University of Puget Sound
IN-4: Innovation 4

In May 2010 Puget Sound was awarded a federal transportation programming grant distributed via the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Puget Sound Regional Council. This grant was managed by Puget Sound’s Commute Trip Reduction coordinators. It funded a half-time position, $10,000 in incentive funds and $1,000 for programming over a one-year period that concluded fall 2011. The grant was instrumental in fostering or strengthening multiple transportation program enhancements: • Supported efforts for ongoing replacement of gasoline-powered vehicles with alternate fuel vehicles; e.g. in Facilities, Security and Mail Services departments. • Developed and distributed commute trip reduction marketing materials. • Conducted multiple commute trip reduction events and activities. • Established and issued various alternative transportation incentive awards. • Distributed no-cost and low-cost bus passes and assessed the program impact (managed by the Sustainability Advisory Committee Transportation Work Group). • Encouraged walking and bicycling through multiple means. Many bike racks also were added to campus. • Supported ongoing annual hosting of the City of Tacoma Bike Swap event on campus. The event gathers about 500 participants from throughout the city to promote bicycle use as well as exchange bicycles and bike equipment. • Promoted a Zipcar program established in 2010 to serve the campus community and neighboring residential and business communities. This special higher education program allows drivers under 21 years of age to use Zipcars. • Established a Loggers Commute website at http://www.pugetsound.edu/about/sustainability-at-puget-sound/resources/loggerscommute/. • Reduced commute trips to/from campus. • Assessed all faculty, and staff commute habits to guide establishment of multi-year strategic plans to manage parking and reduce commute trips. These plans will be submitted for university review and approval in fall 2012. In 2011 Puget Sound’s employee transportation coordinators were recognized with the “Leadership Award”, one of the Governor’s Top Commute Smart Awards, for their work on the above grant program. The Governor’s Commute Smart Awards celebrates communities, employers, and employees who develop exemplary, comprehensive employee commuting programs. The transportation coordinators also were recognized as Pierce Trips’ Employee Transportation Coordinators of the Year for 2011, the top award issued to representative(s) from one government, business or nonprofit entity in our county. This award also was issued in relation to their effective work through the grant program.