Cornell U to Compete in Green Grand Prix
Cornell University (NY) will compete in the 7th Annual Green Grand Prix this month, which will take place at Watkins Glen International racing facility in New York. The university has submitted its diesel hybrid dubbed "Redshift." Entries can include diesel and traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid models, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen fuel cell cars and vehicles running on biodiesel, flex-fuel and pure electric.
Rice U Expands Campus Bike Initiatives
With funding from the Rice Endowment for Sustainable Energy and Technology, the Office of Sustainability and a student initiative grant program, Rice University (TX) has expanded its campus bicycle program to include bike sharing, bike reps and a repair shop. Students worked with the Rice Police Department to refurbish abandoned bikes for the bike sharing initiative. The new bike reps will function like campus eco-reps with a focus on bikes. Their duties will include identifying and reporting abandoned bikes, sharing information about campus bike rules and policies with the campus community, and providing minor bicycle repairs and maintenance.
Rochester Inst to Develop Natural Gas Engines for Hybrid Vehicles
Faculty at Rochester Institute of Technology (NY) have received a $100,000 grant from the California Energy Commission to develop a natural gas-fueled engine for hybrid electric vehicles. The new engine, which is estimated to save five million tons of carbon dioxide from the air per year if 5 percent of California drivers converted to it, can also be used for electric generators and agricultural uses like power for irrigation pumps.
Seattle Pacific U Solar Power Offsets Electric Vehicle Energy Use
The 18 solar panels at Seattle Pacific University (WA) are producing enough energy to power the university’s fleet of electric vehicles. They began producing electricity in the spring quarter of 2010. At their best, with perfect sunshine, they generate four kilowatts per hour. Their daily average energy production is the equivalent to the daily energy consumed by the campus’ electric vehicles.
U Alaska Fairbanks Installs Smart Cold Weather Vehicle Cords
The University of Alaska, Fairbanks is installing 100 new energy-efficient power cords that are used to plug into cars to keep engine fluids from freezing during the winter months. Typical cords draw energy constantly while plugged in, while the new cords draw electricity only when the engine coolant temperature drops near freezing temperatures. The power-saving cords have been installed on 31 campus vehicles and remaining cords are being installed on vehicles owned by students, faculty and staff members who volunteered.
U Alaska Fairbanks Offers New Bicycle Sharing Program
The University of Alaska, Fairbanks’ Office of Sustainability has recently approved a new bicycle rental program on campus. It will be funded by $10,000 from a sustainability fee that students pay each semester. Long-term and short-term rentals will be available beginning in April. They will begin the program with a stable of 20 new Kona bicycles and nearly 100 used and donated bicycles.
U Missouri-Kansas City Launches Student Bus Pass Program
Students at the University of Missouri-Kansas City have approved a student fee that will provide every student with an annual pass for city bus services. The university partnered with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to provide the all-access transit pass, beginning in fall 2011. Students will be assessed a $14 fee per semester to fund the universal pass.
Western Michigan U Opens Electric Car Charging Stations
Western Michigan University has unveiled four electric car charging stations on its main campus that it received at no cost from manufacturer Coulomb Technologies through an equipment grant from the company's ChargePoint America program. The program is part of a federal government demonstration project to encourage the adoption of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. The university, which has two electric and 50 hybrid-electric vehicles in its campus fleet, will offer the chargers for free initially, as much of the expected energy use will be offset by its existing campus wind turbine and solar array. The university will consider charging in the future if usage is more than expected.
Arizona State U Surveys Campus for Sustainable Transport Ideas
The Parking and Transit Services department at Arizona State University is conducting an extensive transportation survey among its students and staff to find sustainable solutions for reducing overall carbon emissions. The survey is mandated by Maricopa County, but it has led to significant student conceptualized ideas in previous years, including intercampus shuttles, the U-Pass program that provides reduced fares for light rail and bus tickets, and reserved carpool parking spots.
Kent State U Expands Bike Share Program
After a successful launch in the fall, Kent State University (OH) is expanding its bike share program. Flashfleet, which registered 1,081 users for a total of 4,467 checkouts in the fall, now includes a new checkout location, an expanded bike selection, and additional hours of operation and student staff members to assist with maintenance repairs.
