Dalhousie U Declares an Idle-Free Campus
Dalhousie University (NS) has implemented an idle-free campus policy. The new anti-idling guidelines for vehicles operating on campus ask that passenger-sized vehicles be turned off whenever idling periods are expected to exceed one minute. Larger vehicles are permitted three minutes. Upwards of twenty “Idle-Free” signs will be installed across campus this fall.
U California Los Angeles Releases Bike-U-mentary
The University of California, Los Angeles Sustainable Resource Center has released “UCLA Bike-U-mentary,” a short documentary that profiles real cyclists on their commute to UCLA. The film was released to coincide with Bike-to-Campus-Week activities.
U Regina Launches Bike Rental Program
The University of Regina (SK) has launched a bike rental program to promote environmental sustainability on campus through alternative and affordable transportation. The cost to rent a bike is $2 per hour. The program is available to those who pay a refundable registration fee of $40. The University hopes the bike rentals will reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
Southern Illinois U Edwardsville Launches Bike Share Program
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville has launched a bike share program. The project aims to encourage a culture shift in students, faculty, and staff toward increased reliance on non-carbon modes of transportation. All currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff are eligible to check out a bike.
St Ambrose U Powers Equipment With Biodiesel Fuel
St. Ambrose University (IA) has launched a biodiesel initiative. The grounds crew has begun converting 1,600 gallons of used cooking oil into fuel. The homebrewed biodiesel fuel is used to power machinery that mows lawns and removes snow. The use of biodiesel fuel has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from maintenance equipment by 80 percent. In addition, the University will save between $6,000 and $10,000 in annual fuel costs. A new facility that will allow the grounds crew to produce biodiesel more efficiently will be built next year.
John Carroll U Starts Bike Share Program
John Carroll University (OH) has implemented a new bike share program. Students of the Environmental Issues Group have collected 28 bikes donated by the city. Students will be able to check out bikes free of charge. The Environmental Issues Group hopes to use the bikes for other programs including physical education courses.
Richland College Students Present Commuting Habits
Six Richland College (TX) students have collected data regarding commuting habits amongst their fellow students. 2,600 students participated in the survey. The data collected was presented at the Student Sustainable Transportation Summit. Plans have been developed to reduce emissions from student commuting.
U California San Diego Receives Access to Trolley
San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System Board of Directors has endorsed a trolley extension that would provide direct service to the University of California, San Diego. The new route will provide students with an alternative means of transportation.
U Kentucky Announces Ride Home Express
University of Kentucky has plans to offer an alternative travel option to students and employees beginning in the fall. The Kentucky Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) Ride Home Express will provide transportation to and from hometowns during major academic breaks. The PTS Ride Home Express will serve 29 cities along eight routes. Riders will be able to reserve a seat on one of the Ride Home Express buses via the Web, by telephone, or in person. Fares for the service will range from $39-$129, with prices varying based on the final destination.
California State U Northridge Builds Safe Place for Bikes
California State University, Northridge has partnered with the local police department to unveil a bicycle complex. The new Matador Bicycle Compound located in a parking structure is secure and fully-enclosed by fences. To access the bike compound, students must pay a one-time $7 administration fee. There are 20 to 25 available spaces. By providing a safe place to park, the University hopes it will encourage students to commute by bicycle. If successful, the University will build more parking structures.
Delta College Continues Green Fridays
Delta College (MI) has announced that the institution will be closed on Fridays during the summer. Green Fridays, first piloted in 2008, is a campus sustainability initiative to reduce the College’s carbon footprint. Campus operating hours will be extended Monday through Thursday.
Prescott College Launches Bicycle Safety Campaign
The Prescott College (AZ) Bicycle Ambassadors have started a campaign to improve the bicycling environment around campus. The campaign, Prescott College Bicycle Solutions, is a campaign and program to transform the college campus and surrounding area into a safer environment for cyclist and pedestrians. The Bicycle Ambassadors created a list of goals in various phases starting with a comprehensive street and intersection improvement plan and improved bike parking facilities.
U Cincinnati Starts New Bike Share Program
University of Cincinnati (OH) has unveiled the Bearcat Bike Share program. The new pilot program includes 30 bicycles that students, staff, and faculty are allowed to check out for use on or off campus. Upkeep and repair of the loaner bikes will be conducted by university engineering students. The University will also hold bicycle repair and safety workshops to encourage students to take advantage of the new program. The pilot program will initially last for six months.
