Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.34
Liaison Ciannat Howett
Submission Date July 25, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Emory University
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Kelly Weisinger
Director
Office of Sustainability Initiatives
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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

A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:

There are fourteen on campus shower facilities for bike commuters, with lockers available at several locations, including the Student Activity and Academic Center and Dobbs University Center. There are also two new bike Fix-It stations located at Woodruff Library and Rollins School of Public Health. Bike commuters also benefit from a weekly on-campus repair center staffed by a local bike shop and a student-driven bicycle repair center housed in a freshman dorm.


Does the institution provide short-term bicycle parking (e.g. racks) within 50 ft (15 m) of all occupied, non-residential buildings and make long-term bicycle storage available within 330 ft (100 m) of all residence halls (if applicable)?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:

There are over 80 indoor and outdoor bicycle racks located around the Emory Druid Hills Campus available to commuters. All campus buildings have short-term bicycle parking within 50 ft, with the exception of the Carlos Museum, where the closest bike rack is outside of the adjacent building.Covered storage areas with available lockers are available at numerous locations, including the Student Activity and Academic Center and Dobbs University Center, and indoor bicycle storage is available at the School of Medicine. Secure bicycle storage is available for approxiamately 30 bikes at Few Hall. All students are allowed to store bicycles long-term on bike racks adjacent to residence halls during the semester.
Bike Emory also offers Summer storage for bikes for a small fee.
A map of these locations can be found at http://bike.emory.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/files/09_137bikeemorysuitabilitymap2013_4.pdf


Does the institution have a “complete streets” or bicycle accommodation policy (or adhere to a local community policy) and/or have a continuous network of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian paths and lanes?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle/pedestrian policy and/or network:

Emory's Planning, Design, and Construction guidelines include requirements for "complete streets" that consciously support bicycle and pedestrian use. This concept is employed on all streets that Emory controls. Additionally, through advocacy by Bike Emory and others, Dekalb County recently passed a Complete Streets Policy, which will include all County-controlled streets that Emory is not able to maintain, which are main commuter routes to campus.


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:

Two locations on campus have bicycles available free of charge for use by students, faculty, and staff. Emory discontinued its comprehensive traditional bike share program in 2013, as this model was not successful on Emory's unique campus. Currently, Emory offers a semester or academic year bike rental program to our students and staff for a small fee. Bikes can be acquired for the summer as well. There are approximately 30 bikes in the program and the bikes sell out typically before the beginning of the fall semester.


Is the institution certified as a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists (U.S.) or under a similar third party certification covering non-motorized transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the certification, including date certified and level:

In 2011 Emory was named one of first 20 universities to be selected as a national Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists. Emory currently holds a Bronze level certification.


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 program(s), including availability, participation levels, and specifics about discounts or subsidies offered (including pre-tax options):

Emory provides several mass transit opportunities for students, faculty and staff.
The University provides free transit passes on the city’s MARTA transit system to staff members who sign up for the Employee Transit Subsidy Program (Transcard). This program is available to all full and part-time employees of Emory University who work at least 20 hours per week. All participants in the Transcard program give up their parking passes as a stipulation of participation in this free transit card program.

Emory also runs the “Cliff” shuttle system, serving some 46,000 faculty, staff, healthcare and student riders! The “Cliff” shuttle system is 100% alternatively fueled and is free for students and employees of Emory University. Most of the shuttles are equipped with bicycle racks (33/40) and all are fully accessible. Service extends through Emory University's main campus, Emory University Hospital and clinics, and the Clifton Corridor. The Cliff system includes two Park-n-Ride shuttles for students and employees. Commuters can park for free at these locations and ride to the Clifton Campus.


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

A brief description of the GRT program:

Emory University employees who are registered alternative commuters are eligible for the Guaranteed Ride Home Program offered by the state through the GA Commute Options program. Qualified registered participants are eligible for 5 guaranteed ride homes for emergencies and required overtime.


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:

Emory currently offers Zimride. Emory also utilizes the Georgia Commute Options ride matching service to find convenient carpooler matches for individuals interested in Carpool and Vanpool matching.


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

A brief description of the car sharing program:

Emory University participates in the Zipcar program, with numerous Zipcar locations on campus. In addition to individual users, including faculty, staff, and students, Emory Departments can register for Zipcar through their departmental accounts. As an additional incentive to registered members of Emory’s commute options program, Emory pays for the initiation fee and first year’s maintenance dues for faculty and staff.


Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
No

A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:

The southeast region's primary fuel source is coal, therefore Emory has decided not to install electric vehicle charging stations that plug into a grid that is harmful to air quality and increases our carbon emissions. Emory is thoughtfully seeking practical and effective ways to provide electric vehicle charging via renewable energy.


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

A brief description of the telecommuting program:

Emory offers telecommuting to eligible employees, as determined in coordination between the management and the employee(s), under Emory’s Alternative Work Arrangement Principles (AWA).


Does the institution offer a condensed work week option for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
Yes

A brief description of the condensed work week program:

Emory offers a compressed workweek to eligible employees, as determined in coordination between the management and the employee(s), under Emory’s Alternative Work Arrangement Principles (AWA).


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

A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:

The Faculty-in-Residence Program offer the opportunity for four regular, full-time faculty members to live at Clairmont Campus and engage with Emory students through ongoing programs and interactions. Faculty In Residence (FIRs), are selected through an application process and offer a program series based on topics that enrich the residential experience. Field trips, speakers, and open discussions provide opportunities for FIRs to live and learn with students.

Emory University also sponsors an off-campus housing website to assist students, faculty, and staff with finding housing near Emory. Listings include mileage distance from campus and generally do not exceed 4.0 miles.

Emory has also recently completed a mixed-use retail and residential site on campus to provide additional local housing. The 15 acre site sets aside 10% of the rental units for lower-earning employees. The property owner estimates that 80% percent of residents work in the Emory area, and half of that number are students; and that 35% of residents are staff of Emory or adjacent the Centers for Disease Control headquarters.


Does the institution have other incentives or programs to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
Yes

A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:

Carpool: 2 person employee carpool receives a subsidized parking permit. Carpools with 3+ participants receives a free parking permit. TPS provides a limited number of reserved spaces available on a first come, first served basis to 2+ person carpools. Vanpools are provided with a free reserved parking space. All employees registered in a commute alternative program (public transit, carpool, vanpool, bike, walk/drop off) receive an occasional parking permit with 20 free daily parks.

Emory also participates in the state-wide incentive program administered by the Georgia Commute Options. Information can be found at http://gacommuteoptions.com/.


The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable transportation program(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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