| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.50 |
| Liaison | Amy Kadrie |
| Submission Date | Jan. 31, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Rochester
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Jim
Chodak Manager Fleet Services |
"---"
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:
Over 100 secured bikes locations are provided in our fully enclosed, weather-protected, swipe-access bike cage located on the ground level of one of the University's garages. There are an additional 8 bicycle lockers than can be rented on campus. Additionally, there are 1,149 bicycle storage racks throughout the campuses. For a small fee, users of the swipe-access cage, bicycle lockers, or the bicycle racks can purchase shower access to URMC's Fitness & Wellness Center. The University also offers free registration for bicycles owned by University students and employees. The University also has installed two free-standing bicycle repair stations for use by students, employees, and visitors.
http://rochester.edu/parking/options/Biking.html
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:
The University provides students with covered bicycle racks that students and employees can store their bikes it during winter months or during rainstorms. There are over 500 free parking spots that university members can take advantage of. In addition to the covered bike racks for a small fee bikers can store their bikes in our fully enclosed, weather-protected, padlocked bike cage located on the ground level of the hospital's ramp garage.
Students can safely store their bikes for the winter in Spurrier Gym starting in late November free of charge and their bikes will be released in March.
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:
The University views our standing in the greater Rochester community to be one of inclusion and collaboration, not exclusivity. In this regard, the University has been and continues to be an active partner with the City of Rochester and Genesee Transportation Council the development and implementation of region-wide bicycle planning. The attached link to the City's website on Bicycle Planning lists many times the participation of the University in the development of the 2011 Bicycle Plan. Additionally, we are working with the City of Rochester in the final design documents for the construction of the University of Rochester Cycle Track that will extend safe cycling transport into the community from the campus. This project was a major part of the 2011 Bicycle Plan recommendations.
Additionally, the University has been involved in the feasibility planning for a region-wide bicycle sharing program that includes the installation of several bike docking stations on both the academic and medical campuses. The final plan recommendations were issued in January 2015.
Finally, the University has participated in the development of a Bicycle Boulevard program with the City of Rochester. This Bike Boulevard was a major recommendation of the 2011 Bicycle Plan and includes the University as a major destination for the boulevard planning.
http://www.cityofrochester.gov/bikerochester
http://rocbikeshare.org
http://www.cityofrochester.gov/bikeblvd
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:
The program started in 2004 and has flourished and is one of the most popular services of the Students' Association. City Cycles is the University of Rochester's free bicycle lending program. Sponsored by the Students' Association. City Cycles aims to promote bicycling as an attractive and sustainable mode of transportation for the University of Rochester community. The program accomplishes this goal by providing high-quality cycling equipment and services as an alternative to having a car on campus. Students and members of Goergen Athletic Center can reserve bikes at the front desk to the athletic center during regular business hours. The program has 17 bikes and helmets available for use. City Cycles operates from early Spring through the Fall, and closes down for the winter.
http://sa.rochester.edu/sa/senate/projects/citycycles/
Mass Transit Programs
Yes
A brief description of the mass transit programs:
The University operates a shuttle services that provides both internal campus circulation as well as shuttle service into the community. Several shuttle routes operate throughout the year and are free for University students and employees by showing their University ID. System wide, the shuttle services averages over 40 passengers per hour service hour which places this metric close to the 51.43 passengers per hours reported by the Rochester Genesee Regional Transit Authority in 2012. Overall ridership for academic year 2013-2014 was over 1 million passengers for the Shuttle system.
Besides the shuttle service operated by the University, the regional transit system has heavily invested in transit services and amenities. Currently there are over 340 transit trips per weekday that access the academic and medical campuses. The transit authority has constructed unique transit stations around the campus that provide real time information and bicycle storage. The University does sell to students and employees bus passes and provides bus passengers with 26 free one-day parking permits as well as guaranteed ride home program.
http://rochester.edu/parking/options/busesandshuttles.html
http://rochester.edu/parking/options/rts.html
Guaranteed Return Trip Program
Yes
A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:
The "guaranteed ride home" addresses transportation problems that crop up during the workday; an example would be someone who rode to work in a carpool or on the bus, but who must leave work early because his child has become ill at school. A cab takes the employee home, and the University pays for the ride.
http://www.rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=612
Carpool/Vanpool Programs
Yes
A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
On-line carpool and vanpool matching services are provided through Zimride and are open to any University employee. To take advantage of carpool savings, all participating members must have a registered vehicle and work similar hours. In addition to using less gas, participants benefit from reduced parking rates and preferred parking locations. Parking permit savings range from 50% off annual parking rates to FREE parking- depends on the number of people carpooling.
Each passenger in the carpool or vanpool receives 26 occasional parking permits to use throughout the year for those times when you are unable to ride in the carpool. The permit allows you to park in the same lot as the carpool lot, or, in the case where riders are split between campuses, you can make arrangements to park in the lot closer to your worksite.
In the case of a verified emergency, the University offers a free guaranteed ride home for carpool and vanpool participants.
http://rochester.edu/parking/assets/pdf/Carpoolguidelines.pdf
Car Sharing Program
Yes
None
A brief description of the car sharing program:
The University has a business relationship with Zipcar, a national car sharing company. There are 10 vehicles that are all available for students and staff who are members of this service. Once a membership is approved, drivers can then reserve the vehicle via the Web site for events, appointments and day-trips for the upcoming year. Management of the program is administered by Zipcar via the Web site and phone, allowing reservations to be made at any time of day or night. Zipcar is the largest University car sharing program in the country. Departmental accounts are now available to provide employees access to car sharing when on University business.
http://www.zipcar.com/rochester
EV Recharging Stations
Yes
None
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
The University has in total 6 EV recharging stations located on River Campus (the main campus), the Medical Center, and College Town.
Telecommuting and Condensed Work Week Programs
Yes
None
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
Telecommuting represented 0.9% of the mode split for employees from the most recent mode share survey.
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:
The University encourages departments whenever practical to provide flexibility in work
schedules for staff members who are unable to work regular full-time or regular part-time hours throughout the year. By providing flexibility in scheduling, the University may be able to retain valued employees and maximize savings. Flexible schedules should be arranged only if it is mutually convenient to do so; in essence, the department and the employee should develop a partnership to ensure that the required work can be completed given the schedule change. In addition, the University encourages departments to review staffing levels and work cycles when vacancies occur to determine the feasibility of reduced appointments (less than twelve months),
part-time jobs, or job sharing. In some instances, use of temporary help or a Time-As-Reported (TAR) employee may be the most cost-effective approach to staffing.
Other Strategies to Reduce the Impacts of Commuting
Yes
None
A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:
The University is partnered with the city of Rochester to offer $9,000 to employees who purchase a primary residence in the city neighborhoods closest to the River Campus and the Medical Center. 63 employees have closed on a home using this program since 2008.
http://www.rochester.edu/working/hr/benefits/housing/home_ownership.pdf
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)?:
Yes
A brief description of other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting:
Well-U offers a variety of free programs to connect University employees with better health. They offer classes, activities, and sessions that can help to improve employee health. There's even opportunities to learn to be a better city bike rider.
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.