| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 61.04 |
| Liaison | Tina Woolston |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Tufts University
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Charles
Grab Assistand Director of Admin Services Public Safety |
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:
On the Medford/Somerville campus, bike racks, shower facilities, and lockers are all available at the Steve Tisch Sports and Fitness Center. Covered bike racks are available in front of Miller Hall, Blakeley Hall, Carmichael Hall, 574 Boston Ave (Collaborative Learning and Innovation Center), and in the Boston Ave garage. Bike lanes or sharrows are located on the parts of College Avenue, Boston Avenue, Packard Avenue, Curtis Street, Broadway, and Powder House Boulevard located in Somerville.
On the Tufts Boston campus, there are outdoor bicycle racks around campus and indoor bike storage at the Tufts Shared Services' Tremont St. Garage. Bicycle commuters can utilize the shower facilities in Posner Hall and the Jaharis Building. Currently, there are no lockers specifically for bicycle commuters on the Boston campus, although several university programs provide lockers for their students throughout campus.
There are also 7 outdoor bike racks on the Grafton campus, and bike commuters have access to the showers in the fitness center.
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:
There are 3 bicycle storage options available on the Tufts Medford campus: bike racks located outside of buildings, covered bike racks, and indoor bike facilities for students in residential buildings. Indoor bicycle racks or rooms are located in the following residence halls on the campus: Bush, Carmichael, Haskell, Hill, Hodgdon, Lewis, Metcalf, Miller, South, Stratton, Tilton, Wilson House, Sophia Gordon, West, and Hillsides Apartments. The Medford/Somerville campus has 6 covered bike racks and 60 uncovered bike racks.
Additional bike racks and storage locations on the Medford/Somerville campus can be found on the Tufts Medford Bike Map: https://sustainability.tufts.edu/wp-content/uploads/web-2018-Bike-Guide.pdf
Students, staff, and faculty on the Boston campus can leave their bikes in a secure room at the Tufts Tremont St. Garage. A key will be given to those who pay $3 to leave their bikes at the garage. When the key is returned, the money is refunded. Outdoor bike racks can be found around the campus.
There are 7 outdoor bike racks on the Grafton campus.
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:
Bike lanes or sharrows are located on the parts of College Avenue, Packard Avenue, Curtis Street, and Powder House Boulevard located in Somerville. "Cycling Basics" are outlined in the Medford/Somerville Bike Map. The information includes:
"Ride safely and follow the law
Cyclists must follow the same road rules as vehicles.
Learn The League of American Bicyclists’ rules of the road at bikeleague.org/ridesmart
Register with TUPD
Registering your bike can deter theft and help the Tufts Police identify it if it is stolen. Learn more about theft prevention and how to register at go.tufts.edu/bikeregistration
Secure your bike
U-locks are the most effective way to protect your bike from theft. Always pass the lock through your bike’s frame, and also try to secure the wheels when possible. U-locks can be purchased from the Tufts Bookstore.
Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
Tufts Bikes, a student-run organization, provides 30 bikes, locks, helmets, and lights that can be checked out by anyone with a Tufts ID through the library. Bikes can be kept for up to 24 hours and then returned to the same location on the Medford/Somerville campus. Rental is free, but late fees are charged. Tufts Bikes also has a bike repair shop where they repair bikes for free. It has professional tools for anyone to use and open shop hours where members of the group offer classes on safety and maintenance and help people with their own bike repairs. When the bike shop is closed cyclist can use an outdoor Fixit station at the campus center. Bike share bikes are kept in sheltered bike racks in front of the library and the campus center. https://tuftsbikes.com/
Blue Bikes stations (formerly known as Hubway) are located on the Somerville edge of the Medford/Somerville campus and within about a 10 minute walk of the Boston campus. As of fall 2018, stations were added on the Boston campus. Blue Bikes is the bike sharing program for Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville.
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:
Tufts runs a free shuttle from Davis Square to the Medford/Somerville campus during the school year, as well as a shuttle that runs along Boston Avenue, connecting 4 Colby Street (Sci Tech) and 200 Boston Avenue.
There is also a shuttle from the Medford/Somerville campus to the School of Museum of Fine Arts to accommodate students taking classes and employees working at those locations.
Students on the Medford and Grafton campuses can purchase semester passes for the MBTA bus and subway system for a discounted rate through the bursar's office (a semester pass bought in advance for an 11% discount). Commencing September 2018, full-time Boston-based Health Science School students (Medical, Dental, Nutrition Schools and Public Health Professional Degree programs) are eligible to purchase an MBTA pass at a 35% discount over regular “T” prices (up to $50/mo. on monthly passes). Prior to Sept. 2018 they received a 25% discount. In November 2013, the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate and the Office for Campus Life (OCL) started selling round-trip MBTA passes valued at $5 for $4 to students groups.
