Project Clearinghouse

Planning for Vehicle Trip Reduction

Sustainability Problem and Proposed Solution: 

How can the UCSC campus reduce its dependence on private cars, and provide efficient, attractive and affordable options to travel by bus, bicycle and on foot? To the extent that cars are still required, how can the campus encourage electric vehicles? This project consists of four undergraduate-led analysis reports to support planning for sustainable transportation on campus.

Thanks to a Campus Sustainability Planning Grant for funding!

Jump to: Contact | Project Description | Funding Sources | How to Join | Metrics for Success | Results
Project Categories: 
Transportation
Project Status: 
Completed
Project End Date: 
06/30/2018
Affiliated Department, Unit or College: 
Environmental Studies and Transportation and Parking Services
Project Location: 
On campus



Stakeholder Contacts: 
Contact NameEmail AddressDepartment
Adam Millard-Ball
adammb@ucsc.edu
Environmental Studies
How to Join: 
Come and talk to Prof. Millard-Ball. Office hours sign up is here: https://goo.gl/X7vFOD You can see the reports and related work here: https://greentransport.sites.ucsc.edu
Funding Sources: 
Campus Sustainability Plan Grant

Project Description: 

Analysis reports focus on four specific areas of campus transportation that support the goals of the Campus Sustainability Plan.

• Evaluation of articulated buses. UCSC is funding a pilot of articulated buses starting in Winter quarter 2018. Articulated buses have the potential to add capacity to Metro routes, reduce pass-bys, and allow the campus to achieve the ridership goals in the Sustainability Plan. To what extent have the these goals been achieved?

• Feasibility of electric buses. Through case studies of other campuses, discussions with bus vendors and financial analysis, , and hoBuilding on the analysis already completed by an ENVS undergraduate in 2016, this study will assess the physical and financial implications of moving the campus shuttle fleet to electric vehicles?

• Electric vehicle charging demand. Through surveys and analysis of charger use, this study will prioritize the infrastructure needed most to support the transition to electric vehicles.

• Uber/Lyft analysis. Uber and Lyft have significant potential to improve mobility for UCSC affiliates, but may also increase the number of vehicle trips and reduce demand for Metro bus services and campus shuttles. This project would analyze patterns of Uber and Lyft demand, and assess the impact on transit ridership and emissions, and review best practices at other campuses to ensure that Uber/Lyft services can best complement public transit.

Metrics for Success: 

In the short-term: Completion of the four reports.
In the long-term: The campus will act on the information to move forward to improve sustainable transportation options.

Result Categories: 
Policy
Data Collection & Analysis
Results: 

See the analysis reports at https://greentransport.sites.ucsc.edu.