George Washington University
OP-16: Student Commute Modal Split

GW conducted a commuting survey in February 2016. The survey was designed to help learn more about commuting behavior and patterns of the GW community. Random samples of students and of employees (faculty and staff) were selected to participate. Employees included in the sample were from Foggy Bottom Campus, Mount Vernon Campus, and Virginia Science Technology Campus. The survey closed after two weeks of distribution, near the end of February 2016. The survey was distributed electronically to 1,297 employees and 1,298 students. A total of 718 faculty and staff responded, while 309 students responded, which provided response rates of 55% and 24%, respectively.

Primary transportation was considered the mode of transportation that was used to travel the greatest distance (mileage) to and from campus. For employees, telecommuting 50% or more was determined using a formula. If an employee had a benefit category of Full Time Regular Employee and commuted 2 days or less, then they were considered a teleworker who telecommuted for 50% or more of their regular work hours. If an employee had a benefit category of Part Time Regular Employee, Affordable Care Act, or Not Eligible for Benefits and commuted 1 day or less, then they were considered a teleworker who telecommuted for 50% or more of their regular work hours.

The commuting data do not include student travel to/from campus at the beginning/end of each semester. STARS data are based on this 2016 survey. Numbers extrapolated were determined to the best of our understanding of the data being requested.

To facilitate transportation between GW's three campuses (Foggy Bottom, Mount Vernon, and Virginia), GW operates the Vern Express which runs between the Mount Vernon Campus and the Foggy Bottom Campus, the Virginia Shuttle which transports people between the Virginia Science and Technology Campus (VSTC) to the Foggy Bottom Campus, and offers a free shuttle (the Wiehle Express) to and from the Wiehle Metro station to GW's VSTC. These shuttle and bus services for students, faculty, and staff help reduce vehicle miles traveled per capita by reducing reliance on single occupancy vehicles (SOVs) as a primary mode of transit. Portions of this service are open to members of GW's community neighbors as well.

"More sustainable commuting options" interpreted as all means of transportation other than commuting to campus via single occupancy vehicle.