Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 69.69
Liaison Deborah Steinberg
Submission Date Feb. 7, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Carnegie Mellon University
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.80 / 2.00 Michelle R. Porter
Director, Parking and Transportation Services of FMCS
Parking and Transportation Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Support for Cyclists and Pedestrians 

Does the institution provide secure bicycle storage (not including office space), shower facilities, and lockers for bicycle commuters?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:
Carnegie Mellon University has bike racks available throughout the entire campus for bike commuters. Parking & Transportation Services has individual bicycle lockers located inside the Gates and East Campus Garages available for rent to bike commuters.

Does the institution provide short-term bicycle parking for all occupied buildings and makes long-term bicycle storage available for students who live on-site (if applicable)?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
There are over 1300 bicycle parking spaces located on campus and a google map showing all of the locations. There are only a few indoor bicycle rooms in resident halls and academic buildings.

Does the institution have a bicycle and pedestrian plan or policy (or adhere to a local community plan/policy) that sets standards and practices for campus streets to enable safe access for all users?:
No

A brief description of the bicycle and pedestrian plan or policy:
However, we are working on one with our bicycle consultant.

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:
Parking & Transportation Services is currently working with Healthy Ride Bike Program to institute their current city wide program directly on campus. https://healthyridepgh.com/

Mass Transit Programs 

Does the institution offer free or reduced price transit passes and/or operate a free campus shuttle for commuters?:
Yes

A brief description of the mass transit programs:
Faculty, staff, and students are provided annually with a bus pass (included on their University Identification Card to use to ride the public transportation (Port Authority Transit) free of charge. The university operates two separate transportation systems for the convenience and safety of our students - the Shuttle Service and the Escort Service. The Shuttle Service operates several routes in the area surrounding the university. https://www.cmu.edu/police/Shuttle%20and%20Escort/

Guaranteed Return Trip Program 

Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
No

A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:
N/A

Carpool/Vanpool Programs 

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

A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
Campus community members may elect to participate in carpooling via the Parking & Transportation Services Office. In participating in the carpool program, a discount of $10 per month is offered to car pool riders. Parking & Transportation Services is currently working with Chariot (vanpool) program to institute the program here at CMU. https://www.chariot.com/about

Car Sharing Program 

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:
Carnegie Mellon University participates in the Zipcar program, created in 2007 and on campus at a membership fee of $35/year. We currently have 5 vehicles directly on campus and several cars are also located within walking distance of the university.

EV Recharging Stations 

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:
We have (7) stations in total - (5) at the CIC Garage and (2) at the Dithridge Street Garage.

Telecommuting and Condensed Work Week Programs 

Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
Staff Handbook Section 2C. Flexible Working Hours Carnegie Mellon offers flexible work schedules for staff whose work allows it consistent with the university’s organizational needs. Individual needs will be accommodated wherever possible, in keeping with the academic community's tradition of flexibility.

Does the institution offer a condensed work week option that reduces employee commuting (as a matter of policy or standard practice)?:
Yes

A brief description of the condensed work week option:
Staff Handbook Section 2C. Flexible Working Hours Carnegie Mellon offers flexible work schedules for staff whose work allows it consistent with the university’s organizational needs. Individual needs will be accommodated wherever possible, in keeping with the academic community's tradition of flexibility. We also have a 4 / 10 work week offered in the Union Contract.

Other Strategies to Reduce the Impacts of Commuting 

Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
No

None
A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:
The university owns several homes near the campus and rents them to university staff, which allows them to be quickly available and responsive to students and/or the campus facilities.

Does the institution employ other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting (e.g. preferred parking for fuel-efficient vehicles, cash-out of parking programs)?:
No

A brief description of other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting:
N/A

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
In 2014, The Graduate Student Assembly Bike Advisory Committee formed, and is now transforming into a more university wide committee of faculty, staff and students. The Parking and Transportation Office has hired a bicycling consultant to conduct educational programs and help with transforming CMU into a more bike friendly university.

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.