Designing for sustainable transport on campuses: A study of the effects of infrastructural improvements on travel patterns at NUI Galway and other institutions (original) (raw)

2014

Abstract

In recent years, smarter travel initiatives have become increasingly important for educational, business, and other institutions across Ireland. With an increased public awareness of environmental sustainability and a need to decongest urban areas, it is widely accepted that infrastructural investment is required to promote sustainable modes of transport. Furthermore, there are clear economic and health benefits to promoting sustainable travel. It is unclear however, the extent to which specific measures and infrastructural improvements generate modal shift. Universities, alongside large employers, can offer ideal testing grounds for novel initiatives that promote sustainable travel due to their large student and staff cohort, and their generally easily accessible and compact campuses. This study of NUI Galway staff and students (using over1,000 survey responses), analysed the distance travelled, time taken, travel mode, and trip generation location for staff, undergraduate students and postgraduate students travelling to NUI Galway. The findings are compared with results of a similar 2012 survey and with other surveys conducted by the NUI Galway Buildings Office over the past eight years to illustrate the evolution of travel patterns at the University. The survey also investigated the impacts of infrastructure improvements at the NUI Galway. Results show that the overall percentage of students and staff driving to campus has decreased since 2012 and there has been a rise in the modal share of the bicycle. The survey indicates that the development of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge providing access to NUI Galway was positively received. Results of the study indicate that when travelling to NUI Galway, cycling is on average 1.3 km/h faster than the car over distances of less than 5 km (including time to park in a car parking space). Considering distances less than 2 km, the bike can be up to 4 km/h faster. Furthermore over 60% of those travelling to the University live within 5km, there is therefore great potential to increase uptake of active modes of transport.The survey also facilitated estimations of the potential carbon savings which could result from reduced car usage. The paper also presents analysis of staff at Galway University Hospital (GUH - located opposite part of the NUI Galway campus). Furthermore the study analysed data from a university campus in the USA (University of Berkeley, California) and the UK (Lancaster University) and identified key infrastructural improvements that have successfully reduced car usage in universities outside of Ireland and may be applicable to Irish Universities.

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