| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.54 |
| Liaison | Mike Versteege |
| Submission Date | June 30, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Alberta
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Geoff
Rode Director of Operations, Ancillary Services Facilites & Operations |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Support for Cyclists and Pedestrians
Yes
None
A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:
The University of Alberta has three secure bicycle lock-up cages located in the Education Carpark, Stadium Carpark, and adjacent to Cameron Library. Users may purchase monthly or yearly permits from Parking Services at a cost of $10 per month. Security to the cages is provided via a locked gate entry. Both the Stadium Carpark and Education Carpark facilities allow access to a pedway system that affords an interior connection to the adjacent buildings.
Shower facilities and lockers are located in the Van Vliet Centre, which is in close proximity to both Education and Stadium Carparks; these facilities are available to all full-time students, faculty and staff who hold a valid University of Alberta identification card. These lockers may be used for free daily or rented for a nominal fee.
There are some additional secure bicycle parking facilities provided by individual departments as well as by Residence Services.
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:
Bicycle racks are provided throughout the campus for both short and long-term use.
In certain residences, there is longer-term indoor bicycle storage available.
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:
Pedestrian, Bicycle and Space Development Plans
https://www.ualberta.ca/vice-president-facilities-operations/forms-and-documents
https://www.ualberta.ca/vice-president-facilities-operations/planning/office-of-the-university-architect/campus-planning
The university’s grounds are restricted to pedestrians, bicycles, service vehicles and emergency vehicles only, allowing safe and accessible movement around campus. Personal vehicles may park in lots or structures located on the periphery of campus. Furthermore, there is a bus loop to serve the transit centre, centralizing the route of transit vehicles passing through campus.
The university's Pedestrian and Bicycle Plans are included in both Appendix XX of the Long Range Development Plan (LRDP, written in 2002 and amended in 2014) and the North Campus Open Space Plan (June 2014).
The university's North Campus Open Space Plan describes the campus pedestrian network as well-developed and fine-grained, meeting the needs of campus users. Pathways connect to all parts of the grounds. Whenever new development occurs, new pathways are created. It also notes that the surface pedestrian network is supplemented by pedway connections between buildings, providing alternate pathways for winter months. Pedestrian paths are multi-use and also facilitate the movement of bicycles around campus. Bike lanes in the surrounding communities (116 Street, 112 Street, 110 Street, University Avenue, and Saskatchewan Drive) connect the campus to the city’s bicycle network.
The open space plan also strives to guide the design of exterior environments by promoting universal accessibility, feelings of safety and security, and providing clear wayfinding on campus. Actions taken to enhance these characteristics of campus include:
• Providing safe and clear access to cycling infrastructure.
• Providing clear and well-lit pedestrian routes around the campus perimeter.
• Providing emergency access routes designed to facilitate access while also creating a high-quality pedestrian environment.
• Reducing pedestrian, vehicle and cyclist conflicts through clear and legible design standards.
The LRDP reinforces an integrated approach to enhance pedestrian and bicycle routes and improve movement throughout campus. Creating areas of campus that are designed exclusively for pedestrians and bicycles increases safety, makes it more comfortable to move around campus, and provides an opportunity for improved circulation and wayfinding. The university is also working with the City of Edmonton to provide additional shared-use network routes to better link the campus to the rest of Edmonton. This promotes increased use of the paths and provides a safer route for campus commuters.
Other examples of initiatives that encourage bicycle use at the university include:
• Free bike checks, supported by the Sustain SU Bike Library mechanic, at several events throughout the year
• Bicycle registration stickers and bicycle security tips from Campus Security
• Vertical, covered bicycle racks at the East Campus Village raduate Residence
• The addition of bicycle rack locations whenever possible during new construction projects
Date Revised: Dec. 1, 2017
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:
Sustain SU Bike Library and Workshop
(http://su.ualberta.ca/services/sustainsu/projects/bikelibrary/)
The Sustain SU Bike Library is a service of the Students' Union, supported by the university with space and with sponsorship from the Office of Sustainability.
The Bike Library has an inventory of approximately 50 bicycles, which are rented out from April to November to students, staff and faculty. Bicycles are rented by the week for up to four weeks. For a $60 deposit and a $10/week, renters get a bike, u-lock, a bell and two lights. A deduction from the $60 deposit may occur if damage is noted or if any of the accompanying accessories are not returned. The Bike Library does not provide helmets, although their use is strongly encouraged.
In addition, the Bike Library offers bicycle repair services, provided by their mechanic, who holds a paid position of 15 hours a week from May to August and 10 hours a week from September to April. This position has been supported by the University of Alberta since 2009. In addition, volunteer bicycle mechanics are trained to perform inspections and repairs. Staff and volunteers are focused not only on providing repairs, but also ensuring that patrons understand how to do the repairs for themselves for the next time they are needed. Our workshop and large inventory of tools is open for the campus community to come in and work on their own projects as well. This service allows clients to have their bicycles repaired, free of charge, and also encourages them to learn helpful repair skills. The open workshop space also fosters a diverse cycling community on campus.
The Sustain SU Bike Library & Workshop also periodically hosts bike checks during the school year; anyone on campus can bring their bicycle and receive a free inspection and tune-up. Workshops are also offered on topics such as basic bike maintenance and winter cycling.
