| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 75.01 |
| Liaison | Jen Crothers |
| Submission Date | Aug. 4, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of British Columbia
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Krista
Falkner Transportation Engineer Campus and Community Planning |
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:
UBC has 10 free secure bicycle cages located across campus as well as 172 bike lockers that are available at $10/month. There are public shower facilities located in all the major recreation centres across campus, which are open to UBC students, faculty and staff, residents and visitors. More information about cycling facilities is available online at: http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/transportation-planning/transportation-options/cycling.
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)?:
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
UBC has a mix of covered and uncovered bike parking spaces adjacent to all buildings across campus. For student residential buildings there are secure bike cages located within 100 m of all current residences and with new student residences, secure bike storage is located within the building.
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?:
A brief description of the bicycle/pedestrian policy and/or network:
There are a number of various cycling facilities for commuting to and around campus. In general, all local roads are shared facilities with low speeds and low volumes of motorized vehicles. The roads used to get to/ from campus have bike lanes or paved shoulders for cyclists, accommodating the high volume of cycling commuters at the campus.
Also, within the campus core is the public realm where pedestrians and cyclists share the space as they travel around campus. This area is termed as the Slow Zone to create a space that is safe and enjoyable for all. Cyclists that wish to ride at higher speeds are urged to use the local roads, not the pathways within the public realm.
In 2014, UBC was awarded the prestigious Honor Award for Excellence in Landscape Architecture from the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), recognizing UBC’s achievements in revitalizing the public realm to create a vibrant, animated, pedestrianized campus. For more information, see: http://sustain.ubc.ca/sites/sustain.ubc.ca/files/uploads/CampusSustainability/CS_Images/SCUP2014_Board_03.pdf.
For more information on plans that guide on-campus transportation planning:
UBC Transportation Plan: http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/transportation-planning/transportation-plans
Public Realm Plan: http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/planning/policies-plans/public-realm-plan
Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
UBC offers two bicycle sharing programs:
BIKE CO-OP: PURPLE AND YELLOW FLEET
http://bikecoop.ca/programs/purpleyellow/
The Bike Co-op is a student-run organization dedicated to making UBC a better place for cyclists and their bikes. The Purple and Yellow Bike Project is a fleet of used bikes that are available for members to use on the UBC campus. Bikes are locked with same keyed locks. Whenever members see a bike, they are free to unlock it and ride it away; the person that left it there will have to find another one.
STAFF BIKE SHARE PROGRAM
http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/transportation-planning/transportation-options/cycling/bike-share-programs
UBC Vancouver staff have access to 5 bikes to sign out and use for up to three hours.
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?:
A brief description of the certification, including date certified and level:
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 program(s), including availability, participation levels, and specifics about discounts or subsidies offered (including pre-tax options):
Thanks to a partnership between TransLink, the Alma Mater Society (AMS), and the Ministry of Transportation, students at UBC are eligible for a monthly all-zone transit pass. The U-Pass BC program costs students $36.75/month and provides unlimited access to Bus, SeaBus and SkyTrain services across the region. The program is mandatory for all eligible members of UBC’s Alma Mater Society and the cost is automatically included as part of student fees. http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/transportation-planning/u-pass-compass-card.
Since UBC pioneered the U-Pass program in 2003, transit ridership to UBC has quadrupled from 19,000 trips per weekday in 1997 to over 78,000 in 2013. The U-Pass BC program is now open to all public post-secondary institutions across Metro Vancouver.
Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip (GRT) program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
A brief description of the GRT program:
UBC’s Emergency Ride Home program provides commuters who regularly vanpool, carpool, bike, walk, or take transit with a reliable ride home via a cab when an emergency arises. Transportation Planning will reimburse 90% of the cost before tip. http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/transportation-planning/transportation-options/emergency-ride-home.
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:
UBC Parking supports carpooling by allowing people to register multiple cars on one parking permit. This encourages people to drive together and share the cost of parking. http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/transportation-planning/transportation-options/automobiles/car-vanpooling.
UBC promotes carpooling/vanpooling programs that match UBC students, staff, and faculty with other carpool/vanpool members through Jack Bell RideShare. Jack Bell RideShare is a charitable non-profit organization that operates Canada’s largest formal vanpool program. It is also the only web-based ride-matching system servicing all commuters and locations in British Columbia. There is preferential parking for people using the Jack Bell RideShare program. https://ubc.ride-share.com/en/my/
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:
UBC supports the growing use of car share programs in Vancouver by providing parking spaces within existing parking lots, curbside or in neighbourhoods. Within the past year the number of car2go spaces on campus has significantly increased and is very well used. There are also modo, and zipcar spaces accommodated on campus and within the campus neighbourhoods. http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/transportation-planning/transportation-options/automobiles/car-sharing.
