Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 51.72
Liaison Alex Frank
Submission Date Aug. 1, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Wisconsin-Madison
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Alex Frank
Sustainability Analyst
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Support for Cyclists and Pedestrians 

Does the institution provide secure bicycle storage (not including office space), shower facilities, and lockers for bicycle commuters?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:
There are a number of secure bicycle storage options across campus (https://fpmts.wiscweb.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2017/12/BikeLockers-CagesMap.pdf) including bicycle lockers with areas for equipment storage. In addition, there are a number of showers across campus (https://cpd.wiscweb.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2017/03/Shower_Locations_Map_updated.pdf). Grainger Hall maintains bicycle storage, lockers, and shower facilities.

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:
UW-Madison maintains over 15,000 bicycle parking stalls covering the entire campus. In addition, all campus residents are able to apply for use of bike lockers or bike cages (https://fpmts.wiscweb.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2017/12/BikeLockers-CagesMap.pdf)

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:
Bicycle and Pedestrian issues are included in the Long Range Transportation Plan included in the Campus Master Plan (https://fpmcpla.wiscweb.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2017/10/Appen-3-Long-Range-Transportation-Plan-2016-1019-low-res.pdf). Page 61 to 70 details the first recommendation to "Emphasize Walking and Biking as Primary Forms of Transportation To and Around Campus". Introducing the recommendation the Campus Master Plan notes: "Walking and biking are fundamental and widespread forms of transportation on campus, and the university places a high priority on providing connected and comfortable facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists. Moving forward, the following should be priorities for enhancing the campus walking and biking experience: • Improve intersections with modal conflicts and transit delay • Create grade separation at N. Charter Street and Linden Drive • Address difficult crossings for pedestrians and bicyclists at other campus intersections • Complete the gaps in the campus walking and biking network • Enhance the comfort and operations of the University Avenue corridor • Increase sidewalk capacity and improve the pedestrian experience in south campus • Enhance supporting and end-of-trip bicycle facilities"

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:
UW-Madison participates in two local bicycle-sharing programs (https://transportation.wisc.edu/bicycling/bike-sharing/): Red Bike Program: - Budget Bicycle Center runs a long-term bike rental program. Participants have to put down a deposit or credit card imprint when renting a bike but that deposit is returned when the bike and lock is returned (making the total cost free!). Bikes are serviced for free during the summer by Budget Bicycle Center. The only maintenance required of the rider is a weekly tire pressure check. Madison BCycle: - Madison BCycle is an urban bike sharing program. There are over 20 active stations throughout downtown, with 4 stations located on campus. UW Transportation Services, in partnership with BCycle, has reduced membership prices for UW students, employees and affiliates, to just $20 per year with a UW email account.

Mass Transit Programs 

Does the institution offer free or reduced price transit passes and/or operate a free campus shuttle for commuters?:
Yes

A brief description of the mass transit programs:
Students pay for transit passes via segregated fees (https://www.asm.wisc.edu/resources/buspass/). They pay $55 per semester, which covers part of the cost of the campus circulator buses and for city transit passes. The value of a city transit pass is over $700. Employees pay $48 per year for the same pass (https://transportation.wisc.edu/bus/employee-bus-pass-program/). The UW-Madison campus bus routes are fare-free for all riders. All campus bus stops (with real-time pick-up info) can be found online (http://www.map.wisc.edu/) or through the UW-Madison Official App (https://mobile.wisc.edu/apps/).

Guaranteed Return Trip Program 

Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:
UW-Madison offers an Emergency Ride Home (ERH) program which is designed for UW-Madison employees who choose an alternative to driving alone to campus (https://transportation.wisc.edu/commuter-solutions/emergency-ride-home/). In an emergency, employees may use a pre-printed voucher to cover the cost of the cab ride home. The intention of ERH is to serve as a safety net so those who choose not to drive to campus need not fear being stranded in an emergency.

Carpool/Vanpool Programs 

Does the institution participate in a car/vanpool or ride sharing program and/or offer reduced parking fees or preferential parking for car/vanpoolers?:
Yes

A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
UW-Madison participates in the Wisconsin State Vanpool Program (https://transportation.wisc.edu/vanpool/). Vanpools are groups of 8 to 15 commuters sharing their ride to work in a passenger van that is owned, insured and serviced by the Wisconsin State Vanpool Program. Passengers share the cost of operating the van by paying a fare based on fixed and variable costs, the number of riders, and the number of miles driven. Participants of the state vanpool program will automatically receive the campus base lot assignment requested and one alternate area assignment, if needed, for a backup driver. UW-Madison Transportation Services also administers a carpool program for faculty and staff (https://transportation.wisc.edu/carpool/). Six (6) complimentary, temporary daily parking passes per carpool member, per parking year, are provided for use when the main permit is unavailable, or a member cannot ride in the carpool that day. The cost of the parking permit is shared among the group.

Car Sharing Program 

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?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the car sharing program:
UW-Madison has Zipcars on campus and offers discounted memberships for students and employees (https://transportation.wisc.edu/commuter-solutions/carshare/). In addition, UW-Madison departments can sign up for departmental Zipcar memberships and allow their (state-driver approved) employees to reserve and use Zipcars for work purposes; rentals charges can then be directed to the department, rather than the employee.

EV Recharging Stations 

Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
UW-Madison has 9 locations with Level 2 EV charging locations on campus (8 Chargepoint networked locations and one “dumb” unit, https://transportation.wisc.edu/parking-lots/). Each location has two plugs and there is no charge for use of these units.

Telecommuting and Condensed Work Week Programs 

Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
UW-Madison maintains a telecommuting policy (https://www.ohr.wisc.edu/ohr/telecommuting/index.htm) which allows University departments to approve telecommuting on a case-by-case basis.

Does the institution offer a condensed work week option that reduces employee commuting (as a matter of policy or standard practice)?:
No

A brief description of the condensed work week option:
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Other Strategies to Reduce the Impacts of Commuting 

Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
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)?:
Yes

A brief description of other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting:
Additional strategies to reduce commuting impacts include: - A flexible pay as you go parking program for those who normally take other modes (https://transportation.wisc.edu/permits/flex-parking/) - SAFEwalk nighttime walking program (https://transportation.wisc.edu/safewalk/) - Park and Ride lots and shuttles (https://transportation.wisc.edu/park-and-ride/) - University bicycle resource center for DIY repairs and bicycle-related classes (https://transportation.wisc.edu/bicycling/university-bicycle-resource-center/) - Bicycle air and repair stations (https://fpmts.wiscweb.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2017/12/Bicycle-Air-Repair-Stations.pdf)

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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.