Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 58.99
Liaison Deborah Steinberg
Submission Date Feb. 27, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Carnegie Mellon University
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 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

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:

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 Building Parking Garages available for rent to bike commuters.


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 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 “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?:
No

A brief description of the bicycle/pedestrian policy and/or network:
---

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:

In 2011 Google started a bike share program on campus with 20 bikes.

The City of Pittsburgh and Bike Pittsburgh is working on developing a public bike share program.


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:

In 2011 we applied for a Bike Friendly University with the League of American Bicyclists and received an Honorable Mention. We also applied locally and received a Bike Friendly Employer designation with Bike Pittsburgh in 2012. We submitted for BFU in 2014 and are waiting for the results.


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):

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. All vehicles are equipped with yellow strobe lights for easy identification E1-E9. The Shuttle Service operates several routes in the area surrounding the university.


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

A brief description of the GRT program:
---

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 an exclusive Carnegie Mellon carpool matching system, where individuals may register based on individual preference as a driver, shared driver, or passenger. The University is offering this program, Zimride, as a way to assist our community members in coordinating efforts to carpool in the event of a Port Authority Transit strike or service cutback.


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:

Carnegie Mellon University participates in the Zipcar program, created in 2007 and operated with 2 Zipcars on campus at a membership fee of $35/year. Several cars are also located within walking distance of the university.


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:

We have 8 Level 2 at the Electric Garage and 6 at the CIC Garage.


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

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 for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
Yes

A brief description of the condensed work week 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.

We also have a 4 / 10 work week offered in the Union Contract.


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

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 have other incentives or programs to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
No

A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:
---

The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable transportation program(s) is available:
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.

They recently met on January 20 and decided to divide into Working Groups focusing on Education, Engineering, Encouragement, Evaluation, and Outreach.

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.


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.

They recently met on January 20 and decided to divide into Working Groups focusing on Education, Engineering, Encouragement, Evaluation, and Outreach.

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.