Promoting Alternative Transportation for the Increased Sustainability of WPI

Dusty Cyr, Michael Josephs, Emmit Joyal, Anthony Hannoush, and Anthony Mikelonis

Goals and Objectives of this IQPThis project aims to encourage and promote alternative transportation by the WPI community by:

• Researching the current methods of alternative transportation already existing around WPI

• Researching what other colleges and cities have done to encourage and promote alternative transportation

• Understanding how people travel to and around campus• Producing a list of recommendations to promote and encourage

alternate transportation

MethodologyObjective 1: Research the current methods of alternative transportation already existing around WPI and the Worcester community.

Methods: 1. Gathered info on SNAP and Gateway Shuttles, Zipcar, Carpool World, WRTA, etc. through previous experience and available handouts/webpages. 2. Took the WRTA several times to different locations to report on the

experience.

Objective 2: Research what other comparable colleges and cities have done to encourage and promote alternative transportation.

Methods: Researched similar colleges with notable alternative transportation programs including Clark, Duke, UC Davis, and Rutgers through online reports and calling/emailing for more information.

Objective 3: Understand how WPI community members travel to and around campus.

Methods: 1. Created zip-code maps of where students, faculty and staff come to campus from- zip-code info from Office of the Provost, Office of Student

Life, Human Resources 2. Sent survey to the entire WPI community

- included questions about travel habits, alternative transportation option preferences

- advertised survey via table-sitting, print ads, tear-off flyers- contacted Ms. Tomaszewski, class boards, ME department,

clubs, SGA for help in distributing the survey

Preliminary Results:

Where students, faculty, and staff are coming to campus from…

Preliminary Survey Results:

Preliminary Survey Results:

“Which of the following would change how you travel?”

I live on campus

I live very close to campus ( no more than a 10 minute walking distance)

I live within Worcester (outside of a 10 minute walking distance)

I live in one of the surrounding communities, near Worcester

I live farther away/other, please specify:

19%

13%

25%

7%

4%

44%

31%

23%

16%

14%

More Frequent/Convenient WRTA Bus Routes

Would DEFINITELY change how I travel Would POSSIBLY change how I travel

I live on campus

I live very close to campus ( no more than a 10 minute walking distance)

I live within Worcester (outside of a 10 minute walking distance)

I live in one of the surrounding communities, near Worcester

I live farther away/other, please specify:

35%

31%

22%

9%

7%

37%

37%

30%

18%

12%

Free/Inexpensive Bike Rental Program

Would DEFINITELY change how I travelWould POSSIBLY change how I travel

“Which of the following would change how you travel?”

I live on campus

I live very close to campus ( no more than a 10 minute walking distance)

I live within Worcester (outside of a 10 minute walking distance)

I live in one of the surrounding communities, near Worcester

I live farther away/other, please specify:

20%

16%

15%

11%

13%

42%

35%

23%

34%

43%

Easier to CarpoolWould DEFINITELY change how I travel Would POSSIBLY change how I travel

I live on campus

I live very close to campus ( no more than a 10 minute walking distance)

I live within Worcester (outside of a 10 minute walking distance)

I live in one of the surrounding communities, near Worcester

I live farther away/other, please specify:

20%

22%

22%

9%

17%

39%

36%

23%

20%

19%

More frequent/convenient Commuter Rail System

Would DEFINITELY change how I travel Would POSSIBLY change how I travel

Some Encouraging Results:

Action Plan:

From our findings we plan to:

• Determine which forms of alternative transportation are not only sustainable for WPI, but practical as well.

• Form a series of recommendations for the WPI Department of Facilities.

Questions/Comments?