Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 71.57
Liaison Greg Maginn
Submission Date Jan. 22, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

The Ohio State University
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Robert Osterfeld
Sustainability Coordinator
Energy Services and Sustainability
"---" 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:

To aid in the effort to encourage use of alternative transportation The Ohio State Student union offers bicycle racks and showers to accommodate bicycle users who visit the union.


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:

To aid in the effort to encourage use of alternative transportation The Ohio State Student union offers bicycle racks and showers to accommodate bicycle users who visit the union.


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:

The Ohio State University has a 1700 acre campus with road network of over 16.85 centerline miles, of which 9.15 miles fall under control of the university itself. The university employs campus-wide traffic calming strategies (speed limits of 20 mph or less), way finding signage with distance and or time information, and when intersection traffic signals are demand-activated, there are a loop detector makings or bike-accessible push buttons installed. Currently OSU has more than 6.90 miles of shared-use paths (6.15 miles are paved), with a proposed additional 4.5 miles being actively planned. There are more than 3.35 miles of signed bike routes, 4.5 miles of shared lane markings (sharrows), and approximately 8,425 bike parking spaces available (including long term parking options such as covered bike parking and or bike lockers)


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:

The bike share program launched in September of 2015, provides a safe and sustainable alternative transportation option for the University community. The program offers 115 bicycles at 15 campus locations. In addition to the 100 commuter bicycles in the fleet, 15 of the bicycles in the system are alternative bicycles, including side-by-side tandems, hand cycles, and heavy duty and three-wheels cargo bikes.


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:

The Ohio State University first applied for and obtained a bronze-level BFU certification in 2009, and reapplied in 2015 again earning a bronze-level certification that is valid through 2019.


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):

The Ohio State University offers reduced price transit passes to faculty and staff. These passes are sold on behalf of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) by the Department of Transportation and Parking Services at a $4.00 discount off their regular prices. Students pay a mandatory $12.00 per semester fee which allows them unlimited travel on all COTA routes. Average weekday ridership for April 9th through April 15th 2011 was 6,621.


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:

The Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program is a free service that reassures RideSolutions commuters won't be stranded at work in the case of emergency, unexpected overtime, or in the absence of their driver. Registered RidesSolutions commuters can be reimbursed after submitting the GRH voucher.

GRH is a free to registered RideSolutions commuters who carpool, van-pool, ride public transportation, bike or walk to and from work every day or occasionally. Once registered, commuters receive a GRH voucher which can be used up to four times per year to reimburse 90% of the cab fare home, plus up to a 15% tip.

If you find yourself in need of an emergency ride home, simply call the taxi service provider most convenient for you. Remember to request a receipt from the taxi driver, and mail the original receipt in with your signed GRH voucher.


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:

Yes, The Ohio State University offers van-pool and/or ride sharing services to faculty and staff populations which employ GRT Capabilities, reduce parking fees (van-pool members share a parking permit), and preferential parking spaces


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:

The university participates in the Hertz on Demand pay-as-you-go car sharing program.


Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
Yes

A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:

The Ohio State University has installed approximately 15 level-2 electric vehicle charging stations available to the campus community and the general population. These include a mix or ReCharge power charging stations and GE charging station models. The Utilization of existing electric vehicle charging stations and the demand for more charging stations has greatly exceeded the levels originally envisioned. OSU is currently working to install more charging stations in the near future.


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:

The university supports flexible work arrangements to achieve a highly productive work environment that enables staff to balance work and personal needs while providing workforce predictability and stability. Workplace flexibility is a strategy for using resources most efficiently and providing the best environment for talent.” One such work arrangement allows “Flexible Work Options,” including, telecommuting or flexplace where some or all work hours are completed at a location other than the campus workplace.


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:

The university strongly encourages the use of flexible work arrangements as one approach to supporting staff and their work/life effectiveness, to improving staff morale, and to recruiting and retaining a high quality workforce.” Many units have interpreted this policy to include flextime, compressed work week, or telecommuting.


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 Ohio State Faculty & Staff University District Homeownership Incentive Program is a down payment assistance program that consists of a zero interest forgivable loan (second mortgage) in the amount of $3,000 to be applied towards the required down payment, closing costs and/or reduction in principal amount on a home purchased in the University District, which includes Weinland Park.


Does the institution have other incentives or programs to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
No

A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:
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The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable transportation program(s) is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.