comprehensive campus transportation plan - University of ...

University of Massachusetts Lowell Campus Transportation Plan
Sustainable Transportation Policy
The University has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability as a
signatory of the American Colleges and University Presidential Climate
Commitment (ACUPCC). However, as part of the ACUPCC, UMass Lowell has
committed to submit a Climate Action Plan (CAP), a formal, required
document explaining how UMass Lowell will achieve its reductions in GHG
emissions in the future. As of this report, UMass Lowell has not issued a CAP.
Since transportation demand management is inherently a sustainable
practice, a policy outlining the University’s guidance for sustainable
transportation should be developed.
A sustainable transportation policy will help the University:
••
Demonstrate its commitment to sustainable transportation practices
••
Specify responsibilities, monitoring and reporting procedures
••
Establish continuity and expectations for different University entities
••
Provide guidance for future decision making
TDM Coordinator
A TDM coordinator plays a critical role in integrating, promoting, and
developing TDM programs into a comprehensive plan. The purpose of the
position is to educate the university’s staff and students on reducing parking
demand and increasing demand for other modes of transportation through
research, promotion, and regional involvement in development of alternative
commute modes. The TDM coordinator would typically work within the
Parking and Transportation Department. Job responsibilities for the TDM
coordinator include:
••
Promote non-single occupant transportation options
••
Measure effectiveness of alternative transportation programs
••
Plan, program and implement strategic TDM programs and infrastructure
••
Benchmark and monitor
◦◦Transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions
◦◦Commuter mode share
••
Produce maps, reports and informational materials
••
Keep current on developing TDM strategies
••
Promote environmental improvement initiatives
••
Develop surveys and studies to explore potential TDM programs (student
commuter carpool study, commuter bus survey, etc.)
••
Coordinate with other campus, city, and regional organizations to
develop and promote TDM programs
••
Provide general assistance to divisions and departments
The TDM coordinator role is critical to the success of the TDM plan. As such,
the position could benefit from the experience of a current employee who
is familiar with the transportation system, local infrastructure, and
University environment. It is important, however, that at least half of this
employee’s time is dedicated to the responsibilities described above. As
TDM programs start to mature and develop and new programs are
introduced on campus, the TDM coordinator role will require a dedicated
full-time employee. Examples of the types of programs the TDM
coordinator will be responsible for are presented in the table Near-Term
action list under the TDM measure TDM coordinator.
Physical Improvements
Physical improvements to the campuses and connecting communities
provide an important complement to TDM strategies and encourage use of
alternate modes of transportation. These improvements can range from
uniform wayfinding signage to intersection treatments that enhance
pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. The goal of the improvements is
to form a comprehensive system of measures that encourage University
faculty, staff, and students to seek alternate modes of transportation when
destined to the University and moving between campus locations. Many of
these improvements are presented in the previous section and are also
listed in the subsequent tables.
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