| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.76 |
| Liaison | Lindsey MacDonald |
| Submission Date | June 6, 2023 |
Western Washington University
OP-16: Commute Modal Split
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.54 / 5.00 |
Ashley
Olson Data Ambassador Sustainability Engagement Institute |
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment:
Full-time equivalent of employees:
Has the institution gathered data about student commuting behavior?:
Total percentage of students that use more sustainable commuting options as their primary mode of transportation:
A brief description of the method(s) used to gather data about student commuting:
Sustainable Transportation is included in the 2nd Year Survey, which consists of a mixture of open ended, multiple choice, and numerical response questions. This survey targeted freshmen (including running start students) who remained at WWU for at least a second year. These students were completing their second complete year on campus at the time of the survey. As part of OSR’s efforts to paint a longitudinal portrait of Western’s students, these students also were surveyed immediately prior to beginning their Western careers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic an updated transportation survey was not administered in 2021 as planned, the next transportation survey has been scheduled to be administered in Fall 2023. There has been no significant shifts in commute modal split over time. For this report data was carried over from our 2019 report.
Has the institution gathered data about employee commuting behavior?:
Total percentage of employees that use more sustainable commuting options as their primary mode of transportation:
A brief description of the method(s) used to gather data about employee commuting:
All employees are asked to participate in the statewide transportation survey. Although the state requires a 70% response rate, Western’s goal is 100%.
Western has surveyed employees every other year, starting in 1997, using the same methodology, and during the same time of year.
The state provides a survey ( either write-in – fill in the bubble – type, or a secure online survey. Employees are anonymous, but are tracked, so that each only submits one survey.
Western has always succeeded in getting a survey return rate of 70% or better.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic an updated transportation survey was not administered in 2021 as planned, the next transportation survey has been scheduled to be administered in Fall 2023. There has been no significant shifts in commute modal split over time. For this report data was carried over from our 2019 report.
Percentage of students and employees that use the following as their primary mode of transportation:
| Percentage of students (0-100) | Percentage of employees (0-100) | |
| Single-occupancy vehicle | 20 | 57.90 |
| Zero-emissions vehicle | 2.97 | 1.26 |
| Walk, cycle, or other non-motorized mode | 41 | 18.15 |
| Vanpool or carpool | 6 | 10 |
| Public transport or campus shuttle | 30.03 | 12.69 |
| Motorcycle, motorized scooter/bike, or moped | 0 | 0 |
| Distance education / telecommute | --- | --- |
Website URL where information about student or employee commuting is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
After Zipcar pulled out of our market, transportation services conducted a couple of searches and there are not any companies interested in operating a similar rideshare program at Western. They will continue to pursue a rideshare program on campus. Additionally, they are working with the FDO fleet manager to see if there’s any companies interested in a rental fleet management program for Western owned vehicles. If there is, this might also be an opportunity to incorporate a rideshare for students and employees. However, this is in the initial discussion phase and any future program is several years away (2022).
Transportation data is from 2019 as our transportation survey was not administered on schedule due to the pandemic. There are updated surveys planned for students, faculty, and staff to gather updated data over the next fiscal year.
After Zipcar pulled out of our market, transportation services conducted a couple of searches and there are not any companies interested in operating a similar rideshare program at Western. They will continue to pursue a rideshare program on campus. Additionally, they are working with the FDO fleet manager to see if there’s any companies interested in a rental fleet management program for Western owned vehicles. If there is, this might also be an opportunity to incorporate a rideshare for students and employees. However, this is in the initial discussion phase and any future program is several years away (2022).
Transportation data is from 2019 as our transportation survey was not administered on schedule due to the pandemic. There are updated surveys planned for students, faculty, and staff to gather updated data over the next fiscal year.
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.