Mass Transit Programs
Yes
A brief description of the mass transit programs:
The University of Alberta offers three such programs:
UNIVERSAL TRANSIT PASS (U-PASS)
http://uofa.ualberta.ca/upass
The Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) provides all full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students with a transit pass that is valid 24 hours a day, seven days a week on all forms of municipal transit during the terms that students purchase the U-Pass. The U-Pass is discounted by 66 per cent of the full price. The university subsidizes the cost of the pass to facilitate the discount.
FACULTY/STAFF ADMIN PASS
https://www.onecard.ualberta.ca/transit
All faculty and staff receive a limited-use transit pass at no charge. This pass allows staff members to travel at no charge between North Campus, South Campus and Enterprise Square, as well as the Royal Alexandra Hospital, via City of Edmonton light rail transit. This facilitates staff-share requirements. The university also subsidizes the cost of this pass.
INTER-CAMPUS SHUTTLE
All staff, students and faculty traveling between North Campus and Campus Saint-Jean are eligible for free shuttle service, operating hourly during school hours.
Guaranteed Return Trip Program
No
A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:
---
Carpool/Vanpool Programs
Yes
A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA CARPOOL PROGRAM
http://www.asinfo.ualberta.ca/ParkingServices/ParkingInitiatives.aspx
The university offers staff and student subscribers premium-location carpool parking stalls in high-demand facilities. Current carpool parking locations are in the Jubilee Carpark adjacent to the Edmonton Clinic Health Academy in the heart of North Campus, in the Windsor Carpark on the Northwest side of North Campus, at the Peter Lougheed Leadership College, and in Lot E next to the Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Science.
A carpool is defined as three or more staff or students, residing at different addresses, who choose to drive together as their regular means of commuting to the university. All members of the carpool, as well as all vehicles that may be used in the carpool, must be registered with Parking Services. Carpool members are assigned one carpool permit to share, and they share the cost of the permit. The permit is transferable among any vehicles registered in association with the carpool. Only one registered vehicle may be parked at any given time with the carpool permit. Any additional vehicle(s) parked must display a valid parking permit.
Parking Operations will arrange to split the cost of the carpool permit equally among the members and collect it through any accepted means of payment (payroll deduction, monthly credit card, debit).
STUDENTS’ UNION CARPOOL AND RIDE SHARE MATCHING SERVICE
The University of Alberta Students’ Union also promotes carpool.ca, a service that will attempt to match individuals with similar commuting needs.
Car Sharing Program
Yes
None
A brief description of the car sharing program:
The university has partnered with Pogo, a local company that operates a commercial car-sharing program available to any of the university's staff, students and visitors who subscribe to the service. The partnership agreement provides free parking for Pogo users in designated campus areas.
EV Recharging Stations
Yes
None
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
There are four Level 2 charging stations—one for public use and three for university fleet vehicles. They are located at Lister Hall (fleet only), Stadium Car Park (one fleet, one public), and Augustana Campus (fleet only). The stations are being monitored for usage so that additional stations may be added as required.
Telecommuting and Condensed Work Week Programs
Yes
None
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
The university makes telecommuting arrangements or arrangements to work from a different location on a case-by-case basis. These arrangements have been put into place for both academic and support staff. The arrangements are negotiated between the manager and the staff member to meet the needs of both the institution and the employee; and assistance is provided with benefits and other necessary arrangements (e.g. Workers Compensation Board requirements). Examples include support staff such as medical transcriptionists and academic staff such as faculty and management staff.
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:
MODIFIED HOURS OF WORK FOR SUPPORT STAFF
The University of Alberta’s Support Staff Agreement contains specific terms for Modified Hours of Work which cover both compressed work weeks and flexible hours.
The Article (4.05) states:
(a) Where shifts and/or hours of work, different from those contemplated in clause 4.02 are initially proposed, the following terms will apply:
(i) The proposed terms must not result in a gain or loss in benefits or rights under this Agreement.
(ii) The proposal will not negate any terms in the Agreement; and any modifications must be specified in writing, including the positions or individuals to whom it will apply.
(iii) Such a proposal may only be implemented where the Union and the Employer have agreed, in writing, to the required modifications of the terms of this Collective Agreement, and the majority of the employees affected have approved. Modified hours of work may be proposed by either the employees or the employer, and are implemented on a case-by-case basis, either for groups or individual employees. Terms of the agreement vary on a case-by-case basis.
MODIFIED HOURS OF WORK FOR ACADEMIC STAFF
Generally, academic staff at the university are self-scheduling, or they negotiate hours of work with their managers. This allows individuals or groups of individuals to work hours that meet the needs of both the individual and the institution. The agreements with the academic staff association are silent with respect to hours of work.
Other Strategies to Reduce the Impacts of Commuting
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
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBLE PARTIES
Parking Services Information:
Randa Kachkar
Associate Director, Parking Services
Ancillary Services
Bike Library Information:
Christopher Avelar
Team Lead, Involvement
Students' Union
Destyni Deluca
Operations Coordinator
Sustain SU, Students' Union
Telecommuting and Condensed Work Week Information:
Kiersten Crane
Senior HR Partner
Human Resource Services
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.