Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 73.80
Liaison Pamela Mischen
Submission Date March 2, 2023

STARS v2.2

Binghamton University
OP-17: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Tanya Husick
Executive Director of Transportation and Parking Services
TAPS
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
The University has an on-campus bikeshare with 30 bikes located across campus. Our bikeshare program aims to help to reduce carbon emissions, alleviate traffic congestion and promote a healthy, active lifestyle. Bike maintenance assistance is also provided by this student organization.


https://www.binghamton.edu/services/transportation-and-parking/alternative-transportation/bike-share/

Does the institution participate in a car sharing program?:
No

None
A brief description of the car sharing program:
Zipcar suspended service during Covid and has not yet returned to campus.

Does the institution offer preferential parking or other incentives for fuel efficient vehicles?:
Yes

A brief description of the incentives for fuel efficient vehicles:
Parking Services also has reserved parking for fuel efficient vehicles at the Innovative Technology Building.

The University provides the opportunity for free fueling for students, faculty, and staff commuting in electric vehicles.

Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
Charging Stations. Level 2 Electric vehicle charging stations are located in the parking garage which is accessible to student and employee commuters and at the ITC building. There is no charge for fueling.

Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:
Local bus service to major student housing area in downtown. We provide a local service (OCCT) that runs to the westside and other local areas.

Free Bus Use. We consider the usage of the local bus system at no cost to the employee as strategy to encourage employees to live close to the campus. The usage of the bus system is free to them (with a valid Binghamton University ID).

Does the institution have other programs or initiatives to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and/or reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
Yes

A brief description of other programs or initiatives to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and/or reduce the impact of student and employee commuting:
Carpooling Platform - In an effort to decrease the number of trips taken to and from campus, Binghamton University has a partnership with 511NY Rideshare, a free carpooling match database for students, faculty and staff.

Incentives - TAPS also offers incentives to encourage carpooling. Students, faculty and staff who purchase a permit are eligible to participate in a program that provides preferential parking for carpoolers. During Information Booth hours of operation, when a vehicle with at least three total occupants stops at the Information Booth, the driver will receive access to the Visitor's Paid Lot and Parking Garage. In addition, commuter students who purchase a pass for $140.55 are also eligible to carpool and accumulate times participated towards money back on the driver's purchased permit.

Bike Plan - Physical Facilities and TAPS has worked with the Bike Pedestrian Committee to develop a physical infrastructure plan that lays out the desired location of new bike lanes and facilities. This plan will be used as a basis for consideration of new infrastructure.

Propane buses - TAPS has continued to add propane buses to the OCCT fleet. These buses use liquid propane fuel instead of diesel. Propane fueled buses emit less carbon deposits, run smoother and are more dependable.

Sustainable Parking Lot- Binghamton University has a parking lot that was designed and constructed with a variety of sustainability measures. A stormwater management system was put into place, LED lights with dimmers and motion detectors are being used, trees were planted to mitigate sunlight and create shaded space and a large wetland area was constructed at the North end of the parking lot.

The University has participated in the development of the Route 434 Greenway/Bike Trail. The trail is designed to make the commute between Binghamton University and Downtown Binghamton more accessible for students and community members. If constructed along state route 434 between Vestal and Binghamton,the Greenway project would facilitate a local transportation ecosystem friendlier for pedestrians and cyclists. The Greenway is an essential component of New York State's ambition to serve as a national model for sustainable transportation.

In order to improve sustainable transportation options, the campus is a member of three professional organizations associated with the provision of multimodal transportation: the International Parking and Mobility Institute (IPMI), the Campus Parking and Transportation Association (CPTA) and the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT). Binghamton University participates in these organizations in order to promote multimodal transportation and to develop environmentally friendly transportation options on campus.

Optional Fields 

Website URL where information about the institution’s support for sustainable transportation is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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