Middlebury College Students Initiate Car Share Program
The Environmental Council at Middlebury College (VT) is working to implement a student-led proposal to offer the car share program, Zimride. The group proposed this idea to the student government last month and it has been accepted. The program will cost the college between $17,000 and $19,000. Along with the additional transportation options the program will provide, it will also help the college reduce its overall carbon emissions.
Syracuse U, SUNY College Partner for Ride Share Program
Syracuse University (NY) and the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and Forestry are collaborating to provide students and faculty with a ride share program at no cost. With the online RideShare program, staff and students at both institutions can coordinate carpools. Syracuse is using this program in conjunction with other alternative transportation companies, such as Zipcar. The partnership between the two institutions will reduce single-occupant vehicles and positively contributed to each institution’s Climate Action Plan.
First-Ever Bicycle Friendly Campus Designations Announced
The League of American Bicyclists has announced the first institutions to receive its Bicycle Friendly University designation. The program recognizes colleges and universities that create environments where bicycling can thrive and provides a roadmap and technical assistance to create great campuses for bicycling. For its breadth of programs, including a cycling network, education programs like the Bike Safety Dorm Challenge, bicycling incentive programs and 21.7 percent of bike commuters, Stanford University (CA) received the only platinum-level award. Twenty of the 32 institutions who applied received designations including the University of California, Santa Barbara; University of California, Davis; University of Minnesota; and Emory University (GA).
Virginia Tech Encouraging Green Commuters
By 2015, Virginia Tech hopes to have half of its workplace committed to green commuting. The institution's alternative commuting program focuses on incentives for biking to campus including ample bike parking, and works with local transit companies to provide free passes at certain times of the day.
Alabama A&M U Tests Biodiesel for Campus Transportation
Alabama A&M University’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences is experimenting with turning cooking oil into biodiesel. The Toyota engine plant in Huntsville, Ala. is donating the oil to the university. The university plans to run campus buses and agriculture equipment with biodiesel fuel in the future.
Arkansas State U Grows Electric Vehicle Campus Fleet
Arkansas State University first implemented its electric golf carts on campus 11 years ago. Now the campus has 16 more electric vehicles including cars, Segways and cargo trucks. The vehicles are predominantly used by Facilities Management personnel, but they lease the vehicles out to different departments as requested.
Cornell U Starts Bike Share Program
Cornell University (NY) is gearing up for its Big Red Bikes program, a bike share program that will begin with 20 bikes based at one station. It was made possible by the efforts of the Big Red Bikes student group that began in 2008 in the Cornell Sustainability Hub. After spearheading a petition signed by 1,000 students, the Undergraduate Student Assembly granted the group funding for the initial two years of the project, amounting to $1 from every student’s activities fee.
U Maryland Installs Electric Car Charging Stations
The University of Maryland’s Department of Transportation Services has installed five electric car charging stations, with five more planned on the university’s campus. Each station can recharge two cars simultaneously for four to eight hours. The university hopes that the stations will encourage people to move toward electric cars. The electric charging stations cost $31,500 total.
Texas A&M U at Qatar Students to Compete in Shell Eco-Marathon
College of Engineering students at Texas A&M University at Qatar are set to compete in this year's Shell Eco-Marathon. Since 1985, the global competition has challenged student teams to design and build fuel-efficient cars. The 2011 European edition will be held at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz track in Germany from May 26-28, 2011. Vehicles can use various fuels and energy sources including gas-to-liquids, petrol, biofuels, hydrogen and solar. Two teams at the university will compete in the Urban Concept category, one team with gas-to-liquids fuel and the other with a vehicle powered by petrol.
U Adelaide Provides Bike Commuting Support to Staff, Students
The University of Adelaide (Australia) recently implemented the Ecorider program, an 11-week behavior change effort to increase cycling trips to campus, improve fitness, save money, and reduce traffic congestion and campus emissions. The program provided 20 student and staff members with support in becoming regular commuting cyclists to campus with individual email communication and feedback, group training sessions and a communal blog. Improvement was measured through reported cycling trip data and monthly fitness testing. The Ecoriders completed 803 trips to the university in total and saved 25,890 minutes and $4,000 in transportation time and money.
