Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 58.55
Liaison Amy Brunvand
Submission Date April 5, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Utah
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.80 / 2.00 Amy Brunvand
Librarian
Office of 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:

A Summary of Existing Conditions is provided in the University of Utah Bicycle Master Plan [2011, p. 13-33], and in the Campus Parking and Transportation & Research Park Mobility Master Plan [2016, 7-9 to 7-12].

Existing University of Utah Bikeways (described in 2011 plan).
• The University of Utah allows bicyclists on all pedestrian pathways and has a 10 mph speed limit.
• Shared Use Path, 3,800 ft.
• Bike Lane, 9,050 ft.
• Bike Path, 6075 ft.
• Bonneville Shoreline Trail (unpaved, shared-use) runs along the foothills north of campus.

Regional Bikeways Network:
The University is located in a relatively bike-friendly city. Salt Lake City has been steadily providing more bicycle facilities on its streets in recent years, and there is at least one bike-friendly route to campus from all directions. However, many of these good bike facilities dead-end at or before the University. [2011, p.34]. In September 2010 Salt Lake City was designated a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community. Providing a recommendation for a prioritized bikeway between the University of Utah and the downtown area was a specific focus of the master plan [2015 p. 30].

Bicycle Storage:
UTA provides bicycle lockers at the Stadium TRAX Station for up to six bicycles. Lockers are $70 per year, plus a $30 refundable key deposit. (2011, p. 21). Various departments manage other on-campus locker locations independently. The 2011 Bicycle Master Plan counted 32 bicycle lockers and secure rooms with space for more than 102 bicycles. Since then the Sustainability Office has added secure rooms with space for 12 bicycles.

Repair Stations:
The "Sustainability Walking Tour" map (June, 2016) shows locations of 8 bike fix-it stations

Shower & Changing Facilities
Showers, changing rooms and locker rental are available at the George S. Eccles Student Life Center managed by Campus Recreation Services.


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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:

Bicycle Parking
Bicycle parking on the University of Utah campus is provided through bicycle racks, lockers, and secure indoor storage spaces. The predominant bicycle rack type on campus is known as the “ribbon” or “wave” rack. This rack type was standardized in the late 1980s by the Director of Campus Design and Construction based on aesthetic, function, and cost factors. As of 2011, there were approximately 350 short-term bicycle parking locations on the main campus and medical campus. Based on the short-term bicycle parking inventory, the University of Utah has approximately 4,800 bicycle parking spaces. [2011, p. 21]

Housing & Residential Education, Optional Services
Indoor bicycle storage is offered as an optional service. Storage is for one bicycle only. 2016-2017 Academic Year: $46/ academic year ($23 per semester)
URL: http://housing.utah.edu/apply-reserve/optional-services/

Lock-it-or-Lose-it
Bicycle theft is an ongoing concern on campus. In 2011, the campus police also introduced their “Lock It or Lose It” campaign. Through the coordination of many university departments, the program provides a free lock to the first 200 students, faculty or staff who register for the program. ASUU funded a second round of giveaways in 2012. [2011, p. 31]


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle and pedestrian plan or policy:

The University of Utah Bicycle Master Plan (2011) includes bikeway design guidelines and street plan models. As current bicycle facilities are upgraded and new bicycle facilities are recommended and built, they will conform to University of Utah Design Standards.

Sidewalks Are For Everyone (S.A.F.E.)
The goal of the Commuter Services S.A.F.E. campaign is to ensure a safe environment for pedestrians, riders, and drivers while helping avoid damage to University property and facilities by inappropriate use of wheeled devices.
URL: http://commuterservices.utah.edu/alternative-transit/safe.php


Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
No

A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
---

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 programs:

U-Card on Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Busses and Trains
The University of Utah is served by Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) TRAX light rail and fixed route bus transit. Students, faculty and staff can ride all UTA trains and buses free. In order to be eligible for this benefit, an individual must have a valid University of Utah ID Card and be a current employee of the University, or a matriculating student who has paid tuition and associated student fees for the current semester. [2011, p.85].

Free Campus Shuttles
a campus shuttle system runs throughout campus. These shuttles run from 6:00 am to 11:30 pm. There are six different routes differentiated by color. Live shuttle tracking and text message route locators allow students, faculty and staff to locate a desired shuttle and accurately predict waiting times. [2011, p.85]
URL: http://commuterservices.utah.edu/mass-transit/shuttles/

U of U Athletic Events
If you have a ticket to cheer on your favorite University of Utah sports team, you can now board UTA bus, FrontRunner or TRAX with your game day ticket and ride the system all day. The offer is good for all University of Utah home football games, gymnastic meets, men and women’s basketball games, and soccer and volleyball games. High school football and basketball tournaments held on the University of Utah campus are also included in the promotion.
URL: https://www.rideuta.com/Fares-And-Passes/U-of-U-Athletic-Events


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

A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:

