| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 81.02 |
| Liaison | Sam Lubow |
| Submission Date | June 29, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Stanford University
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Moira
Hafer Sustainability Specialist Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution provide secure bicycle storage (not including office space), shower facilities, and lockers for bicycle commuters?:
A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:
Stanford has fifteen different bike locker compounds with secure storage capacity for over 440 bikes. There are also three bike cage locations on campus that are accessed via proximity card readers. In addition, the campus contains over 19,000 free-standing outdoor bike parking spaces. Stanford provides shower facilities and clothing lockers for bike commuters. Clothing lockers are available in twelve different campus buildings and shower facilities can be found in all dormitories and residence halls, as well as numerous academic and administrative buildings and two sports recreation facilities on the east and west side of campus. Stanford also has 7 free Bike Safety Repair Stands on campus (https://transportation.stanford.edu/alt_transportation/BikingAtStanford.shtml#repair-stand). The repair stands enable bicyclists to make minor repairs and pump up their tires for free, making it more convenient for the campus community to maintain safe bicycles. Multiple tools are securely fastened to the rack, which also serves as a bike stand.
Several recent campus infrastructure projects are designed to maximize safety for all modes. Construction of the Stanford Perimeter Trail, a 3.4 mile multi-use trail, incorporates improvements for bicyclists. These include bike lanes on both sides of the road, a section of green bike lanes to increase safety in conflict areas, and formalized back-in angled parking, which provides improved visibility for both motorists and bicyclists when vehicles enter and exit parking spaces. Stanford also installed three roundabouts on campus. The roundabouts serve as the most efficient means for vehicle circulation and provide a sensible solution for pedestrians and bicyclists at campus intersections.
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)?:
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
Bike Rack and bike locker compounds are designed by Campus Planning to provide a convenient and accessible way to park bikes in a safe manner. Bike racks are designed in a state-of-the-art way to keep bikes upright and locked and to deter theft. Bike lockers provide safe storage for commuters through the provision of an individual storage unit rented on an annual basis.
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?:
A brief description of the bicycle and pedestrian plan or policy:
Safety is the highest priority for all users on the campus. The circulation plan for bicycles and pedestrians was created by Campus Planning with input from Parking & Transportation Services, Stanford Public Safety, and Diversity and Access to assure safe passage for all users to minimize conflicts and address ongoing changes in the campus environment.
In 2016, Stanford will be providing free helmets to all incoming freshmen thanks to a gift from two generous parents committed to increasing bike safety. The full article on this new initiative can be found here: http://news.stanford.edu/2016/06/02/stanford-freshmen-receive-free-bike-helmets/review/
Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
Each department, school, and program at Stanford, no matter how large or small, can start a bike share program. An online guide walks interested groups through the process (http://sustainable.stanford.edu/sites/sem.stanford.edu/files/documents/how_to_bike_share.pdf). Such fleets have been established for many groups on campus, including the School of Medicine, the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, the Department of Sustainability and Energy Management, and many others. Stanford has 21 Department Bike Share programs that offer a total of 130 bikes for staff use. Many groups have chosen to work with the Campus Bike Shop to lease a fleet of shared bicycles. Program details are available online (http://campusbikeshop.com/articles/stanford-departments-bikes-lease-program-pg258.htm).
Stanford employs a full-time Bicycle Program Coordinator, and she serves as a resource to all those who participate in bike share programs, connecting the groups together and providing advice and guidance.
Does the institution offer free or reduced price transit passes and/or operate a free campus shuttle for commuters?:
A brief description of the mass transit programs:
Stanford's Marguerite Shuttle:
http://transportation.stanford.edu/marguerite/
The Marguerite is a free, comprehensive campus shuttle system, also open to the public. It connects with local and regional transit, as well as shopping and dining options. In addition, routes are available during the academic school year to downtown Palo Alto late into the evening, providing students with safe and reliable transportation. The fleet includes 13 100% electric buses, five diesel-electric hybrid buses, and 67 diesel vehicles. Stanford offers an extensive Automated Transportation Management System, featuring real-time schedules for all routes.