Zipcar Grows Network of Campus Car Share Programs
With its latest partnerships with the University of Texas at Austin, Michigan State University, the University of Richmond (VA), Christopher Newport University (VA), Hampshire College (MA), Seton Hall University (NJ), Meredith College (NC) and North Carolina State University, Zipcar, Inc. has a presence on more than 225 college campuses. The car sharing program allows students, faculty and staff to rent a car only when they need it, providing a cost-effective alternative to car ownership. Within this network of campus programs, 1.7 million students, faculty and staff are now within a short walk of a Zipcar.
U Wisconsin Eau Claire Increases Bus Ridership
A recent survey of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus shows that transit bus riding has increased 19 percent over the past five years. Students and faculty may ride the city bus for free if they have their campus ID. An additional bus route has contributed to the increase, but campus construction and increased prices for a parking pass are also factors that affected the increase.
Washington State U Conducts Commuter Survey
Washington State University's Environmental Health and Safety Department is in the last stages of a commuter survey conducted to develop models to better estimate reductions in campus carbon emissions. In its first attempt to understand greenhouse gas emissions as they relate to campus commuting practices, the university emailed the survey to faculty, staff and students statewide.
Air-Purifying Asphalt? A Louisiana State U Professor Says So
A Louisiana State University industrial engineering assistant professor has teamed up with PURETI Inc, a U.S.-based manufacturer to announce the first evaluation of air-purifying asphalt and concrete. Photo catalytic pavement uses light and titanium dioxide to accelerate decomposition of organic matter. A field study of this new technology is underway near the university's campus. The year-long study will measure air quality and groundwater runoff. Dr. Hassan will present her findings at the Transportation Research Board’s Annual Conference in Washington DC. She says that this will be “the first photo catalytic pavement in the U.S. capable of purifying outdoor air...from traffic emissions.”
Alternate Transportation at Portland State U Becoming the Norm
A recent survey of Portland State University’s (OR) staff and student population revealed that 75 percent commute to campus without a car. The survey shows that bus, light rail and streetcars are the dominant forms of transportation to the campus. With a new bicycle track that runs through campus, however, biking is the mode of transportation that is growing the fastest. The inclusion of 2,000 bike parking spots and a bicycle repair shop on campus has helped increase the popularity of biking to campus. The electronic survey was completed by 960 employees and 1,109 students.
Culinary Institute of America Goes Biodiesel
The Culinary Institute of America’s Greystone campus in California is turning waste vegetable oil into biodiesel to fuel its campus shuttles. Oil from multiple oil fryers in campus kitchen classrooms is being converted to fuel using a BioPro biodiesel processor. This processor is expected to pay for itself within a year. By switching from diesel, the institute saves $64 a tank in the two shuttle vans outfitted to run on biodiesel.
U Toledo Installs Electric Vehicle Charge Stations
The University of Toledo (OH) has installed three electric vehicle chargers. The charge stations use technology that debuted last year including General Electric Co.’s smart meters and Juice Technologies’ Plug Smart engine. The university's decision to implement charging stations is in anticipation of the university community's purchase of electric vehicles as electric cars gain traction with national automakers.
North Carolina State U, Meredith College Partner with Zipcar
North Carolina State University and Meredith College (NC) have partnered with Zipcar, Inc. to provide both campuses with the car sharing service. The alternative transportation option will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to faculty, staff and students at both campuses for $8 per hour and $66 per day with a $35 annual membership fee. Four Zipcars will be located on the North Carolina State University campus and two cars available on the Meredith College campus. Members of either campus will have access to cars at both locations.
Oklahoma State U Transportation Converts Buses to Natural Gas
With money from a federal grant, the Department of Parking and Transit Services at Oklahoma State University recently converted 18 buses to run on compressed natural gas. A natural gas station recently opened near campus and the university plans to convert more vehicles to natural gas in the future.
Luther College Partners with U Car Share
Luther College (IA) has partnered with U Car Share to provide two campus vehicles available to students, faculty and staff at an hourly rental rate. The cars will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be reserved online.
