MacEwan University
OP-19: Student Commute Modal Split

This data was collected using a survey developed by the Office of Sustainability and Institutional Analysis and Planning. A short survey was chosen to help ensure a good response and coordinate between the start of the fall term and the timelines of the STARS submission. Since the Office of Sustainability is just starting to plan and implement transportation-related initiatives, it was not possible to ask questions directly related to these initiatives. This will be done in future surveys, to be scheduled in the spring to match the timing of the University’s employee survey. Students were first asked if they are new or returning students. Returning students were asked to report on their commuting patterns from the previous year while new students were then asked to answer the proceeding questions based on their anticipated commuting behaviours. Information on the type of transportation they used to get to school, how often they used it, and if it changed depending on the season was gathered. Students were also asked to provide the first three digits of their home postal codes. This was used to provide an estimate of the distance they commuted to and from school. The questionnaire was administered to all students at MacEwan University who were registered in at least one credit course in September 2014. Invitation emails were sent to approximately 16,000 students. Approximate 18% of completed surveys were rejected due to issues with the responses (e.g., insufficient information provided about campus or more than seven days per week of travel indicated). The valid response rate was 30%.