| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.41 |
| Liaison | Krista Bailey |
| Submission Date | Dec. 12, 2023 |
Pennsylvania State University
OP-16: Commute Modal Split
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.40 / 5.00 |
Shelley
McKeague Environmental Compliance Specialist Engineering Services |
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:
Parking Permit data is FY21/22 data provided by Transportation Services.
The methodology for calculating the percentages reported is as follows:
47559 students (headcount)
5394 students with parking permits for commuting (11%). 13,621 live on campus and walking/biking is the most convenient mode of transportation (29%). The remaining off-campus students that do not have permits and therefor cannot park on campus, must either walk/bike from housing close to campus or utilize CATA Bus\Shuttle Services to get to and around campus (60%). Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) operates campus express routes from apartment complexes to service faculty, student, staff and other community members who live at these locations. CATA operates free on-campus shuttle buses for students and employees. The Blue Loop, White Loop, and Red Link routes are fare-free seven days a week.
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:
Parking Permit data is FY21/22 data provided by Transportation Services.
Percentage was calculated as follows:
10898 faculty/staff
10015 faculty/staff permits issued (92%)
CATA’s RIDEpass program provides access to all CATABUS routes to eligible University Park faculty, staff and students for only $21 per month.
Penn State offers hybrid and remote work options that have reduced employee commuting but it is difficult to quantify.
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 | 11 | 92 |
| Zero-emissions vehicle | --- | --- |
| Walk, cycle, or other non-motorized mode | 29 | --- |
| Vanpool or carpool | 0 | 0 |
| Public transport or campus shuttle | 60 | 0 |
| Motorcycle, motorized scooter/bike, or moped | 0 | 0 |
| Distance education / telecommute | --- | 0 |
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:
There is limited parking available in the core campus area. The majority of the commuter parking is located on the periphery, encouraging less vehicle movement, fewer pedestrian/vehicular conflicts, and a more walkable environment. Penn State operates a Campus Shuttle that loops through campus. In partnership with CATA (Centre Area Transportation Authority) there is a Campus Service that includes the Blue Loop, White Loop and Red Link. CATA also offers a Community Service with 23 routes serving students/staff who live in neighboring communities. In a partnership with Penn State, CATA also offers football shuttle routes for home games.
There is limited parking available in the core campus area. The majority of the commuter parking is located on the periphery, encouraging less vehicle movement, fewer pedestrian/vehicular conflicts, and a more walkable environment. Penn State operates a Campus Shuttle that loops through campus. In partnership with CATA (Centre Area Transportation Authority) there is a Campus Service that includes the Blue Loop, White Loop and Red Link. CATA also offers a Community Service with 23 routes serving students/staff who live in neighboring communities. In a partnership with Penn State, CATA also offers football shuttle routes for home games.
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.