| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 70.87 |
| Liaison | Daimon Eklund |
| Submission Date | Dec. 23, 2021 |
University of Washington, Seattle
OP-17: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Caryn
Walline Commute Options & Planning Manager UW Transportation |
"---"
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 of Washington partners with external bike share companies (such as JUMP) to allow them to operate on campus, promote services to students and staff, and to encourage helmet usage. Specific rules and regulations regarding their operations on campus are outlined in the permits Transportation Services grants to the bike share companies.
https://transportation.uw.edu/getting-here/bike#bike-share
https://transportation.uw.edu/getting-here/bike#bike-share
Does the institution participate in a car sharing program?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the car sharing program:
The University of Washington was one of the first schools to partner with a carsharing entity by working with Flexcar in 2001. Currently, UW partners with Zipcar to provide 12 cars on campus. U-PASS members receive discounted Zipcar memberships and other perks. Additionally, the cars housed on campus are available for use by students ages 18-20, whereas cars off campus are only for those over 21.
https://transportation.uw.edu/getting-here/rideshare
UW Transportation Services offers the UCAR program to the campus community. UCAR is an exclusive university affiliate car-sharing program housed within UW Fleet Services. UCARS are available for use related to university education, research, outreach and business. There are 110 UCARs available to rent across eight different pickup locations across campus.
https://facilities.uw.edu/catalog/vehicle-rental
https://transportation.uw.edu/getting-here/rideshare
UW Transportation Services offers the UCAR program to the campus community. UCAR is an exclusive university affiliate car-sharing program housed within UW Fleet Services. UCARS are available for use related to university education, research, outreach and business. There are 110 UCARs available to rent across eight different pickup locations across campus.
https://facilities.uw.edu/catalog/vehicle-rental
Does the institution offer preferential parking or other incentives for fuel efficient vehicles?:
No
A brief description of the incentives for fuel efficient vehicles:
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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:
The University of Washington recently invested approximately $1.3 million in EV charging infrastructure, significantly expanding its program.
There are currently 21 Level 2 electric vehicle recharging stations on campus for use by student and employee commuters. The charging station parking spaces are reserved for exclusive use by electric vehicles, but users must still pay for their parking time.
There are an additional 81 Level 2 stations in stalls reserved for electric UW Fleet vehicles.
There are currently 21 Level 2 electric vehicle recharging stations on campus for use by student and employee commuters. The charging station parking spaces are reserved for exclusive use by electric vehicles, but users must still pay for their parking time.
There are an additional 81 Level 2 stations in stalls reserved for electric UW Fleet vehicles.
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 UW has a faculty/staff housing program and is in the process of developing a new campus-adjacent workforce housing project. The University also offers additional resources for employees online through its HR department: https://hr.uw.edu/housing/priority-access-rentals-affordable-housing-near-uw-campuses/
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:
In July 2020, the University of Washington published a Sustainability Action Plan. This plan is built on five guiding principles that address student learning outcomes, research impact, diversity equity & inclusion, responsible use of our resources and the decarbonization of energy sources. The plan also outlines ten specific targets and goals to achieve from 2021 through 2025. Included in these targets is the goal to achieve a 12% (or less) single-occupancy-vehicle commute by 2028. Transportation Services plans to achieve this goal by promoting commute options that will help reduce single-occupancy-vehicle commutes and by promoting car shares and UW shuttle services. We plan to take a nuanced approach for these actions and include the following in our tactics:
-Complete a Needs Assessment of the campus community to develop specific transportation mode targets and strategies
-Continue to promote the U-PASS program to students, staff and faculty. Provide a fully-subsidized U-PASS to additional staff.
-Construct two new bike houses on campus to provide more secure bicycle parking
Bike commuting is encouraged and supported by events and classes that make starting and continuing to bike commute easier and more fun. The University often offers free bike classes, with topics ranging from getting started to tips on riding in the rain. Two separate team-focused bike challenges (one in May and one in November) encourage peer-to-peer support, offer trip-logging platforms, provide rewards, and celebrate biking to campus.
In October 2019, Transportation Services also expanded secure bike parking on campus with the opening of three new bike houses. These bike houses have a modular design that include new features such as electric outlets for e-bike charging and lockers for commuters to store personal items like a change of clothes or their helmet. The expansion of secure bike parking is a part of the department’s goal to increase bike parking capacity on campus over the next five years. The new bike houses added 117 spaces to the campus’ inventory of secure bike parking spaces (5,000). New bike houses will feature the new modular design moving forward.
