| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 52.28 |
| Liaison | Stephen Ellis |
| Submission Date | Nov. 25, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Boston University
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Dennis
Carlberg Associate Vice President for Sustainability BU Sustainability |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
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Does the institution provide secure bicycle storage (not including office space), shower facilities, and lockers for bicycle commuters?:
Yes
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A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:
Boston University has nine indoor bicycle parking facilities. Five are in dorms located on the Charles River Campus at 504 Park Drive, 33 Harry Agganis Way, 25 Buick Street, and 700 Commonwealth Avenue with a total capacity for more than 550 bicycles. The 33 Harry Agganis Way location also provides shower facilities and lockers for cyclists. Three others are situated on the Boston University Medical Campus at 710 Albany St, 840 Harrison Avenue, and 88 East Newton Street. Combined, these cages hold 340 bikes. On BUMC, cyclists can also take advantage of amenities like use of the four available bike pumps in the bike cage and if they forgot their lock, they can borrow one for 24 hours.
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Does the institution provide short-term bicycle parking (e.g. racks) within 50 ft (15 m) of all occupied, non-residential buildings and make long-term bicycle storage available within 330 ft (100 m) of all residence halls (if applicable)?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
There are over 4,100 bike spaces along the Charles River campus; 600 of which are found within bike rooms throughout the campus, with the remaining spaces in bike racks strategically placed in courtyards, beside buildings, along pedestrian malls, as well as along Commonwealth Ave. On BUMC, the eight available bike racks can hold a total of 137 bikes. Locations include BMC Menino Pavilion, Albany St. outside the Boston Medical Center Emergency Entrance, East Concord St. in front of the Medical School, and East Concord St. close to the Talbot building, as well as the 610 & 710 Albany Street Garages which are sheltered from the weather.
A map of these spaces can be found by visiting BU's bike safety website at bu.edu/bikesafety. The website states that if bikers discover a location with insufficient bicycle parking, they are encouraged to inform Parking & Transportation Services of that location in an email. Parking & Transportation Services quickly evaluates and responds to all suggestions.
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Does the institution have a “complete streets” or bicycle accommodation policy (or adhere to a local community policy) and/or have a continuous network of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian paths and lanes?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the bicycle/pedestrian policy and/or network:
Boston University is an active partner with the City of Boston's Boston Bikes and MassBike.org, promoting City and State laws and initiatives. In addition to a Bike Safety Committee comprised of students, faculty, and staff, the University maintains a Bike Safety website (www.bu.edu/bikesafety) which promotes safety education and awareness, safety and advanced riding classes, racks & routes interactive Google maps, and community cycling events and activities. The University sponsors an annual Bike & Pedestrian Safety Day (5,000+ average attendance) and distributes materials with local cycling laws and cycling safety tips to over 11,000 on-campus undergrads. TranSComm is also a member of WalkBoston, which promotes walking safer and easier in Massachusetts to encourage better health, a cleaner environment and vibrant communities. Lastly, the University stenciled Look Left for Bikes in every crosswalk and enhanced the city's bike lanes with fluorescent green paint and reflectors in the leading edge of the lanes.
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Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
In August 2011 the City of Boston’s Hubway program was launched with more than 600 bicycles at 61 stations located widely throughout Boston. Six Hubway stations are located on the Charles River Campus and one is located at the Medical Campus. In 2012, Hubway expanded into surrounding neighborhoods and communities, creating a more robust regional system.
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Is the institution certified as a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists (U.S.) or under a similar third party certification covering non-motorized transportation?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the certification, including date certified and level:
Boston's annual Bike Friendly Business Awards recognize companies that incorporate bike-friendly practices in their daily operations that encourage their employees or customers to ride their bikes. Each year, more Boston companies apply for “bicycle-friendly” status. Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards are distributed according to the number and scope of bike friendly practices a company undertakes. Basic practices include installation of outdoor bike racks, financial incentives for bike commuters, or frequent use of bike messengers. More significant steps are recognized at a higher level, such as providing secure covered bike parking, offering shower facilities for commuter employees, or making Hubway corporate memberships available. In 2013, The Charles River Campus received a Bronze Medal.
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Does the institution offer free or reduced price transit passes and/or operate a free campus shuttle for commuters?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the mass transit program(s), including availability, participation levels, and specifics about discounts or subsidies offered (including pre-tax options):
The Charles River Campus is organized along the MBTA’s B Line with nine campus stops along Commonwealth Avenue. The C and D lines serve South Campus. Boston’s mass transit network extends beyond its subway and trolley system with four bus lines that serve the Charles River Campus. The Medical Campus (BUMC) has eight bus routes which connect the University with twelve neighboring communities.
The MBTA offers a Semester T-Pass program through the University and BUMC, which provides an 11% discount. Monthly T-Passes are available with pre-tax dollars for faculty and staff on the CRC through the Employee MBTA Pass Program, and on the the BUMC campus, through the BUMC Parking and Transportation Office (TranSComm).
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Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip (GRT) program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
No
None
A brief description of the GRT program:
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None
Does the institution participate in a car/vanpool or ride sharing program and/or offer reduced parking fees or preferential parking for car/vanpoolers?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
The BU Rideshare Database was developed to help interested members of the Boston University Community coordinate carpooling with like-minded colleagues. The Rideshare Database requires secure access with a username and password in order to log into the system. On BUMC, carpoolers get preferential parking as they are allowed to park on the first floor of the 610 Albany St garage. BU currently has over 100 active carpoolers.
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Does the institution participate in a car sharing program, such as a commercial car-sharing program, one administered by the institution, or one administered by a regional organization?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the car sharing program:
Boston University supports car sharing through its partnership with Zipcar, where students, faculty and staff can receive discounted memberships. Nine Zipcar vehicles are located on the Charles River Campus and the Medical Campus has four conveniently situated Zipcar locations, two on campus and two across the street.
Members can choose between hybrids and other low emissions vehicles, all of which have been SmartWay Certified by the Environmental Protection Agency. Students, faculty, and staff can join Zipcar for only $25 per year, pay no application fee, no monthly minimum, and no membership deposit.
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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:
There are a total of 4 charging stations available to the BU community on BUMC: 2 240V charging plugs and 2 120V chargers. A total of 6 parking spots are available.
None
Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
No
None
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
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None
Does the institution offer a condensed work week option for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
No
None
A brief description of the condensed work week program:
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None
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:
The Office of Rental Property Management offers and promotes On Campus Housing to Faculty and Staff. Discounted MBTA passes, the BUS and Zipcar discounts with thirteen Zipcars on campus are a few other incentives and programs to encourage employees to live close to campus.
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Does the institution have other incentives or programs to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
Yes
None
A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:
BU prohibits idling. Massachusetts State regulation of a five minute limit for idling is enforced at Boston University. The Medical Campus has “no idling” signs posted. Academy Bus, the company that manages the Boston University Shuttle, complies with the Massachusetts State regulation. If The BUS is idling beyond 5 minutes, the bus automatically turns off.
None
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable transportation program(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
http://www.bu.edu/parking/
(This is the website for the Parking and Transportation Services office at BU, who also oversees the campus shuttle system and the bike safety website which promotes cycling and safety. These other services' websites are also located within this website.)
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.