Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 55.58
Liaison Stephen Ellis
Submission Date April 26, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Boston University
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Dennis Carlberg
Associate Vice President for Sustainability
BU Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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

A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:

The Charles River Campus has 11 indoor bicycle parking facilities. 7 are in dorms while others are located in the schools and centers such as Photonics, Biology and the Law School. In addition to residence halls, showers for cyclists are available at four locations across the Charles River Campus. We also have one full repair station and two permanent tire pump stations on campus.


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

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 within bike racks strategically placed in courtyards, beside buildings, along pedestrian malls, as well as along Commonwealth Ave. A map of these spaces can be found by visiting our bike safety website at www.bu.edu/bikesafety.

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 evaluate and respond to all suggestions.


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

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 staff from Parking & Transportation Services, Judicial Affairs, and the BU Police Department, the University maintains a Bike Safety website (www.bu.edu/bikesafety) which promotes safety education and awareness, bike riding classes, hosts tune-ups and workshops, shows parking locations on a Google maps overlay, and promotes community cycling events and activities.  We sponsor an annual Bike & Pedestrian Safety Day (5,000+ average attendance) and distribute materials with local cycling laws and cycling safety tips to over 11,000 on-campus undergrads.  We also supply free helmets and lights to the University community. BUPD schedules occasional traffic enforcement/education stops and helmet giveaways to cyclists on Commonwealth Avenue. Lastly, the University stenciled Look Left for Bikes in every crosswalk and enhanced the City's bike lanes with florescent green paint and reflectors in the leading edge of the lanes.


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 Charles River Campus is now a Bronze corporate member of Hubway. Faculty and staff are eligible for a subsidized annual Hubway membership of $37.50/year compared to the full cost of $85/year. There are 160 stations in greater Boston area (including 6 on or near the Charles River Campus) and 1,600 bikes throughout 4 municipalities.


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

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 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. The Charles River Campus consistently receives a Bronze Medal.


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 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. BU offers a semester pass to its students allowing for an 11% discount via the MBTA. Employees of the University are able to purchase their MBTA pass with a 35% subsidy for Local Bus, Inner and Outer Express Bus, Subway (LinkPass), and Commuter Rail Zone 1A, and a 50% subsidy for Boat and Commuter Rail Zones 1-10 (except Zone 1A) on a pre-tax basis through payroll deduction.

Boston University also runs the Boston University Shuttle: “The BUS”, a free campus shuttle service between the Charles River Campus and the Medical Campus which incorporates 13 stops. Service has continuously been upgraded with additional buses, and extended hours, including late night and evening shuttle service along the Charles River Campus. “The BUS” operates on a 10 to 20-minute frequency on a daily basis depending on the time of day and has real time tracking available on “The BUS” website (www.bu.edu/thebus) as well as via the BU mobile app.


Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip (GRT) program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the GRT program:

Any BU Charles River Campus employee who uses public transportation, carpools, vanpools, bikes, or walks to work at least three days per week may have a Guaranteed Ride Home through our affiliation with the Allston/Brighton Transportation Management Association (AB TMA). Employees are eligible for up to six rides per year. When enrolled in the program and an emergency arises, you can simply make a phone call and the AB TMA will cover all costs for your trip including gas, tolls and gratuity, with no distance limits.


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:

The Charles River Campus offers a 50% discount on monthly parking permits for groups consisting of two or more daily commuting employee permit holders who return their separate permits to drive together. Any employee group who drives together and agrees to split payroll deductions for the permit cost are eligible for discounted daily parking passes and a designated parking option. Personalized ride matching services are offered to employees interested in driving with others. Students who commit to carpooling are eligible to split the cost of a semester parking permit.


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

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.

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 $15 per year, pay no application fee, no monthly minimum, and no membership deposit.


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

A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:

There are 4- Dual ChargePoint EV Stations allowing for up to 8 vehicles to be charged at any given time on each campus. These charging stations are located in four different parking garages on the Charles River Campus and two different parking garages on the Medical Campus.


Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
No

A brief description of the telecommuting program:
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Does the institution offer a condensed work week option for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
No

A brief description of the condensed work week program:
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Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
Yes

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. A free BU Shuttle Service, discounted MBTA passes, discounted Hubway memberships and discounted Zipcar memberships with 7 Zipcars on campus are a few other incentives and programs offered to encourage employees to live close to campus.


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

A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:

The University employs a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) & Marketing Manager to provide outreach and TDM program development and implementation.


The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable transportation program(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.