MacEwan University
OP-16: Student Commute Modal Split

In 2017, a survey was designed by the Sustainability Leadership Council and distributed among the MacEwan student community in 2017. The results resemble the data obtained in a more comprehensive survey, which was conducted in 2014 (see below): 61.9 % of students use more sustainable commuting options as their primary means of transportation. This number entails the following percentages in detail: Walk= 14.5% Bike = 4.8% Transit = 42.6% Drive = 38.1% (not counted as sustainable commuting option) The numbers provided in the optional fields below are from the 2014 survey as we gained more detailed information regarding the breakdown of the commuting options. 2014 SURVEY RESULTS: 62.5% of all students use more sustainable modes of transportation. 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%.

The numbers provided in the optional fields are from the 2014 survey as we gained more detailed information regarding the breakdown of the commuting options.