U Colorado Boulder Adds 400 Bike Spots
To keep encouraging students to go car-less on campus, the University of Colorado at Boulder has added 400 bike spaces in prime campus areas. About 75 percent of students, faculty and staff get to the campus by some means of alternative transportation and university officials noticed bikes chained to nearby trees and handicap-accessible rails due to the parking crunch. The university has added 1,664 bike parking spots over the last three years.
U Colorado Boulder Sees 20% Drop in Freshman Parking Permits
The University of Colorado at Boulder has seen a 20 percent drop in the amount of freshman buying parking permits since the last school year. Of the 5,215 in this year's freshman class, 852 purchased parking permits. In 2005, the number was more than 1,400. To help meet its goal of reducing petroleum use on campus by 25 percent by 2012, the university encourages students who tour the campus to not bring cars their freshman year. University recruiters instead educate prospective students about the alternative options to driving to campus. Currently, student fees pay for bus passes, mobile mechanics will help service students' bikes, and the university provides free bike rentals and a Zimride carpool matching service.
U Chicago Expands Online Outreach for Bike Share Program
In celebration of the first anniversary of its Bike Share program, recycles, the University of Chicago is expanding the program's online outreach. The free program offers one-day bike rentals to the campus community with nearly 1,000 registered users and about 100 rentals per week. In response to feedback from users, a bicycle mechanic was recently hired to maintain the bikes and a new website launched where users can register and view available bikes online. The program's refurbished bicycles are purchased from a local nonprofit organization, Blackstone Bicycle Works, which also sponsors local youth programs.
U Massachusetts Medical School Adds More Carpool Parking Spots
Due to the growing popularity of its carpool program, the University of Massachusetts Medical School will add 20 more parking spaces for the exclusive use of carpoolers. With nearly 400 carpoolers and growing, the university now has a waiting list for its carpool tags.
U Missouri-Kansas City Purchases All-Electric Truck
The University of Missouri-Kansas City has unveiled its first all-electric cargo truck. The new addition to its transportation fleet will be used primarily to service the university's recycling programs. The truck was purchased with a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Initiative.
U Oregon to Promote Year-Round Biking with Globe Bicycles Grant
The University of Oregon's Bike Program has been awarded a grant from Globe Bicycles to help promote year-round bicycle commuting among its campus community. The university has received 14 new weather-friendly cargo bikes equipped with fenders, built-in lights and cargo racks capable of holding up to 90 pounds. The university plans to kick off its short-term bicycle loan program on January 12 with a "Ride in the Rain, A Celebration of Wet Weather Bike Transportation" campus event featuring free bike repair and a rain gear fashion show. For $10 a day, short-term loan bikes are designed to be immediately available to the campus community for short-term needs. This is in contrast to its existing long-term bicycle loan program, the university's Bike Program Coordinator Ted Sweeney tells AASHE Bulletin, which charges $12 per term with a $65 deposit and a waiting list checkout process to reserve them.
Louisiana State U Installs Pollution-Cleaning Pavement
Louisiana State University has installed air-purifying asphalt and concrete photo catalytic pavements on campus. The pavement cover will absorb pollution including nitrogen oxides released by traffic or those already in the air. Prior to the installation, a university professor evaluated the technology in the laboratory through funding from the Louisiana Transportation Research Center and the National Science Foundation. The university will monitor the half mile of pathways to determine the rate of reduction in pollution levels over time. The field study, in partnership with Pureti Inc., is funded through the Gulf Coast Research Center for Evacuation and Transportation Resiliency.
U Arizona Launches Bike and Pedestrian Study
The University of Arizona has launched a bike and pedestrian study aimed at reducing crashes and increasing the number of people biking and walking to campus. The university's Parking and Transportation department is working with students and the Pima Association of Governments to discover who bikes and walks and why, and what their safety concerns are. Once the study is conducted, the university will develop a plan to implement improvements to bike and pedestrian infrastructure and education on campus.
