Sustainable Transportation and Grounds in UIC - University of ...

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Report to UIC 38 Chancellor’s Committee on Sustainability and Energy way, who wishes to carpool to UIC. A more formal approach, using ridematching, is ridesharing. Ridematching is a computerized service that allows commuters find other commuters who want to start or join a carpool or vanpool. Ridematching programs have proven to be a successful method of reducing carbon footprints, as well as easing the stresses of commuting to work for employees in both educational institutions and other work environments. We recommend that the following services be explored for the UIC community: • Promote existing rideshare opportunities, such as the program provided by Pace, as an interim rideshare program. • Ridematching as an online service: By creating a comprehensive ridematching website and survey, UIC can offer consistency, flexibility and security to its employees. The system can connect UIC faculty/staff to carpooling possibilities in their communities. Ridematch 21 is a Chicago-based system and GoLoCo is a national system that has been successful in generating carpools. A key reason why many individuals are hesitant to use ridematched carpools is that they may have to share a ride with complete strangers who they may not be comfortable with. A possibility to ensure confidence in the system is to have employees screen those with whom they would agree to share a ride. • Real-time, dynamic ridematching systems using wireless technologies: As a long-term strategy, a demonstration project should be attempted to operationalize real-time, dynamic Ridematching systems using Personal Digital Assistants, cell phones and other mobile devices, using Mobile Ad-Hoc Network Technology and other technologies using peer-to-peer systems and wireless communications methods. Such technologies are being experimented with as a part of the Computation Transportation Science IGERT Ph.D. program. Again the issue of having a trusted entity operating the system would entail that users are given an opportunity to opt-in and that potential ride-sharers are agreeable to the individual seeking a ride. Social networks may be utilized to fully implement such technologies. A full-scale demonstration project could position UIC in the lead as supporters of innovative technology that attempts to “make it easy” for commuters to use sustainable, higheroccupancy modes of transportation. 38
Report to UIC 39 Chancellor’s Committee on Sustainability and Energy • Occasional Ride Program: The Occasional Ride Program is one that allows faculty, staff and students to occasionally have access to preferred parking on campus, in exchange that they agree to find alternative, sustainable options as their primary mode of transportation. This program allows flexibility for individuals and promotes mass transit ridership. For subscribers of the Occasional Ride program, we recommend: 1. Create preferred parking for occasional users. 2. Provide parking cashouts for members who use alternative transportation modes. 3. Increase parking pass and daily user costs. 4. Provide priority parking for car and van pools. 7. Guaranteed Ride Home programs: In addition to security issues that deter individuals from using carpools and the like, the question of how employees would get back home in the event of an emergency is another major deterrent. Guaranteed Ride Home (otherwise known as GRH) provides commuters who regularly vanpool, carpool, bike, walk, or take transit with a reliable ride home when unexpected emergencies arises. We recommend the following: • Immediate Seek CMAQ funds: UIC should explore the possibility of obtaining funds for the GRH from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAP), a federally funded program that is operated in Northeastern Illinois by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency (CMAP). • Terms of usage: UIC commuters should be able to use GRH for personal emergencies and unscheduled overtime up to four times per year or up to $100 per year. • Price and fee structure: The ride home by cab, rental car, bus or train is free (excluding gratuity, fuel and insurance charges). 8. Evaluate the Role of UIC Parking Services. Since Parking Services is a self-supporting enterprise, any revenue it makes must be reinvested in the parking lot enterprise. Further, it 39
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