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:
UBC added 18 electric vehicle charging stations in 2013. Ten stations are located at the University Services Building to power its fleet of electric vehicles. Thunderbird Parkade houses another eight stations to power electric cars driven onto campus by faculty, staff, and the general public—free of charge. http://news.ubc.ca/2013/06/10/electrifying-campus-drivers/.
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:
The Focus on People: Workplace Practices at UBC framework outlines our need to promote flexible work arrangements as it relates to creating healthy, sustainable workplaces. As of May 2009, telecommuting guidelines have been established for Management & Professional (M&P) staff. Moving forward, Human Resources will review the possibility of telecommuting for our other employee groups. This will require a review of the respective collective agreements and handbooks, as well as consultation with administrators and the respective union executives. http://www.hr.ubc.ca/faculty-staff-resources/telecommuting/
Does the institution offer a condensed work week option for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
A brief description of the condensed work week program:
UBC provides flexibility in UBC collective agreements to allow for condensed work weeks where it is operationally feasible.
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:
With the introduction of “The University Community on Campus – UBC’s Housing Action Plan”, UBC is dedicating up to 30% of its future housing stock to restricted housing options exclusively for faculty and staff to help UBC build a vibrant and sustainable residential community. The housing programs introduced in the Plan will remain faculty and staff housing in perpetuity, benefiting current and future generations of UBC employees. Housing programs will be rolled out over time and reviewed regularly to ensure they continue to meet the needs of our faculty and staff in the context of changing market conditions and changing demand. http://hap.ubc.ca/.
Does the institution have other incentives or programs to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:
BIKE TO WORK WEEK
http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/transportation-planning/transportation-options/cycling/bike-work-week
UBC maintains top honours in the bi-annual, region-wide Bike to Work Week (BTWW) competition, consistently winning champion for Best Workplace 1000+ and Best in Higher Education in BC for most kilometres cycled. BTWW promotes cycling participation and education to staff and faculty through lunch hour cycling workshops, prizes, and celebration stations.
SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION MONTH
http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/transportation-planning/transportation-options/safe-and-sustainable-transportation-month
UBC launched Safe and Sustainable Transportation Month in May 2014, hosting a series of events and activities centered around encouraging safe and environmentally-friendly pedestrian and cyclist behaviours. Throughout the campaign, a series of “I Bike Here” videos were used to promote cycling.
WALK N’ ROLL TO SCHOOL PROGRAM
http://utown.ubc.ca/discovering-utown/utownubc-community-programs/walkn-roll-school
http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/news-events/newsletter/2013-11-12/more-walking-%E2%80%99n-rolling-school
The Walk n’ Roll to School program, a joint initiative of UTown@UBC and the University Neighborhoods Association (UNA), encourages neighborhood residents to choose active transportation and to promote a safe and walkable community, targeting UBC’s residential neighborhoods, University Hill Elementary School, and Norma Rose Point Elementary School.
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable transportation program(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
With over 140,000 trips to and from UBC each day, transportation planning plays an important role in ensuring that the community’s transportation needs are met with a wide variety of sustainable transportation options. Since 1997, SOV person trips have decreased by 13% while transit person trips have increased by 312%.
The 2014 UBC Transportation Plan for the Vancouver Point Grey campus is the guiding document for transportation objectives and initiatives on campus, and updates UBC's previous strategic transportation plans: http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/transportation-planning/transportation-plans.
The Fall 2013 Transportation Status Report is available online at: http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/transportation-planning/research-and-reports/transportation-status-reports.
With over 140,000 trips to and from UBC each day, transportation planning plays an important role in ensuring that the community’s transportation needs are met with a wide variety of sustainable transportation options. Since 1997, SOV person trips have decreased by 13% while transit person trips have increased by 312%.
The 2014 UBC Transportation Plan for the Vancouver Point Grey campus is the guiding document for transportation objectives and initiatives on campus, and updates UBC's previous strategic transportation plans: http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/transportation-planning/transportation-plans.
The Fall 2013 Transportation Status Report is available online at: http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/transportation-planning/research-and-reports/transportation-status-reports.
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.