| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.94 |
| Liaison | Emily Vollmer |
| Submission Date | Dec. 19, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Virginia Tech
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Jeri
Baker Director of Parking and Transportation Parking Services |
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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:
Both gyms on campus have shower facilities that are available to all bicyclists on campus, as well as lockers. Some additional buildings, including the new Goodwin Hall, have shower facilities for employees.
The Alternative Transportation Center opened in fall 2013 and serves to better meet the needs of campus commuters by offering an array of information and services – including multi-modal route maps, transportation brochures, tools for self-service bike repair, and one-on-one bicycle maintenance lessons at the Hokie Bike Hub, all of which are free to campus affiliates. The Alternative Transportation Center promotes and encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation to get to, from, and around campus. Its lobby hours are Monday – Friday 9:00am – 6:00pm and it is staffed by a team of Alternative Transportation Assistants and Interns.
In 2013 Virginia Tech installed its first ever fix-it bike stations across campus. The fix-it stations, conveniently located in several highly trafficked areas on campus, include all the tools needed to perform basic bike maintenance. There are now five stations, located near the main entrances of the Squires/ Graduate Life Center Plaza, Dietrick Hall, Randolph Hall, Pamplin Hall and War Memorial Gym.
The local NBC TV affiliate WSLS featured the newly installed Fix-It Stations:
http://www.wsls.com/story/22896455/virginia-tech-adds-free-bike-repair
The local CBS TV affiliate WDBJ featured the newly installed Fix-It Stations:
http://m.wdbj7.com/Bicycle-maintenance-stations-installed-at-Virginia-Tech/-/20129166/21150784/-/ujoggq/-/index.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 ample bike parking (short term) on campus and has an architectural standard for all racks. Alternative Transportation regularly seeks to expand the supply of bike parking on campus, a process that is guided by the Bicycle Parking Master Plan which was created in 2014 and can be found at the following URL.
http://facilities.vt.edu/planning-construction/other-planning/bicycle-master-plan.html
Covered bike parking is also provided on campus, with special focus on the residential side of campus. The Bicycle Parking Master Plan and recent Parking and Transportation Master Plan both advocate for increasing the amount.
http://facilities.vt.edu/planning-construction/other-planning/parking-and-transportation-master-plan.html
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:
Virginia Tech has a Bicycle Parking Master Plan, a Parking and Transportation Master Plan which calls for increased usage of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies and is in the final design process for a new Multi Modal Transit Facility. Additionally there is a campus bike policy. Plans for each of these can be found at the links below:
http://facilities.vt.edu/planning-construction/other-planning/bicycle-master-plan.html
http://facilities.vt.edu/planning-construction/other-planning/parking-and-transportation-master-plan.html
http://www.tcs.vt.edu/alternative/mmtf.asp
http://www.policies.vt.edu/5005.pdf
Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
No
A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
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Mass Transit Programs
Yes
A brief description of the mass transit programs:
Virginia Tech has a student transit fee that covers students riding the local transit, Blacksburg Transit, fare-free. Virginia Tech offers reduced cost monthly permits for our regional transit (Smart Way).
To view articles about Blacksburg Transit reaching its 3 millionth and 3.5 millionth riders, respectively, please see: http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2010/05/2010-442.html and http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/20395/bt-celebrates-3.5-million-riders-milestone
Guaranteed Return Trip Program
Yes
A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:
Virginia Tech offers an Emergency Ride Home Services (which operates between 9:00am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday) to all participants in our Commuter Alternative Programs (Bike, Bus and Walk and Carpool permits) and Vanpool.
Carpool/Vanpool Programs
Yes
A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
Virginia Tech partners with the local ride-matching organization RIDE Solutions, which primarily helps employees find carpoolers for daily commuting. Virginia Tech also partners with Zimride to facilitate other ridesharing opportunities.
Virginia Tech offers a vanpool program to faculty and staff which includes benefits such as subsidized parking permits, reserved parking spaces, access to inexpensive fuel, and access to an Emergency Ride Home program. Each participant also received five daily parking permits for their private vehicle.
For information about RIDE Solutions please visit: http://www.ridesolutions.org/workplace/vt/index.shtml
For information about Zimride please visit: http://www.zimride.com/vt
For an article about the new Zimride program at Virginia Tech please see:
http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/20504/zimride-comes-to-virginia-tech
Car Sharing Program
Yes
None
A brief description of the car sharing program:
As the student population grows at Virginia Tech and resources remain limited for additional on-campus parking, we have found a creative and innovative solution to the problem: Zip Car. Car sharing meets the needs of those who need a car occasionally, while being sensitive to the surrounding community and environment. Car sharing reduces the demand for parking and results in greater sustainability while maintaining individuals' mobility.
Zip Car vehicles are positioned for easy access to students, faculty, staff and the local community, and are now available on the Virginia Tech campus. Zip Car has provided four EPA SmartWay certified vehicles.
EV Recharging Stations
No
None
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
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Telecommuting and Condensed Work Week Programs
Yes
None
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
Flexible work options (FWO) are alternatives to the traditional "8-to-5" workday, the standard workweek, or the traditional workplace. FWO can help employees balance work and personal responsibilities while meeting business needs and objectives.
Supervisors can also use FWO to promote productivity, improve job satisfaction, and develop management and leadership skills. Flexibility can enhance recruitment and retention of valuable employees. There are two types of FWO available Telework and Alternate Work Schedules. Telework, also called telecommuting, is the execution of all or part of job responsibilities at an alternate work site for a minimum of eight hours per week or 32 hours a month. Occasional telework does not require the completion of a telework agreement. It is also accepted practice for Teaching and Research Faculty to carry out their work at alternate locations, as well as on campus. A formal telework agreement is not required in such situations.
Virginia Tech’s Alternate Work Site and Telework Policy, No. 4325, addresses expectations and conditions regarding University and Classified Staff, and Administrative/Professional Faculty, who may, with supervisor approval, work from home or another remote location. Implementation is facilitated by a set of guidelines which speak to related issues such as leave, performance expectations, and characteristics of appropriate positions, family caregiving, and more. An on-line agreement form automatically routes employees’ completed forms to supervisors for approval, then to a central location where all active and pending agreements can be viewed by users and program coordinator. Section E of the guidelines is devoted to security procedures regarding technology and the protection of confidential University data.
Announcements and articles regarding the telework option appear in VT News regularly.
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:
Flexible work options (FWO), such as a condensed work week, are alternatives to the traditional "8-to-5" workday, the standard workweek, or the traditional workplace. FWO can help employees balance work and personal responsibilities while meeting business needs and objectives. Supervisors can also use FWO to promote productivity, improve job satisfaction, and develop management and leadership skills. Flexibility can enhance recruitment and retention of valuable employees.
Condensed work week and other alternate scheduling options fall under Virginia Tech Policy 4300, Hours of Work, which applies to all University and Classified Staff, as well as Administrative/Professional Faculty. Implementation is facilitated by a set of guidelines which address related issues such as leave, performance expectations, characteristics of appropriate positions and more. An on-line agreement form automatically routes employees’ completed forms to supervisors for approval, then to a central location where all active and pending agreements can be viewed by users and program coordinator. Announcements and articles regarding condensed work week and other alternate scheduling options appear in VT News regularly.
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:
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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:
Preferred parking is provided for vanpool and carpool parking passes. Furthermore a discount is offered a special bus, bike, walk parking pass through the commuter alternative program.
Optional Fields
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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