| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.99 |
| Liaison | Eric Meliton |
| Submission Date | Dec. 20, 2013 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Wilfrid Laurier University
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.75 / 2.00 |
Eric
Meliton Manager: Sustainability Office Facilities and Asset Management |
Does the institution provide secure bicycle storage (not including office space), shower facilities, and lockers for bicycle commuters?:
A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:
Laurier's secured bike storage is located in the center of campus. It features a locked, covered, and monitored area for bicycle storage, and can be rented on a pro-rated basis.
Laurier also has a newly installed covered bike rack which offers partial protection from the elements.
A bicycle repair station is located at the main campus entrance, and includes all the tools necessary to perform basic repairs and maintenance.
Locker rentals are available in several buildings across campus and are coordinated through the Student's Union.
The Athletic Center offers the use of showers for all cyclists at no charge.
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)?:
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
Laurier's secured bike storage is located in the center of campus. It features a locked, covered, and monitored area for bicycle storage, and can be rented on a pro-rated basis.
Laurier also has a newly installed covered bike rack which offers partial protection from the elements. All buildings have proximate bike racks, including new builds.
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?:
A brief description of the bicycle/pedestrian policy and/or network:
Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
Laurier is listed as one of 5 start up locations in the Grand River Public Bike Share initial pilot launch, which includes 2 locations of bike share centres on campus. The network links to another university and the downtown and bikes can be locked anywhere.
For more information visit the Grand River Public Bike Share website: http://www.grandriverpublicbikeshare.ca/
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?:
A brief description of the certification, including date certified and level:
Does the institution offer free or reduced price transit passes and/or operate a free campus shuttle for commuters?:
A brief description of the mass transit program(s), including availability, participation levels, and specifics about discounts or subsidies offered (including pre-tax options):
Laurier staff members have a Grand River Transit (GRT) Corporate Bus Pass Program available to them. Employees of TravelWise member organizations (Wilfrid Laurier University being one of them) gain access to a significantly discounted transit pass. GRT has developed a new online purchasing tool specifically for TravelWise members, enabling staff to purchase monthly, seasonal or annual passes at a discounted rate.
Prices are as follows WITH the discounted transit pass:
3 month pass-$64.60
6 month pass- $62.90
9 month pass- $60.35
12 month pass- $57.80
Prices are as follows WITHOUT the discounted transit pass are $68.00/month, which is equivalent to:
3 month pass- $204.00
6 month pass- $408.00
9 month pass- $612.00
12 month pass- $816.00
Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip (GRT) program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
A brief description of the GRT program:
Emergency Ride Home: As a part of Travelwise, when employees begin to carpool, use transit or commit to active transportation as an alternative way to get to work, they are eligible to take part in the Emergency Ride Home program. This program is designed as an insurance policy for participants who do not have immediate access to a vehicle while at work and need to leave in emergency situations.
http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/gettingAround/resources/TravelWiseEmergencyRideHome.pdf
Does the institution participate in a car/vanpool or ride sharing program and/or offer reduced parking fees or preferential parking for car/vanpoolers?:
A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
In 2012 Laurier established a new partnership with the Region of Waterloo and their TravelWise program. TravelWise is a Transportation Management Association (TMA) which provides an assortment of tools and services aimed at reducing the number of people driving alone to and from work. TravelWise provides policy support, programs and services to encourage commuters to try sustainable commuting options, and a state of the art ride matching service makes it simple to find a carpool.
Using this tool, Laurier has its own carpool zone site where employees can create a carpool profile. This allows employees to ride-match with a regular carpool or a onetime ride. Searching for a match is quick and easy and users even have the option to connect with other TravelWise organizations across Waterloo Region.
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?:
A brief description of the car sharing program:
Community CarShare is a non-profit co-operative which provides its members access to vehicles on a self-serve, pay-per-use basis. It's mission is to deliver a carsharing service and to promote carsharing as an important component of a sustainable transportation system within the Region of Waterloo. Through this the co-op seeks to reduce overall transportation costs, traffic congestion and air pollution, thus improving our communities.
Reservations for CarShare vehicles can be made for as little as 30 minutes, or as long as needed, and gas and maintenance costs are included in driving rates. By filling in transportation gaps with occasional car use, Community CarShare also helps support the use of greener transportation modes such as transit and cycling. Many CarShare members also already own a car, but supplement their driving needs with CarShare reservations a few times a week.
Community CarShare currently has 800 members who have access to a fleet of 28 vehicles, stationed along main transit corridors. As membership grows and vehicle usage increases, additional vehicles are added to the fleet to meet membership and usage demands.
Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
Waterloo Campus:
The main campus offers a number of telecommuting options including conference phones, a conference bridge, a Skype connection and a video conferencing room.
Brantford Campus:
The Read Lounge (conference room) of the Carnegie Building has telecommuting capabilities. This has been used to reduce commuting between the three campuses as well as for meetings and classes. The telecommuting equipment requires set up and take down from the IT department.
Does the institution offer a condensed work week option for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
A brief description of the condensed work week program:
The University recognizes the importance of helping employees balance their work and family responsibilities. Therefore, the faculty full-time collective agreement and the staff collective agreement offer condensed work week options.
Library staff may work flexible hours within the average of a 35 hour work week.
All staff are able to make compressed work week arrangements, given approval from their managers, for the period of May 1 – August 31 of each year. In a compressed work week, staff can complete their weekly working hours in a period of other than five working days provided that they work their normally scheduled hours in a pay period.
Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:
Does the institution have other incentives or programs to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable transportation program(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.