Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 58.08
Liaison Andrew D'Amico
Submission Date March 13, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Princeton University
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Kim Jackson
Director, Transportation and Parking Services
Transportation and Parking Services, University 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:

There are some shower facilities in academic buildings and the facilities building that bikers can use.


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 is some covered bike parking offered in the campus parking garages. Princeton is working on developing other options during academic year 2015.


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?:
Yes

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

Transportation and Parking Services produced a map for bicyclists; the map serves pedestrians equally well. The publication is available online and in relevant offices for campus commuters.


Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
No

A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:

Princeton did not have a bicycle sharing program during the '13/'14 academic year. However, starting in fall 2014, Princeton introduced a new bike-sharing program in partnership with the company, Zagster, at the train station adjacent to campus. There are currently 10 Zagster bikes available that can be rented free of charge for the first two hours, and for $2 per hour after that. Initial membership costs $20.


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:

Princeton University was certified in 2012 as a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly University.


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):

Princeton University employees who commute to campus via mass transit are eligible to receive a 50% subsidy on his or her monthly transit pass. In addition to the 50% reimbursement, HR offers employees the option of taking pre-tax dollars to pay for your transit pass.

Graduate commuting students are eligible to receive a 50% subsidy off monthly transit passes; 179 graduate students participate in this program. Additionally, both Princeton Undergraduate and Graduate students are eligible to receive a 25% off a regular rail, bus, or light rail monthly pass when enrolled through NJ Transit's Quik-Tik program.


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

A brief description of the GRT program:

The Transportation Demand Management program provides an occasional ride home to commuters who use alternative modes of transportation to work. The program is subsidized through the employer, free of charge to the users.


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:

The Rideshare Carpool Service is a free carpool matching service for Princeton University faculty and staff. The program provides interested applicants with a match list of other Princeton University community members who live and work near them and want to carpool. Commuters set up their own carpools to fit their particular commuting needs.

Princeton also offers a vanpool service. Vanpools operate in a similar manner to carpools, only they carry more individuals than a typical carpool. Vanpooling is particularly suitable for longer commutes (10 miles or more each way). Each vanpool must have at least five riders to be economically efficient.


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:

Transportation & Parking Services has partnered with Enterprise CarShare to provide car sharing services for the Princeton University community. Enterprise CarShare vehicles are conveniently located on campus and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.


Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
No

A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
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Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
No

A brief description of the telecommuting program:

Although the University does not currently offer a telecommuting program as standard practice, Princeton’s Human Resources department piloted an internal telecommuting program.


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:

The University offers a condensed work week to limited departments during the summer months.


Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
Yes

A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:

The University operates the Standard Mortgage Program, which offers favorable mortgage rates and terms to eligible faculty and staff to help members of the campus community purchase homes within a nine-mile radius of Nassau Hall or within the city of Trenton.

Additionally, Princeton University formed a comprehensive Housing Master Plan in 2005 to enhance housing programs for faculty, staff and graduate students. The Housing Plan will provide rental units for eligible faculty and staff on two sites north of campus.

One of these sites, the Merwick Stanworth project, features a mix of apartments and townhouses. These units are affordable and available to local residents with low-to-moderate incomes. Plans called for a close-knit community that adds a significant number of new units, incorporates sustainable design features, preserves the existing landscape and enhances the surrounding neighborhood. The Merwick Stanworth project is now open for faculty/staff renters.


Does the institution have other incentives or programs to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
Yes

A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:

The University owns and operates the Cyclab, a student-run bicycle cooperative on campus. The Cyclab is staffed by student and community volunteer mechanics who will repair bicycles for the Princeton University community for free. Additionally, the Cyclab hosts bike-related events, workshops, classes, and group rides.


The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable transportation program(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Information about the Cyclab: https://cyclab.princeton.edu/


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