If you work on any Tufts campus in Massachusetts, you are eligible to receive a transit subsidy as an incentive to use public transportation. The subsidy for the Boston and Fenway campuses covers 35% of the cost of public transportation, up to a maximum of $50 per employee per month. The subsidy for the Medford and Grafton campuses covers 35%, up to a $40 maximum per employee per month. The subsidy is administered through payroll deduction.
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:
Those on the Medford and Grafton campuses who take an alternate mode of transportation at least 2 times each week can sign up for MassRIDES' Emergency Ride Home Program. (https://commute.com/erh/). Up to four free cab rides home a year.
Those on the Boston campus who take an alternate mode of transportation at least 3 times each week can participate in ABC TMA's Guaranteed Ride Home Program. (https://www.abctma.com/commuter-programs/guaranteed-ride-home/). Up to six free cab rides home a year.
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:
Ride Matching and Rewards
Whenever you avoid using a car—whether you walk, bike, telecommute, carpool, vanpool, take a subway, train, bus, ferry, or even work a compressed work week – you can earn 100 points per trip. Redeem the points for discounts or freebies at local and online establishments. MassRides also offers a ride matching program that helps commuters quickly and securely find carpool partners.
Learn more at baystatecommute.com
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:
Discounted Zipcar Memberships are available to everyone 18 or older, including staff, faculty and students (including international students) from all Tufts University schools and programs.
Employees can register through their office for direct billing of discounted Mon-Fri driving rates. There is no application fee, monthly minimum, or membership deposit. Daily and overnight rates are also available. Gas, insurance, and 180 miles are included.
Medford Zipcar locations (33):
Zipcar -- Tisch Fitness Center
Zipcar -- Aidekman Parking Lot
Zipcar -- Lower Campus Road
Zipcar -- Jackson Gym
Zipcar -- West Hall
Zipcar -- Miller Hall
Zipcar -- Blakeley Hall
Zipcar -- CLIC/574 Boston Ave
Zipcar -- Arlington St
Zipcar -- Columbus Ave
Zipcar -- Stuart St
Zipcar -- Lagrange St
Zipcar -- Washington St
Zipcar -- Nassau St
Zipcar -- Avery St
Zipcar -- Tufts St
Zipcar--Essex St
Zipcar--Beach St
Zipcar--South St
Zipcar--Atlantic Ave
Zipcar--High St
Zipcar - Museum Rd
Zipcar - Emmanuel College
Zipcar - Boston Children's Hospital
Zipcar - St Albans Rd
Zipcar - Huntington Ave
Zipcar - Alphonsus St
Zipcar - Vancouver St
Zipcar - Park Dr
Zipcar - Queensberry St
Zipcar - Gainsborough St
Zipcar - Leon St
Zipcar - Columbus Ave
For more information or to sign-up, go to www.zipcar.com/tufts.
Turo
Turo (formerly RelayRides) is a neighbor-to-neighbor car sharing company connecting people who need a car with vehicle owners whose rides would otherwise just be sitting unused. Rent one for as little as $10/day. Borrowers as young as 21 can use this service.
Learn more at www.Turo.com.
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:
2 Level 2 EV charging stations are installed in the Dowling Hall Garage in Medford. 2 additional Level 2 EV charging stations are available at Cohen Parking Lot.
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:
Tufts has Telecommuting Guidelines:
Eligible employees in certain positions may telecommute with prior approval. The employee and employer can agree to a Telecommuting Agreement. More info here: https://access.tufts.edu/telecommuting-guidelines
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:
Tufts does not have a formal condensed work week option, but employees may be able to arrange with their supervisors for an adjusted work schedule. The "customary work day" for Tufts employees is defined as 9am-5pm, 5 days a week, but employees may participate in "alternative work arrangements" as long as they have the approval of their supervisor.
More info on that policy here: https://access.tufts.edu/alternative-work-arrangements
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:
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 Tufts Office of Sustainability publishes a number of green commuting publications to both students and employees, including commuting brochures, a bike map, and an Eco-Map that outlines programs available to students and employees. The public safety and parking website also includes information on alternative modes of transportation. Tufts has preferred parking spaces for carpools.
Tufts University received an honorable mention for MassRIDE's 2018 Spotlight Award for Excellence in Commuter Options. This award is given to companies and organizations that offer and incentivize sustainable commuting options.
A transportation demand management plan was completed in February 2015. A fleet manager position was created and filled in February 2015. 25% of that person's job is dedicated to transportation demand management.
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.