Pathways Toward Zero-Carbon Campus Commuting: Innovative Approaches in Measuring, Understanding, and Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Abstract

While universities are significant generators of transport-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, they are uniquely qualified to encourage more sustainable travel behaviors toward achieving rapid decarbonization to meet our global climate action goals. Building on previous university climate action plans, this paper contributes to the literature by describing new and innovative methods in surveying and geospatial analytics. The new geospatial methods involve mapping individuals’ routes to campus, and the creation of Commute/Policy Zones—walk, bike, transit, and motorized—proving useful in (1) quantifying emissions per mode and weighting the survey sample; (2) exploring and testing various policy scenarios; and (3) guiding policy discussions with key stakeholders throughout the campus community. This study also tests four synergistic policy options that, if implemented, could realize a pathway to zero-carbon campus commuting for San Diego State University (SDSU) by 2030, including: (1) more on-campus student housing; (2) expanding public transit use; (3) electrifying vehicles; and (4) electrifying public transit. Finally, the economic and health costs of auto-commuting for SDSU are considerable: Annually, personal auto-commuting is estimated to cost $46.7 million, healthcare costs from non-GHG air pollutants are $1.67 million, and $81 million worth of time (5.4 million hours) is lost in car commutes to campus. SDSU is also estimated to subsidize each parking space at over $700 per year. By reducing the demand for internal combustion engine vehicles, increasing housing near campus, improving access to walking, biking, public transit, and shared mobility technology, and repowering everything through renewable energy, a zero-carbon transportation network is within reach.