U South Florida Launches New Carpooling Program
The University of South Florida has announced a partnership with Zimride to connect drivers in the campus community with riders looking to carpool to class or work. Zimride allows users to post when and where they’d like to go and create personal profiles with favorite music, radio stations and smoking preferences to ensure the most enjoyable ride possible. Carpooling requests are sent to university Zimride members and can also be posted on individual Facebook pages. The program debuted in October and the university currently has 750 members.
U Winnipeg Announces New Cycling Services for Campus
In partnership with the Students’ Association, the University of Winnipeg (MB) has announced the planned construction of a new campus cycling hub. The Bike Lab will be a cycling education and advocacy facility that will offer free year-round advice to students, staff, faculty and community member. Programs will include bike maintenance, safety workshops, advocacy and networking workshops, a registry and individualized support plan for all campus bikes. The project received a private donation from an alumnus and a $50,000 capital donation from the university.
U Buffalo Debuts Metro Pass Discount Pilot Program
The University at Buffalo (NY) has launched a pilot program with Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority that will allow students, faculty and staff to purchase metro rail passes at a discounted rate. Student rail-only passes will be available for $10 per semester, and faculty and staff passes for $30 per year. The university expects the lowered prices to decrease traffic and help reduce the university’s carbon footprint.
U California Berkeley Opens Bike Maintenance Hub
The University of California, Berkeley has opened a new bicycle maintenance education center. BicyCAL members will offer free repairs and do-it-yourself information to the campus community. The program hopes the education provided will enable students to become excited about bike transportation. The center was funded by a $12,000 Green Initiative Fund grant. BicyCAL now hopes to create a bike sharing program.
American U Starts Commuter Bike Benefit
American University (DC) has begun giving incentives to bike commuters. The monthly incentive comes as a $20 Commuter Check for Bicycling voucher valid for bicycling gear and services at participating bicycle shops nationwide. The vouchers can be spent each month or accumulated for up to a year and placed toward a larger purchase. Starting this month, bike commuters can request a January 2011 voucher through PayFlex at www.healthhub.com. In accordance with the federal legislation that makes this tax free program available, this benefit is available only to commuters who are not enrolled in any other transit or parking benefit.
Georgetown U Launches Bike Share Program
Georgetown University (DC) has installed three bike share docking stations near the university’s main campus. Bike share members can rent the bicycles for an annual or monthly fee. Day passes are also available. The District’s Department of Transportation and Arlington County in Virginia launched Capital Bikeshare earlier this fall to help decrease car emissions and increase healthy activity. The university has partnered on the effort as part of its overall sustainability goals.
Marquette U, Michigan State U Partner with Zipcar
In separate deals, Marquette University (WI) and Michigan State University have partnered with Zipcar, Inc. to provide faculty, staff and students with a car sharing service. Two vehicles will be made available to the Marquette University campus community and six vehicles to the Michigan State University community. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will cost members at both universities $8 per hour or $66 per day. Goals at both universities include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, ease of traffic congestion and lowered barriers to alternative transportation.
Rice U Studies Surrey Bikes as Alternative to Electric Golf Carts
As part of an environmental impact study in Rice University's (TX) "Rice into the Future" class, students are assessing the surrey-style bike as a zero-emission alternative to the electric golf carts used on campus. The four-wheeled, dual-pedaled vehicle will be on campus until Thanksgiving.
Tufts U Creates Bike Share Program
Tufts University (MA) has announced the creation of a bike sharing program on campus. Tufts Bikes will purchase a fleet of bicycles and give members of the community the ability to check out the bicycles free of charge. The program will also create a bicycle repair space on campus to maintain the bike share’s fleet, sponsor group rides and teach bicycle maintenance and repair classes, as well as safe city-riding classes.
U California Riverside Creates Incentive for Alt Transportation
The University of California, Riverside has announced that it will raise the Transportation and Parking Services Gold permit fees by 10.7 percent in an effort to maintain incentive levels for taking alternative transportation. The university provides campus shuttles, a vanpool service and the U-PASS program, which allows students to ride for free.
U Connecticut Plans Bike Share Pilot Program
The University of Connecticut has announced plans to launch a bike sharing pilot program. Students, faculty and staff with current university identification will be able to check out one of 20 bicycles. The Undergraduate Student Government purchased the bikes and, if the pilot program is successful, more bicycles will be purchased.
