Optimizing Sustainable Transportation Strategies for University Environments

Abstract

This project explores strategies for improving university sustainable transportation efforts by exploring modal outcomes of Boston area university Transportation Demand Management (TDM) investments. TDM programs are a critical strategy employed by universities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion, and to promote sustainable transportation modes. University TDM implementation has rapidly increased in the 21st century, yet both policies and outcomes vary significantly. With a variety of tools and strategies employed by university TDM practitioners, it is crucial to assess these strategies and outcomes to optimize investments given university resource constraints. This study builds on the extensive research of employer-based TDM practices, by exploring the pricing factors influencing modal outcomes of university-based TDM strategies. Using a twelve-year commute mode data set compiled through the Massachusetts Rideshare Regulation along with pricing structures of institutional parking facilities and details on transit subsidies or lack thereof, I explore the hypothesis that university investments in TDM programs are correlated with decreases in single occupant vehicle (SOV) commute modes, and that among those investments, pricing structures are the most significant predictor of SOV reductions. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient analysis revealed insignificant correlations between institutional pricing variables, and sample variance of assembled university mode data revealed a substantial range in data quality. I conclude by discussing the possible reasons for this inconclusiveness, and suggest ways to reform the Rideshare Regulation process.