Wake Forest U Announces iPhone App for Campus Shuttle
Three Wake Forest University (NC) students have teamed up with their computer science professor to create an iPhone application that tracks the campus shuttle location. The shuttle location is updated every five seconds so students, faculty and staff know when the bus is approaching the stop.
Assumption College, Lewis & Clark College Adopt Car-Share Prgms
Assumption College (MA) and Lewis and Clark College (OR) have each partnered with U Car Share to offer an alternative to car-ownership on campus. Anyone 18 years or older with at least two years of driving experience may qualify to become a member and can then access any car in the country on the U Car Share network. At both campuses, for a limited time, membership is free for all students, faculty, and staff.
Illinois State U Makes Biodiesel to Fuel Campus Vehicles
Illinois State University has begun a program to convert waste fryer oil from Campus Dining Services’ residential dining centers into fuel for use in campus fleet vehicles. A 50-gallon batch of biodiesel, produced by a team of Illinois State University undergraduate students, is currently being tested in the University’s “Big Blue” recycling truck. Fleet Operations personnel will soon begin using the fuel in other diesel powered vehicles.
Washington State U Creates Biodiesel Fuel for Campus Machinery
The Washington State University Biodiesel Club has begun collecting used cooking oil each week from local restaurants and dining halls to create biodiesel. Their aim is to sell the fuel to the University’s motor pool in large enough quantities to operate WSU machinery. The group hopes to produce 300 gallons of biodiesel each week.
Franklin College Converts Fryer Oil to Biodiesel
A group of Franklin College (IN) students, faculty, and staff have converted a gallon of used fryer oil from the campus cafeteria into biodiesel fuel and successfully powered a college-owned tractor on campus. The idea for the project, sparked by the winter term class "Going Green Matters," came from two freshmen students. Students are now refining the process they implemented, trying to find the most efficient technique possible. Business students are also working on calculating the cost of savings from recycling and converting the college's used cooking oil.
U Albany Partners with Local Bus Service, Car-Share Program
The University at Albany has partnered with a local bus company to offer students, faculty, and staff more options for eco-friendly traveling around campus and in the community. Capital District Transportation Authority buses will be available to ride for free with a single swipe of a SUNY card by members of the university community. In related news, UAlbany has also launched a new car-share program. Connect by Hertz will give faculty, staff, and students access to four fuel-efficient rental vehicles.
Chatham U Employees Now Eligible for Bicycle Benefits
As part of its effort to promote sustainable practices and healthy living, Chatham University (PA) will now offer full-time employees the opportunity to receive a bicycle commuter benefit. Included as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, this benefit will reimburse full-time employees who commute to work by bicycle for reasonable expenses up to $20 a month. The reimbursements will be excludable from an employee’s gross income and not subject to federal income tax. According to IRS guidelines, employees who sign up for this benefit will not be permitted to have a campus parking permit as they are required to certify that cycling is their primary mode of transportation to and from work during the time frame in which they receive the reimbursement.
U Dayton Launches Alternative Transportation Website
Students in a University of Dayton (OH) Politics of Alternative Transportation class have designed "Beyond Brown," a website that offers students an alternative transportation guide to the sights and activities outside of Brown Street, one of the main streets that runs through campus. The sight is expected to launch soon.
U Idaho Installs Bike Racks, Boosts Bike Parking Awareness
The University of Idaho's Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) will install 23 new bike racks on campus. In addition, PTS will place warning tags on bikes parked outside of designated racks with increased enforcement levels on bikes that are impeding access or posing safety concerns.
College of St Benedict, St. John's U to Start Bike-Shares
The College of St. Benedict (MN) and St. John’s University (MN) have announced plans to launch a bike-share program. St. Ben’s will introduce its Green Bike Initiative on April 23 as part of Earth Week. The program, which is still seeking donations for its fleet, will offer half of its bikes for a semester check-out and the other half will be made available for daily use. St. John's is working on a similar program which will replace a program that failed a few years ago.
U Kentucky Bike-Share Expands Fleet
The University of Kentucky Wildcat Wheels bike-share program has expanded its total fleet from 12 to 150 bikes. The program contains four sub-fleets that are designated for certain campus populations. Wildcat Wheels has also begun offering traveling workshops available to residence halls with tutorials on bike maintenance and upkeep.
Syracuse U Increases Green Transportation Use on Campus
Syracuse University (NY) has announced that the number of SU Centro bus passengers has increased 8.4 percent since fiscal year 2008 to more than 2.1 million riders. In addition, SU's addition of three new Zipcars has increased the program's use to an average of 65 percent of the day, including weekends and overnight.
