking spots for those driving EPA-approved low-emission vehicles.
U Chicago Adds Electric Vehicles to Campus Fleet
The University of Chicago's (IL) Facilities Services recently added three electric vehicles to its fleet. The first Neighborhood Electric Vehicles on campus, the 100 percent-electric cars will replace two gasoline-powered trucks and a van. The department aims to invest in further green technologies.
McMaster U Makes Canadian List of Top Bicycling Campuses
With 37 percent of students who walk or cycle to campus, Maclean's magazine has named McMaster University (ON) as one of Canada's top five bicycle-friendly schools. The university promotes sustainable travel by focusing on initiatives aimed at reducing single-occupancy vehicle use; promoting sustainable alternatives modes of transportation; and by responding to requests from the campus community for a better cycling environment.
Missouri State U Expands Recycling Efforts with Electric Truck
Missouri State University has purchased an electric utility truck through the university's Student Sustainability Fund to be used in the campus recycling program. The truck is expected to make the program more efficient and allow the university to expand recycling efforts to its off-campus buildings.
Vanderbilt U Debuts Car Sharing Program
Vanderbilt University (TN) has started offering a second car sharing program on campus. Enterprise's WeCar program will now be offered with the current Zipcar program. Students, faculty and staff will have the ability to enroll in both programs.
Drexel U Introduces Car Sharing Program
Drexel University (PA) has partnered with Zipcar, Inc. to launch a campus car sharing program for students, faculty and staff. The university will initially offer eight Zipcars.
Georgia Tech Launches Bike Share Program
Georgia Institute of Technology has partnered with ViaCycle to launch a new bike sharing program. The program will allow students, faculty and staff to purchase short-term bike rentals using their cell phones. Five drop-off locations have been installed across campus.
Grand Valley State U Plans Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Grand Valley State University (MI) has announced plans to install five dual and two single electric vehicle charging stations. The stations will be provided by Chargepoint America, a regional effort led by the West Michigan Strategic Alliance and West Michigan Energy.
Santa Clara U Announces New Rideshare Social Network
Santa Clara University (CA) has announced a partnership with Zimride to connect drivers in the campus community with riders looking to carpool to class or work. Zimride is a social network that interfaces with Facebook, allowing students, faculty and staff to share commutes or one-time road trips. The university hopes the service will help reduce campus traffic, parking difficulties and provide cost savings to the campus community.
U Illinois Chicago Debuts Online Campus Ride-Matching Service
With the goal of reducing the amount of solo campus commuters by 30 percent, the University of Illinois at Chicago's Office of Sustainability and Commuter Student Resource Center have partnered with iCarpool. The online ride-matching service helps connect students and employees who drive a similar daily route to campus, or find others to share the costs of a longer trip.
Duke U Acquires 2 New Hybrid Buses
Duke University (NC) has purchased two new hybrid-electric buses to join its transit fleet. Ridership capacity will increase by 30 passengers for each bus.
U Delaware Powers Buses with Biodiesel
The University of Delaware has begun using biodiesel produced by undergraduate engineering students to power its bus fleet. The project was inspired by the donation of a biodiesel processor capable of recycling 130 to 150 gallons of used cooking oil per batch to produce 100 gallons of fuel. Students currently process one partial batch per week, producing 42 gallons of fuel.
U Minnesota Encourages Bike Commuting with New Technology
The University of Minnesota has installed Dero ZAP, a solar-powered, automated radio frequency identification (RFID) system to help manage, monitor and encourage bike commuting. Registered campus participants receive a unique RFID tag for their bicycle, which makes them eligible for commuting incentives and rewards.
U Oregon Student Union to Include Full-Service Bike Center
The University of Oregon has announced that the $160 million renovation of its Erb Memorial Student Union will include a 5,000-square-foot Bike Center. The project, modeled after Portland State University's Bike Hub, will include retail and repair services, secure bike parking, showers and locker space. Additionally, the bike program budget will increase from $26,000 a year to $100,000 a year.
League of American Bicyclists Names 6 New Bike Friendly Campuses
Announced during the AASHE 2011 conference in Pittsburgh, the League of American Bicyclists has designated six new institutions as bicycle friendly. With 26 institutions in the U.S. to date, the Bicycle Friendly University program recognizes campuses that offer a strong on-campus bicycle culture, a growing bicycle infrastructure, and cooperation with nearby towns and cities, among other criteria. The new bike friendly institutions include Chatham University (PA), George Mason University (VA), Ohio State University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of North Carolina Wilmington and University of Vermont.
Purdue U Introduces Car Sharing Program
Purdue University (IN) has introduced a new car sharing program on campus through a partnership with Zipcar, Inc. Six cars, including hybrids, will be available to students, faculty and staff for an annual fee of $25 per person.
Salem State U Partners with City for Bike Share
Salem State University (MA) has partnered with the City of Salem to establish a bike share program. Twenty bikes will be available for public use free of charge, 10 of them downtown and 10 on campus. The university hopes the new program not only provides an alternative transportation option but also helps connect the campus community with the downtown.
U Cincinnati Launches Car Sharing Program
The University of Cincinnati (OH) has partnered with Zipcar, Inc. to launch a campus car sharing program for students, faculty and staff. Zipcars can be reserved via telephone, online and on smartphones.
