Pathways to a Sustainable Pathways to a Sustainable Transportation PlanTransportation Plan

Heather Farley

Sustainability Coordinator

NAU - Flagstaff, AZ

Importance of Transportation GHG Reduction

• In 2008, transportation sources contributed approximately 27 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (epa.gov)

• For most campuses, transportation will be the second largest contributor to carbon footprint

• It is a visible change that you can make on campus in an effort to propel your climate action plan

Transportation Types

• Commuting to and from campus• Driving on campus – avg. student at NAU

moves their car 3-4 times daily.• Air Travel• Business Travel by Car

• Holistic approach to transportation reduction is key to mitigating your carbon footprint

Pathway #1

• Getting To Campus• EcoPass• Rideshare

– Challenges – Participation, safety, finding the right online system

• Carpool passes – parking• Bike storage/Showers

Pathway #2

• Getting Around On Campus• Yellow Bike Program• Mandatory Bike Registration and Bike Safety Workshops• Property Surplus Bike Sale• Capital Assets, ARD, and Residence Life departmental

bicycles• Gators (RLSS) or Golf Carts (Engineering) instead of

trucks for hauling and transportation • Biodiesel and Fuel Efficient Buses – 67% ridership

increase between 2009-2010• Residence Hall lot specific parking passes• Campus Master Plan

Pathway #2 – Campus Master Plan

• Designated Pedestrian spine– Creating memorable walks through campus– Creating accessible walks (Bridge)– Building in effective snow storage

• Designated bus and bike spine– Traffic control – Connect to regional transit spine– Creation of a more connected bike route through campus

• Peripheral Parking– Mixed Use Parking Decks = additional PV space, additional

services for students

• These types of efforts create personal vehicle disincentive

Organizing Elements:

Connect 3 campuses into one campus

Develop a contiguous north south connection for pedestrians and bikes

CONCEPT PLANCONCEPT PLAN

Organizing Elements:

Connect 3 campuses into one campus

Develop a contiguous north south spine for pedestrians and bikes

Interweave a busway transit spine with the ped-way spine

CONCEPT PLANCONCEPT PLAN

Organizing Elements:

Connect 3 campuses into one campus

Develop a contiguous north south spine for pedestrians and bikes

Interweave a busway transit spine with the ped / bike spine

Create memorable open spaces off of the spine – both centralized spaces and east/west spaces

CONCEPT PLANCONCEPT PLAN

Organizing Elements:

Connect 3 campuses into one campus

Develop a contiguous north south spine for pedestrians and bikes

Interweave a busway transit spine with the ped / bike spine

Create memorable open spaces off of the spine – both centralized spaces and east/west spaces

Relocate parking to the perimeter, making it more convenient and efficient

Infill academic and housing to define the open spaces and enliven the campus

Balance physical development with infrastructure upgrades and expansion

CONCEPT PLANCONCEPT PLAN

EXISTING – CENTRAL CAMPUSEXISTING – CENTRAL CAMPUS

PROPOSED – UNIVERSITY GREEN & TRANSIT SPINE PROPOSED – UNIVERSITY GREEN & TRANSIT SPINE

EXISTING – RUNKE DRIVE (proposed Observatory Way)EXISTING – RUNKE DRIVE (proposed Observatory Way)

PROPOSED – OBSERVATORY WAY (former Runke PROPOSED – OBSERVATORY WAY (former Runke Drive)Drive)

0’+20’

-40’ -20’

University Drive*

* Base ‘zero’ elevation for north campus core

McKay Village

McConnell Drive

Gabaldon Halldu Bois +

South Dining

South Campus to University: ped-way is uphill both ways

CAMPUS CONNECTIVITY:CAMPUS CONNECTIVITY:

down 20’

down 20’

up 60’

McConnell Drive

up 30’

University Drive

Reroute ped-way & add bridge over wash to reduce difficulty and travel time

Down 10’

0’-20’

University of Delaware: Student Housing + Pedestrian Bridge

Proposed Walk

Existing Walk

CAMPUS CONNECTIVITY:CAMPUS CONNECTIVITY:

PROPOSED PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE SECTIONPROPOSED PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE SECTION

Pathway #3

• Travel• Motor Fleet

– Hybrid and electric vehicle replacements

• Video Conferencing– Challenge - IT support– Challenge - Used at other institutions or businesses

• Carbon Offsets– Challenge - Tracking mileage– Challenge - Funding Source– NAU has approached this through a student research

project. Options to date include an opt-in program, a program funded through the President’s office, or a formal accounting system

Maintaining Momentum

• Environmental Caucus– Transportation Action Team

• NAU Police• Transportation Services• Residence Life• Parking Services• VP for Enrollment & Student Affairs• Transportation Intern• Yellow Bike Representative• Capital Assets• Several Caucus Members

Contact Us

Thank You!

Office of Sustainability

Heather.Farley@nau.edu

(928) 523-0656