Altamont Corridor Express (ACE):
https://transportation.stanford.edu/alt_transportation/BayAreaTransit.shtml#ace
Stanford faculty, staff, and students enjoy a 50-percent discount on ACE train monthly passes or 20-trip tickets. The ACE train runs weekdays between Stockton and San Jose.
Eco Pass/Go Pass:
http://transportation.stanford.edu/alt_transportation/EcoPass.shtml
Stanford offers passes for free use of local transit, including the VTA buses and light rail, Dumbarton Express, Highway 17 Express, Monterey-San Jose Express, and Caltrain (commuter train) for eligible Stanford employees.
Line U, Ardenwood Express-Fremont, and East Bay Express:
http://transportation.stanford.edu/alt_transportation/BayAreaTransit.shtml#lineu
Free use of these routes is provided, which connect Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Amtrak, ACE trains, and select Park & Ride lots in the East Bay to the Stanford campus.
Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:
Stanford offers an Emergency Ride Home program to anyone who registers for the program in advance online. If they have a qualifying emergency (e.g., personal or family illness or injury) on a day they use alternative transportation for their commute, Stanford will arrange a cab or a rental car to get them home. http://transportation.stanford.edu/erh
Does the institution participate in a car/vanpool or ride sharing program and/or offer reduced parking fees or preferential parking for car/vanpoolers?:
A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
Stanford provides ridematching via Ride (https://ride.com/), a web- and app-based platform which helps to find shared rides between Stanford-affiliated commuters.
Carpool incentives for commuters include free and subsidized parking, preferential parking before 10 a.m., and one free daily parking permit per month for each carpooler. Vanpool incentives include free designated parking and a $300 per month subsidy.
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?:
A brief description of the car sharing program:
Stanford participates in the Zipcar program. Stanford affiliates are incentivized to join the program through a discounted $15 first-year membership fee. Commute Club members receive additional driving credits. There are currently 62 Zipcars on campus available at 25 different locations. http://transportation.stanford.edu/zipcar
Stanford also has an Enterprise car rental office on campus that rents cars on an hourly basis.
Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
There are currently 14 Level 2 chargers available to all EV drivers and located in high-demand parking areas on campus. The university plans to significantly increase charging stations on campus in 2016.
Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
Stanford supports a "flexplace" program where employees, with the consent of their supervisor, can work off-site or telecommute. Stanford provides guidelines, sample letters of understanding, and other resources to assist in setting up a telecommute option for interested employees.
Does the institution offer a condensed work week option that reduces employee commuting (as a matter of policy or standard practice)?:
A brief description of the condensed work week option:
Stanford supports “flextime” or compressed/alternative work weeks, in which employees still work 40 hrs/week but do not do so within standard 8-hour workdays. Stanford recognizes that such flexible working options can improve cost savings and reduce commuting time. These options can be implemented at the discretion of management.
Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:
The Department of Faculty and Staff Housing (FHS) assists employees with the search for housing close to campus. Eligible faculty and staff can purchase or rent on-campus housing. FHS also oversees more than 700 on-campus and off-campus rental units. Eligible persons have priority for these single-family homes, apartments, and condominiums. Other members of the Stanford community are accommodated as space allows. Each location is managed by professional property managers.
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)?:
A brief description of other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting:
The Commute Club is a free club/rewards program for commuters who do not purchase a long-term parking permit. Membership rewards include $25 per month in “Clean Air Cash” or $12.50 per month in “Carpool Credit,” monthly Zipcar credit, hourly Enterprise car rental vouchers, automatic enrollment in the Emergency Ride Home program, automatic entry into seasonal prize drawings, exclusive membership gifts, and more. Commute Club members can purchase up to eight daily parking permits per month for days they need to drive. More information is available at http://commuteclub.stanford.edu.
Parking & Transportation Services offers free, customized transit and bicycle planning assistance to Stanford affiliates for trips to and from Stanford. https://transportation.stanford.edu/commuteplanning/
The Folding Bike program offers a discount to qualified commuters to receive a $100 stipend to offset the purchase price of a folding bike to use on alternative transportation modes, e.g. bus and train. P&TS partners with the Campus Bike Shop on this promotion that also includes a free one-week trial rental. http://transportation.stanford.edu/alt_transportation/BikingAtStanford.shtml#bikepromo
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.