Coastal Carolina U Launches Bike-Share Program
Coastal Carolina University (SC) has launched Coastal Couriers, a new bike-share program. Five bikes have been made available for University members to check-out for a maximum of 30 minutes and then be returned. The University hopes this program will reduce traffic congestion and pollution.
Emory U, Georgia Tech Announce Bike Share Partnership
Emory University (GA), Georgia Institute of Technology, and the Ford Foundation have formed a partnership to develop an automated bike share system for the Emory campus. Over the past year, Bike Emory has been working with Georgia Tech engineering students to develop the automated system. A grant in the amount of $50,000 from the Ford Foundation will support the development and implementation. The first fleet of 11 bicycles will be launched on Emory's campus late this summer.
Loyola U, Tulane U Partner to Offer Car-Sharing on Campuses
Loyola University (LA) and Tulane University (LA) have partnered to bring the car-share program WeCar to their campuses. The universities, which are located next to each other in New Orleans, will offer three new Toyota Priuses to students, faculty, and staff at both institutions. The vehicles will be located in a central location and will help both campuses reduce car congestion and allow student mobility.
Oregon State U Offers Campus Car-Share Program
Oregon State University has partnered with WeCar to bring two hybrid vehicles to campus for students, faculty, and staff to use. The vehicles can be rented hourly, overnight or for a full day, and reservations can be made online at any time.
U Kentucky Offers Car Sharing Service
University of Kentucky Parking and Transportation Services has partnered with Connect by Hertz, a car-share company, to offer short-term vehicle rentals to the campus community. Six EPA SmartWays certified vehicles are now available on campus.
Samford U Begins Bike Loan Program
Samford University (AL) has begun a campus bike rental service through which students can borrow one of 30 bicycles for three days at a time just by showing their student ID. The program began as part of Samford' "100 Grand for Green" initiative, which seeks to save the University $100,000 in utilities costs and improve the environment on campus. Campus officials believe that the program has become an instantaneous success.
Dickinson College Launches Online Rideshare
Dickinson College (PA) has released a Virtual Rideboard, an online site where students can search for and post rides. The site is only accessible to the Dickinson community.
Loyola U Chicago to Pilot Shuttle Service for Faculty and Staff
Loyola University, Chicago (IL) has announced plans to pilot a new shuttle service for faculty and staff members who commute to and from the Rogers Park Metra Station and the Lake Shore Campus. The pilot program will gauge faculty and staff need for low-carbon transportation options between the station and campus using a biodiesel van.
U California Berkeley Commuters Connect Online
University of California, Berkeley has partnered with Zimride, a web-based ride-sharing service, where students can join and link with other commuters in their area to come to campus. Students can post mini-profiles of themselves, including a photo, and also connect to Facebook.
U California Riverside Brings Car-Share Program to Campus
University of California, Riverside has partnered with Zipcar, Inc. to bring four Zipcars to campus. The car-sharing initiative will allow students, faculty, and staff to join the program to be able to use the cars for their needs. The University hopes to reduce air pollution and traffic on campus through the new program.
U California Santa Barbara Receives Bike-Friendly Business Award
The University of California, Santa Barbara has been named a Bicycle Friendly Business Gold Award winner by the League of American Bicyclists. UCSB is among 51 new Bicycle Friendly Businesses announced at the 10th National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C. in early March. According to a statement by the League of American Bicyclists, UCSB serves as an example for best practices and innovations in bicycle friendliness at the workplace. UCSB estimates that 49 percent of students and 9 percent of faculty and staff commute by bicycle. UCSB also features seven miles of Class I bicycle paths, more than 10,000 secure bicycle parking spaces in bicycle racks, 40 secure bicycle lockers, six bicycle roundabouts, and free showers for bicycle commuters.
U Rochester Biodiesel Project Wins National Award
The University of Rochester (NY) has been awarded the "Excellence in Innovations for Sustainability Award" by the Association of College Unions International (ACUI). The national award recognized the University's UR Biodiesel program that converts old fryer oil from dining services into biodiesel. The program produces about 30 gallons of biodiesel a week and uses it in a number of campus vehicles, including a shuttle.
Central Florida U Debuts Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
Central Florida University has partnered with Ford Motor Company and Progressive Energy to host the state's first Ford Escape plug-in hybrid electric vehicle on its campus. The University's Smart Solar Plug-in Research Facility includes parking spaces for four electric-powered vehicles where solar panels above the spaces can recharge vehicles. The vehicle can achieve up to 120 miles per gallon and will be tested in Florida.
