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Transportation accounts for 29% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest national contributing source. [1] The daily transportation and travel choices made by members of the University community and by visitors to campus affect Northwestern’s indirect (or Scope 3) carbon emissions.

ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵhas already begun to increase electric charging infrastructure and policies to support and incentivize sustainable transportation. To continue this momentum, the Transportation and Mobility Program Area focuses on how the University will encourage safe and equitable access to sustainable, low-carbon transportation alternatives for the ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵcommunity. Building on the University’s sustainable transportation strategy and actions to date, ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵwill strengthen the flexibility, accessibility, and benefits for existing alternative transportation modes by improving biking and pedestrian infrastructure such as bike racks, continually evaluating demand for electric charging infrastructure and other new and existing low-carbon modes of transit on campus and phasing in the electrification of the campus fleet.

Goals

• Northwestern’s goal is to reduce emissions associated with transportation and improve accessibility to campuses.

Actions in Progress

• on-track

  Improve biking and pedestrian infrastructure such as bike racks (both covered and uncovered) and showers and increase awareness of existing facilities.

• on-track

  Evaluate demand for electric charging infrastructure for commuters and increase as needed.

• on-track

  Establish a vehicle electrification phase-in schedule and resource strategy with Procurement and with Parking and Transportation, including campus fleets and shuttle operator, and encourage campus vendors to maximize use of electric vehicles in fleet.

• on-track

  Develop Sustainable Travel Guidelines to promote and encourage low-carbon alternatives.