Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.47
Liaison Daryl Pierson
Submission Date March 30, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Portland State University
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Ian Stude
Transportation Options Manager
Transportation and Parking Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Support for Cyclists and Pedestrians 

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

None
A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:
There are 10 secure, indoor bike parking garages on campus, and two shower facilities. These access-controlled areas require a bike parking permit and a PSU access card (available from ID Card Services). Bike parking permits are limited, and sold at the PSU Bike Hub for a small fee ($15 per academic term or $45 per year).

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:
PSU has more than 2000 bike racks on campus. There are several secure bike parking facilities on campus. These access-controlled areas require a bike parking permit and a PSU access card (available from ID Card Services). Bike parking permits are limited, and sold at the PSU Bike Hub for a small fee ($15 per academic term or $45 per year). Each of these facilities has the following features: 24/7 secure access via ID card, security cameras record entry, exit, and activity within the facility, self-service repair stand with tools, air pump and a bike lock storage rack.

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:
The PSU campus includes a network of former streets that have been vacated and converted to broad pedestrian thoroughfares. Bicycle access is largely provided by city-maintained facilities on-street, including a 10ft wide "cycle track" or protected bike lane, stretching the length of campus on it's busiest arterial, SW Broadway. All pedestrianized former streets maintain bicycle access as well, and include bicycle parking fixtures outside every building. Green “bike boxes” give cyclists a visible and safe location to wait at intersections. In 2015, PSU received a Bike Friendly University rating of Platinum from the League of American Bicyclists PSU has a policy allowing faculty and staff to bring bicycles inside buildings to their offices or designated areas in order to free up bicycle parking space outside for students and visitors. The university also maintains a network of secure bicycle parking facilities with approximately 690 spaces.

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:
PSU has partnered with City of Portland to provide 5 BIKETOWN bike share stations on campus. Additionally, PSU has sponsored reduced membership rates for PSU students and employees to join BIKETOWN (Just $5 per month for students and $8 per month for employees; public rate is $12/mo)

Mass Transit Programs 

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 programs:
More PSU students and employees use public transit to reach campus than any other mode of transportation. And for good reason -- PSU is located at the heart of the TriMet transit system with stops for the Portland Streetcar, three MAX light rail lines, and 20 bus routes. The quarterly Student FlexPass and the annual Faculty/Staff PassPort are partially-subsidized passes for use on the regional transit provider, TriMet. The FlexPass and PassPort are valid for use on all TriMet buses, MAX light rail trains, and C-Tran local service buses (non-Express). Students receive a 40% discount, while employees receive approximately 49% discount. All PSU Students and Employees are allowed to ride the Portland Streetcar system for free.

Guaranteed Return Trip Program 

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

A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:
PSU faculty and staff are eligible for Emergency Ride Home services at no charge. In the event of an emergency involving the employee or a close family member, we will arrange for a taxi ride to either the employee’s home address or a local medical facility. In order to be eligible, they must have traveled to work that day by non-single occupancy vehicle (transit, bike, walk, carpool).

Carpool/Vanpool Programs 

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:
PSU participates in the State of Oregon - Drive Less Connect service and we sell Car Pool parking permits that are incentivised by preferred parking locations at a lower cost.

Car Sharing Program 

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

None
A brief description of the car sharing program:
ZipCar Benefit PSU Faculty and Staff can join ZipCar (a car-sharing company) for free and receive reduced rates for personal driving on weekdays. Use one of the 20 ZipCars on campus. Faculty and Staff are also eligible for ZipCar use for business trips. ZipCar also offers a deal for PSU students. Students pay only $35/year, plus get $35 in free driving to use during their first month, in addition to lowering the age requirement for students. PSU is at the heart of the Car2Go and ReachNow service areas. Both services offer one-way car sharing trips in the central city.

EV Recharging Stations 

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

None
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
PSU currently has four Level 2 charging stations, dispersed at two key locations on campus. Four additional Level 2 charging stations are offered at the Collaborative Life Sciences Building, which is shared with OHSU and OSU.

Telecommuting and Condensed Work Week Programs 

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

None
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
Telecommuting, is a program under which employees work at a place other than their traditional workplace on specified days and at their primary worksite the remainder of the time, retaining flexibility to meet the needs of the work unit. The telework location may be the employee's home or another suitable location. Employees may use telephones and, in many instances computers, to communicate effectively. The Chancellor's office supports telework to maximize productive work time, decrease the need for parking and office facilities, reduce energy used for transportation, and decrease traffic congestion, hazards, and air pollution. The Chancellor's office supports telework in situations where it is in the best interest of the University System. This policy applies to work outside of the office for one or more days a week on a routine basis. The policy does not apply to temporary or occasional work arrangements such as dependent care, inclement weather, recovery from an illness, caring for an ill family member, or instances where an employee is assigned to work at home. The employee's supervisor and the appropriate Dean/Director/Vice Provost must approve Telework arrangements. This policy creates no employee rights in relation to telework.

Does the institution offer a condensed work week option that reduces employee commuting (as a matter of policy or standard practice)?:
Yes

A brief description of the condensed work week option:
Condensed work weeks are available for employees, but are set up within one's department rather than through HR. It is mentioned on the Telecommuting Policy page. More information can be obtained through HR - 503.725.4926

Other Strategies to Reduce the Impacts of Commuting 

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

None
A brief description of the incentives or programs 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)?:
No

A brief description of other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting:
---

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
https://www.pdx.edu/transportation/

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
HR telecommuting and condensed work week policy: https://www.pdx.edu/hr/telecommuting-policy

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.