Free Services for Commuters:
Emergency Ride Home: If you come to campus on TRAX or bus and an emergency arises where you have to get home, we'll get you there.
URL: http://commuterservices.utah.edu/info/guide.php


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:

Van Pool
UTA provides the van and you provide the driver, bookkeeper, and passengers. Drivers will also have access to the van for limited personal use up to 50 monthly miles. What is included?1) The van 2) Maintenance 3) Insurance 4) Back up van and support 5) Fuel 6) Up to 50 personal miles What does it cost? The fare is determined by your average monthly commute miles.
URL: http://commuterservices.utah.edu/alternative-transit/van-pool.php


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:

U Car Share with Enterprise
Enterprise Car Share operates on the U campus. They offer convenient 24/7 access to a dispersed fleet of vehicles.
URL: https://www.enterprisecarshare.com/us/en/programs/university/uofu.html

Zimride
Zimrideby Enterprise is an online ride-matching service that easily connects drivers and passengers heading to the same area
URL: https://www.zimride.com/utah


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:

13 EV charging stations on campus as of 2016:
• Central Garage, 6 stations
• Northwest Garage, 4 stations
• Law School, 3 stations


Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
No

A brief description of the telecommuting program:
Does the institution offer a condensed work week option that reduces employee commuting (as a matter of policy or standard practice)?:
No

A brief description of the condensed work week option:
---

Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
No

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)?:
Yes

A brief description of other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting:

UDrive Electric
This program offers University of Utah community members the opportunity to purchase or lease electric cars or plug-in hybrids at a discount.
URL: http://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/u-drive-electric/

Clear the Air Travelwise Challenge
The University participates in the Clear the Air Challenge sponsored by the Utah Division of Air Quality and Utah Clean Air Partnership (UCAIR). Participants log non-SOV trips individually or in teams and can earn prizes.
URL: https://www.facebook.com/cleartheairchallenge/

Increase Student Housing On-Campus
While comparable in size and reputation to the other institutions within the PAC-12 Conference, the University of Utah has a reputation as being more of a commuter campus than these schools. In an effort to change this perception, the University would like to capitalize on this exciting opportunity as a chance to increase the on-campus, residential presence and improve campus life. The B&D’s demand analysis shows that an additional 2,150 students (1,780 undergraduates) would live in U of U housing by 2019-2020 if the unit types they desired were available. (2012 p.1.4)

Transportation Sustainability Action Plan (in progress)
A working group made up of University of Utah planners and representatives from regional transportation organizations is currently working to develop an active transportation plant to update the 2008 Bicycle Master Plan and supplement the 2016 Campus Parking and Transportation Master Plan.


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:

REFERENCES

University of Utah Bicycle Master Plan. Alta Planning + Design and Psomas, prepared for University of Utah Facilities Department, (2011).
URL: http://facilities.utah.edu/campus-planning/master-plan/bicycle.php

University of Utah Student Housing Master Plan. Brailsford & Dunlavey; Hanbury, Evans, Wright, Vlattas & Company. (2012)
URL: http://facilities.utah.edu/campus-planning/master-plan/student-housing-master-plan.pdf

Salt lake City Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan. Prepared for Salt Lake City by Alta Planning + Design (2015) URL: http://www.slcgov.com/transportation/pedestrian-bicycle-master-plan

Campus Parking and Transportation & Research Park Mobility Master Plan. Horrocks Engineers, (2016).
URL: http://facilities.utah.edu/campus-planning/master-plan/UofU-TMP-FINAL-DRAFT-10-2016.pdf

EV charging stations (Dec 14, 2015)
URL: http://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/u-drive-electric/

SOURCES

Hobbs, Abby. "Electric Bus Provides Glimpse of UTA's Future." Deseret News, Aug 03, 2016.


REFERENCES

University of Utah Bicycle Master Plan. Alta Planning + Design and Psomas, prepared for University of Utah Facilities Department, (2011).
URL: http://facilities.utah.edu/campus-planning/master-plan/bicycle.php

University of Utah Student Housing Master Plan. Brailsford & Dunlavey; Hanbury, Evans, Wright, Vlattas & Company. (2012)
URL: http://facilities.utah.edu/campus-planning/master-plan/student-housing-master-plan.pdf

Salt lake City Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan. Prepared for Salt Lake City by Alta Planning + Design (2015) URL: http://www.slcgov.com/transportation/pedestrian-bicycle-master-plan

Campus Parking and Transportation & Research Park Mobility Master Plan. Horrocks Engineers, (2016).
URL: http://facilities.utah.edu/campus-planning/master-plan/UofU-TMP-FINAL-DRAFT-10-2016.pdf

EV charging stations (Dec 14, 2015)
URL: http://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/u-drive-electric/

SOURCES

Hobbs, Abby. "Electric Bus Provides Glimpse of UTA's Future." Deseret News, Aug 03, 2016.

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