In July 2019, Transportation Services helped expand public transit access through the implementation of a fully subsidized transit pass. The U-PASS (UW’s transit pass) provides UW employees and students with full fare coverage and rides on the region’s various buses, light rail, and water taxis. Through collective bargaining agreements between the University and classified staff unions (typically hourly staff), a fully subsidized U-PASS was provided to a large portion of the University workforce. Fully subsidized U-PASS holders make up about 15% of the University’s total U-PASS holders which is around 62,000 on average. U-PASS holders are made up of:
-Students who receive a U-PASS through their paid tuition (71%)
-Employees who pay for an annual U-PASS (10%)
-Employees who pay for a quarterly U-PASS (3%)
-Employees who receive a U-PASS through a commuter product (1%)
-Employees who receive a fully subsidized U-PASS (15%)
Transportation Services encourages ridesharing through benefits and incentives for commuters sharing the ride. Carpoolers who commute at least three days a week can enjoy a complimentary U-PASS (for up to four members). Those who carpool on a more impromptu basis enjoy discounted parking. Carpoolers may also take advantage of dedicated, prime parking spaces in a few of our most popular lots and garages.
Vanpoolers enjoy complimentary parking across campus and receive a subsidy towards their full monthly vanpool fare through the U-PASS Vanpool Subsidy program. Transportation Services also offers up to two complimentary U-PASSes for vanpool participants who do not currently have one in their respective vanpools.
-Complete a Needs Assessment of the campus community to develop specific transportation mode targets and strategies
-Continue to promote the U-PASS program to students, staff and faculty. Provide a fully-subsidized U-PASS to additional staff.
-Construct two new bike houses on campus to provide more secure bicycle parking
Bike commuting is encouraged and supported by events and classes that make starting and continuing to bike commute easier and more fun. The University often offers free bike classes, with topics ranging from getting started to tips on riding in the rain. Two separate team-focused bike challenges (one in May and one in November) encourage peer-to-peer support, offer trip-logging platforms, provide rewards, and celebrate biking to campus.
In October 2019, Transportation Services also expanded secure bike parking on campus with the opening of three new bike houses. These bike houses have a modular design that include new features such as electric outlets for e-bike charging and lockers for commuters to store personal items like a change of clothes or their helmet. The expansion of secure bike parking is a part of the department’s goal to increase bike parking capacity on campus over the next five years. The new bike houses added 117 spaces to the campus’ inventory of secure bike parking spaces (5,000). New bike houses will feature the new modular design moving forward.
In July 2019, Transportation Services helped expand public transit access through the implementation of a fully subsidized transit pass. The U-PASS (UW’s transit pass) provides UW employees and students with full fare coverage and rides on the region’s various buses, light rail, and water taxis. Through collective bargaining agreements between the University and classified staff unions (typically hourly staff), a fully subsidized U-PASS was provided to a large portion of the University workforce. Fully subsidized U-PASS holders make up about 15% of the University’s total U-PASS holders which is around 62,000 on average. U-PASS holders are made up of:
-Students who receive a U-PASS through their paid tuition (71%)
-Employees who pay for an annual U-PASS (10%)
-Employees who pay for a quarterly U-PASS (3%)
-Employees who receive a U-PASS through a commuter product (1%)
-Employees who receive a fully subsidized U-PASS (15%)
Transportation Services encourages ridesharing through benefits and incentives for commuters sharing the ride. Carpoolers who commute at least three days a week can enjoy a complimentary U-PASS (for up to four members). Those who carpool on a more impromptu basis enjoy discounted parking. Carpoolers may also take advantage of dedicated, prime parking spaces in a few of our most popular lots and garages.
Vanpoolers enjoy complimentary parking across campus and receive a subsidy towards their full monthly vanpool fare through the U-PASS Vanpool Subsidy program. Transportation Services also offers up to two complimentary U-PASSes for vanpool participants who do not currently have one in their respective vanpools.
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Transportation Services homepage: http://transportation.uw.edu/
U-PASS transit pass program: https://transportation.uw.edu/getting-here/transit/u-pass
UCAR program: https://facilities.uw.edu/catalog/vehicle-rental
Carpool: https://transportation.uw.edu/getting-here/rideshare/carpool
Vanpool: https://transportation.uw.edu/getting-here/rideshare/vanpool
UW Sustainability Action Plan: https://green.uw.edu/sustainability-plan
U-PASS transit pass program: https://transportation.uw.edu/getting-here/transit/u-pass
UCAR program: https://facilities.uw.edu/catalog/vehicle-rental
Carpool: https://transportation.uw.edu/getting-here/rideshare/carpool
Vanpool: https://transportation.uw.edu/getting-here/rideshare/vanpool
UW Sustainability Action Plan: https://green.uw.edu/sustainability-plan
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.