| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.59 |
| Liaison | Chris Adam |
| Submission Date | Sept. 7, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Dawson College
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.60 / 2.00 |
Chris
Adam Coordinator Sustainability Office |
Does the institution provide secure bicycle storage (not including office space), shower facilities, and lockers for bicycle commuters?:
A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:
Outdoor bike racks are on campus in three locations and can accommodate 100 bicycles. They are part of the routine security checks. They are also monitored by camera with internal screens inside the security area. Another 50 spaces are available adjacent to the campus.
Shower facilities and lockers are available to all bike users within the athletics area of the college.
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)?:
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
Bicycles can be kept on site for days but this question is not applicable as there are no students or staff living on site.
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?:
A brief description of the bicycle and pedestrian plan or policy:
Dawson has a biking committee that is overseeing bike use, safety and opportunities for education.
Dawson has no campus streets but adheres to all provincial bicycle regulations for bikers. Dawson faces one of Montreal's longest bike corridors into downtown and gives reduced rates to rent the city "Bixi bike" computerized systems that link with the subway system with 7000 bikes at 600 stations. Preferred routes for new bikers are identified and guided routes will begin in the Fall of 2020 for first-time users.
Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
Since 2018, Dawson has partnered with Bixi bikes (bike sharing) of Montreal. Bixi bike reductions of 20% are also offered to all employees. This campaign started for 20 employees and has now been extended. In 2019, 30 free monthly Bixi passes were given to students and staff. The cost was absorbed by the Sustainability Office operational budget.
Does the institution offer free or reduced price transit passes and/or operate a free campus shuttle for commuters?:
A brief description of the mass transit programs:
Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:
In 2019, a fund was created that permits Dawson bike users to take a taxi home when weather conditions or personal issues come up that warrant a quick trip. This system works on a honor system and any funds reimbursed by the sustainability office with the presentation of appropriate receipts. The maximum taxi ride $50.
Does the institution participate in a car/vanpool or ride sharing program and/or offer reduced parking fees or preferential parking for car/vanpoolers?:
A brief description of the carpool/vanpool 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?:
A brief description of the car sharing program:
Although there is car-pooling software as part of the college main system, it is not in use. This should be reviewed.
Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
Pre COVID, each manager had the discretion to arrange tele-commuting, depending on specific employee work responsibilities at the college. In 2020, written protocol was established outlining the guidelines with which individuals or departments could operate from home.
Does the institution offer a condensed work week option that reduces employee commuting (as a matter of policy or standard practice)?:
A brief description of the condensed work week option:
Summer schedules in July are condensed to 4 days a week for all staff every year for the previous three years. At other times staff can, upon agreement of their manager, work from home and have computer equipment available from the college to continue to access important work-related files from home.
Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
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)?:
A brief description of other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting:
Dawson has increased its on-site parking fees during the last three years to $10.00 per day and caps its on-site parking at a total of 85 spots for a staff population of 1100 and a student population of about 10,000 (day and evening).
Explicit "biker validation" activities are implemented several times a year for bikers by Facilities Management staff. Welcome coffee, snacks and positive conversation near the bike racks are an important part of the strategy to encourage and welcome bikers (2 events per year).
Workshops on winter biking and bike repair were offered to employees.
Facilities Management employees can travel by bike under a purchased "corporate pass" (Bixi Bikes).
A permanent outdoor bike repair station is available to all bikers.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Bike sharing - Bixi Montreal: https://bixi.com/en
The Transport Association of Montreal (STM) gives a reduced student rate for subway and bus use.
We applied for "Velo-Sympathique" and received honourable mention for our bike program. A formed committee of Dawson employees will resubmit for certification next year.
Biciborne - bike repair station: http://biciborne.com/en/
Bike sharing - Bixi Montreal: https://bixi.com/en
The Transport Association of Montreal (STM) gives a reduced student rate for subway and bus use.
We applied for "Velo-Sympathique" and received honourable mention for our bike program. A formed committee of Dawson employees will resubmit for certification next year.
Biciborne - bike repair station: http://biciborne.com/en/
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.