Transportation
In Fiscal Year 2008, transportation accounted for 34 percent of the University’s total greenhouse gas emissions. As the University works to achieve carbon neutrality, commuters will face a variety of options to help reduce emissions. Mass transit to and from campus represents one of the greatest opportunities for individuals to reduce fossil fuel consumption and traffic congestion. Over the past six years, ridership on Shuttle UM has more than doubled to 2.6 M riders. As the University’s vehicle fleet continues to grow, the Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) is taking steps to minimize its environmental impact.
Green Parking Permits
In fall 2007, DOTS began offering “Green Permits” to persons who drive to campus with cars that have been selected by the EPA as “Green Cars”, based not only on highway miles per gallon, but also environmental impact in manufacture and disposal, emissions, etc. (To see a list of all cars that qualify, click here). DOTS provides eligible drivers with a 20 percent discount on the cost of a parking permit in an effort to encourage all commuters to make fuel-efficient vehicle choices and thereby reduce the collective greenhouse gas emissions of the campus.
Shuttle-UM
UM’s Shuttle Bus operation has undertaken any steps to improve fuel efficiency and support campus sustainability efforts. The focus has been to reduce the use of diesel fuel and bus engine emissions. All buses in the Shuttle-UM fleet run on a mixture of bio diesel fuel. The "bio" component of bio diesel is manufactured from waste cooking oil, which generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions than petroleum-based diesel alternatives. Shuttle-UM uses 5% biodiesel in the winter months and 20% biodiesel in the summer months.
To further reduce emissions, DOTS has installed catalytic converters in all of its buses. This EPA verified device eliminates 25 percent of particulate matter, 70 percent of carbon monoxide, and 70 percent of hydrocarbon gases. Along the same vein, DOTS has installed crankcase ventilation systems on all of the buses, thereby reducing crankcase emissions. With this device, some byproducts of combustion, such as unburnt hydrocarbons, will go back into the engine to be reused instead of being emitted into the air. Shuttle-UM has also made a major bus purchase in 2009 in which it will take delivery of 8 new hybrid buses. The first four hybrids will be received in 2010.
ZipCar
Faculty, staff, and students can take mass transit to campus and have the flexibility of running errands during the day. The ZipCar program allows any member of the campus community to conveniently borrow a car when needed (reservation required). Gas, insurance, and maintenance are included. This is just one more reason not to sit in Beltway traffic.
Smart Park Carpool Program
This is a service offered by DOTS to connect commuter students who have similar commuting schedules. Not only do participants in carpools reduce vehicle emissions, but they also save money by benefiting from lower parking permit fees. The University carpool program is currently undergoing a review that is expected to result in changes during 2009. These changes are expected to make the program more robust through new parking incentives and a new internet-based tool that will make it easier for individuals to find others interested in carpooling.
Bicycling
Many faculty, staff, and students commute to campus by bicycle, but even those who live too far from campus to ride can take their bicycle on Metrobus, Metrorail, and Shuttle-UM. Bike racks have been installed on the front of Shuttle-UM buses to make environmentally-friendly commuting even easier. Additionally, there is a full service bike shop in the Cole Fieldhouse that offers maintenance instruction and bike rentals.
In 2008, DOTS retained a consulting firm specializing in campus bicycle planning to conduct a bicycle study of the College Park campus. The purpose of the study was to evaluate current practices and make recommendations that could lead to the development of facilities and campus infrastructure for optimal bicycle circulation and parking; and to promote policies and programs for bicycle management, safety, and security. DOTS identified a core group of campus stakeholders including the Departments of Public Safety, Facilities Management, Resident Life, and Residential Facilities who agreed to work jointly to implement the consultant’s recommendations.
Purple Line
The Purple Line is a proposed light rail line that would connect stops inside the beltway from Bethesda to New Carrollton, offering an alternative to congested Beltway travel. The proposed route includes a stop on Route 1 and an on-campus station. Although a number of years away, this transit option will help additional members of the campus community commute to campus in a convenient and low-carbon manner. It may help reduce campus congestion and could enhance the desirability of the College Park community for individual and commercial investment and as a shopping and recreation destination.