Transportation Management Programs at the
University of Nevada, Reno
Parking Services Initiatives:
The University of Nevada, Reno has no land available for additional surface parking lots. All new parking spaces must be added within parking structures at a cost of $15,000 per space. The Parking and Transportation Services Department has implemented a series of initiatives in an effort to reduce the demand for parking and to encourage campus members to use alternate modes of transportation to get to campus. Combined, these initiatives have reduced the need to construct approximately 1,270 new campus parking spaces, saving the University an estimated $19 million in construction costs.
Wolf Pass Bus Program – Campus members may purchase a subsidized wolf pass, which allows them unlimited access to all of the city busses for a significantly reduced fee. Carson City residents are also eligible to purchase an INTERCITY bus pass at a subsidized rate to ride the bus to and from Reno, as well.
Carpool Program – Campus members who register as carpoolers receive a close reserved carpool parking space, share the cost of the parking permit with their carpool partner, receive a “Free Friday” parking permit which allows carpoolers to drive to campus separately on Fridays, and receive five free daily parking permits to use on days that carpooling is not possible.
For those who would like to carpool but can’t find a carpool partner, users can log on at www.alternetrides.com for a free and confidential match list. The list will feature maps showing approximate locations of potential rideshare partners along with their basic contact information.
Bicycle Program - Bicyclists are provided free registration and free use of hundreds of bicycle parking racks and air stations located throughout campus. Also, bicycle lockers are available for a nominal fee. Bicycle racks and lockers are continually added on campus as demand increases. Five free daily vehicle parking permits are provided to bicyclists for days that bicycling is not possible.
Circus–Circus Program – The University entered into an agreement with the Circus-Circus management to use 100 parking spaces in the Circus-Circus parking structures. Since campus members come and go at different times of day, and different days within the week, 150 free parking permits can be allocated for these structures.
Motorcycle Program – Since most motorcycle spaces are in areas that are too small or irregular for vehicles to park in, and because motorcycles use less space on campus, parking permit fees for motorcycles have remained low over the past seven years. New motorcycle spaces continue to be added on campus to accommodate the growing number of motorcyclists on campus.
College Park Program – The University entered into an agreement with College Park Apartments management to provide a shuttle service to the apartments so that up to 700 student residents can shuttle to campus and leave their vehicles behind.
Walking Program – Walking is an option for those who live close to campus. Sidewalks and pedestrian paths are located throughout the campus and city for pedestrians. Five free daily parking permits are provided to those who register at the parking office as a walker.
Alternate Fuels – The Parking and Transportation Department runs most of their campus shuttle buses on bio-diesel fuels which also assists in keeping the campus green.
Marketing Approach:
Large signs are also placed around the campus promoting alternate transportation OPTIONS.
The following summarizes the increases in the use of alternate modes of transportation over the years.
|
Fall 2001 |
Fall 2008 |
|
|
|
Bicycles |
200 |
470 |
Motorcycles |
138 |
270 |
Bus Passes |
0 |
553 |
Carpoolers |
0 |
228 |
Circus Circus |
0 |
113 |
College Park Apartments |
0 |
209 |
TOTAL |
338 |
1,843 |
The following summarizes the change in transportation patterns over the years.
Fall |
Drive Alone to Campus |
Use Alternate Modes of Transportation |
2001 |
58% |
42% |
2008 |
43% |
57% |
Future Initiatives –
This year, in addition to the current marketing approaches already in place, we will be actively participating in Earth Week, April 18-24, 2009 with a different alternate transportation focus each day of the week. Local vendors will be contacted to see if they can donate prizes to raffle off to those who register as new alternate transportation users. In addition, the student organization Flipside, will be involved in Earth Week as well and assisting in promoting the event to students.
We will participate in the Green Summit in 2009 by promoting the OPTIONS campaign.
We will promote the bicycle program during “Bike to Work Day” in May by hosting a table outside of the Union and handing out promotional items to encourage more riders.
Our future marketing incentives will include sending flyers to the sorority houses and fraternity houses in the Fall to encourage the walking program and the incentives associated with it.