Pathways to a Sustainable
Transportation 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
CONCEPT PLAN
Organizing Elements:

Connect 3 campuses into one campus

Develop a contiguous north south
connection for pedestrians and bikes
CONCEPT 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 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 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
EXISTING – CENTRAL CAMPUS
PROPOSED – UNIVERSITY GREEN & TRANSIT SPINE
EXISTING – RUNKE DRIVE (proposed Observatory Way)
PROPOSED – OBSERVATORY WAY (former Runke Drive)
CAMPUS CONNECTIVITY:
South Campus to University: ped-way is uphill both ways
+20’
0’
-40’
McKay Village
Gabaldon Hall
du Bois +
South Dining
University Drive*
* Base ‘zero’ elevation for north campus core
-20’
McConnell Drive
CAMPUS CONNECTIVITY:
Reroute ped-way & add bridge over wash to reduce
difficulty and travel time
0’
-20’
University Drive
McConnell Drive
Existing Walk
Proposed Walk
University of Delaware: Student Housing + Pedestrian Bridge
PROPOSED 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
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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