Emory U Adopts Idling Reducing Policy
Emory University (GA) has partnered with the Clean Air Campaign to adopt its first Idling Reduction Policy. The policy will restrict idling in situations such as deliveries and will ensure that cars are turned off when parked. The University hopes the new initiative will help to reduce air pollution on campus and in the surrounding community.
SUNY Binghamton Brings Car-Share Program to Campus
State University of New York, Binghamton students, faculty, and staff now have two new cars available for use on campus through a new car-share program. The program, Connect by Hertz, allows members to use these vehicles for a predetermined fee. The University hopes the car-share program will help to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
Washington State U Students Make Biodiesel
Washington State University mechanical engineering students have formed the Biodiesel Club. The students involved have created a business that purchases used cooking oil from the University's dining services, converts it to biodiesel, and sells it to the school's motor pull to be used by the Facilities Management's front end loader. The same students also created Engineers for a Sustainable World, a student club that works to promote biodiesel.
North Carolina State U Starts Bike-Share Program
North Carolina State University has announced plans to begin a bike-share program on campus. The WolfWheels bike-share program, which will have a fleet of 20-25 bicycles, will allow students to rent a bike, helmet, and lock for the day or weekend for $2 to $3. Depending on the success of the program, NCSU may offer a semester-long rental option in the future. The program is expected to launch in late March.
U Alberta Starts Car-Share Program
The University of Alberta has begun a car-sharing program with Hertz. The "Connect with Hertz" program offers students, faculty, and staff an alternative to bringing their car to campus and will help reduce both traffic congestion and air pollution.
U Central Oklahoma Starts Car-Share Program
The University of Central Oklahoma has started a car-share program for students, faculty, and staff. The program aims to reduce campus traffic congestion, offer mobility to commuters, and reduce pollution. The program offers four 2010 vehicles: a Toyota Prius, Ford Escape, Mazda 3, and Toyota Camry. The program is in partnership with Hertz and is called "Connect by Hertz."
Agnes Scott College Prohibits Idling
Agnes Scott College (GA) has announced a new policy that prohibits trucks and service vehicles on campus to turn off their engines while making deliveries. “No Idle Zone” signs will be placed in the three areas where service and delivery vehicles frequently operate while on campus. The new policy excludes safety and emergency vehicles, electric vehicles, and trailer engines used solely to control freight temperatures. The “No Idle” policy was created to reduce wasted fuel; improve air quality on campus and in the region; and to protect campus workers, students, and visitors from potentially harmful emissions.
U Alaska Fairbanks Police ATVs Converted to Electric
At University of Alaska, Fairbanks, two ATVs used by campus police for patrolling have been converted from running on gasoline to electricity. A mechanical engineering class that teaches students how to convert cars to electric power carried out the project of transforming the two ATVs. While they may be slightly less powerful than the gasoline-powered ATVs, the new electric engine will provide campus police with what they need. They will be able to travel up to 30 miles at 20 mph.
Washington U in St. Louis Announces Carpool Incentive Program
Employees on the Danforth, North, and West Washington in St. Louis (MO) campuses now have access to a carpool incentive program. Through the "Bearly Drivers" program, full-time employees can save money, get access to priority parking, and win prizes. Carpool participants will receive two free daily yellow parking permits each month via campus mail to use when their schedules might make carpooling difficult. In addition, all carpoolers will be automatically enrolled in the Guaranteed Ride Home Program, a service that reimburses members the price of a taxi home in case of an emergency or for unscheduled overtime.
Georgia Institute of Technology Buses Use Biodiesel
Georgia Institute of Technology has signed a 10-year contract with a transportation provider that will bring new buses and trolleys to campus. The new vehicles will be using a B20 mixture of biodiesel fuel, which will be made out of cooking oil from the school's dining services.
5 Campuses Announce New Ride-Sharing Programs
The University of California, Irvine; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco (CA); University of Maryland; and George Mason University (VA) have launched an integrated car and ride sharing application on their campuses. The integrated Zipcar-Zimride application allows members to share a ride by posting the date, time, and destination of the trip to the Zimride campus community. Once posted, Zimride's route algorithm finds and notifies users looking for a ride to the same or nearby destination. Zimride members also may find and share a local Zipcar if a posted ride is not available or does not exist. The campuses hope to reduce congestion, parking demand, and CO2 emissions while at the same time providing a cost-saving and convenient alternative to car ownership for faculty, staff, and students.
