| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.97 |
| Liaison | Stephen Ellis |
| Submission Date | Aug. 2, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Boston University
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Stephen
Ellis Director, Data Analytics BU Sustainability |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Support for Cyclists and Pedestrians
Yes
None
A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:
At Charles River Campus, there are 577 indoor bike spaces provided throughout the campus at 17 locations. Showers for cyclists are available at the Track and Tennis Center, 25 Buick Street, Yawkey Student Center and FitRec. We also have two full repair stations and three permanent outdoor tire pump stations. Pumps can also be found in three of the secure bike rooms (Park Ave, Warren, StuVi2) and four offices on campus (Judicial Affairs, Parking and Transportation Services, FM&P)
At Boston University Medical Campus (BUMC), there are two bike cages and showers in many different building buildings for cyclists.
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:
On the Charles River Campus (CRC), Toole Design Group has recently completed a comprehensive bike plan with exact, real-world estimates for the collective capacity of bike racks on campus. Based on manufacturer's specs we had previously estimated that our racks could hold 4,100 bikes, including 600 indoor spaces. Toole's analysis, however, concluded that due to real-world rack positioning constraints and more realistic capacity estimates, there are actually 2,395 spaces at 132 unique locations along the Charles River campus. 577 of those racks are indoors at 17 locations. A map of these spaces can be found by visiting our bike safety website at 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. It is our hope that the bike plan will allow us to strategically relocate and expand bike parking on campus to better meet our community's needs.
URL: www.bu.edu/bikesafety
At Boston University's Medical Campus (BUMC), there are bike racks or cages near all buildings and three bike maintenance stations with tools.
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?:
Yes
A brief description of the bicycle and pedestrian plan or policy:
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 2 on or near the Medical Campus) and 1,600 bikes throughout 4 municipalities.
Mass Transit Programs
Yes
A brief description of the mass transit programs:
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. The University offers subsidized MBTA passes of 35% and 50% to Regular employees on a pre-tax basis through payroll deduction up to a sheltered amount of $260 through the MBTA's Corporate TPass program. As of 1/1/2018, those who drive to a transit station, such as a commuter rail station, will be able to pay for their parking pre-tax using a university-issued benefits card. 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 12 stops. Service has continuously been upgraded with buses added, and hours extended, including late night and evening shuttle service along the Charles River Campus and a new Comm Ave loop. 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 bu.edu/thebus as well as via the BU mobile app.
Guaranteed Return Trip Program
Yes
A brief description of the guaranteed return trip 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.
Boston University Medical Center employees are guaranteed rides home through the BUMC Parking Office.
URL: http://www.bumc.bu.edu/transcomm/erh/
Carpool/Vanpool Programs
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.
At Boston University Medical Campus, the TranSComm office offers in house and state wide ridematching and zipcar memberships. BUMC also offers preferential parking for car or vanpoolers.
Car Sharing Program
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. 7 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.
At Boston University Medical Center, on the first level of the 610 Albany St. Garage, there are designated gated parking spaces available for carpool, vanpool and hybrid cars. Users need to register for access to the area.
EV Recharging Stations
Yes
None
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.
At Boston University Medical Center (BUMC), both the 610 and 710 Albany St. garages have EV charging stations. Free charging for the first four hours.
BUMC URL: www.bumc.bu.edu/transcomm/carpool-hybrid-program/ev/
Telecommuting and Condensed Work Week Programs
No
None
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
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Does the institution offer a condensed work week option that reduces employee commuting (as a matter of policy or standard practice)?:
No
A brief description of the condensed work week option:
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Other Strategies to Reduce the Impacts of Commuting
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. 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 employ other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting (e.g. preferred parking for fuel-efficient vehicles, cash-out of parking programs)?:
Yes
A brief description of other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting:
Boston University promotes bicycling as a safe and easy means of transportation by offering employees with incentives and safety products such as free lights, bells, and helmets. We also offer a Bicycle Commuter Reimbursement Benefit whereby employees receive $20/month in reimbursement for bike-related expenses for every month during which bicycling was their primary mode of commuting.
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
More information about the programs at Boston University Medical Campus can be found at: http://www.bumc.bu.edu/transcomm/.
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.