While it might be nice to eliminate all vehicles from a campus, that option is often not feasible.  Meanwhile, there are a number of methods to both encourage responsible driving, and to investigate alternatives to conventionally-fueled vehicles.

Carpooling/Driving Services

Encouraging carpooling is an excellent way to reduce the number of cars going to and from campus each day. Some campuses have a website where commuters can find others to carpool with.  Other campuses have had success providing parking incentives for carpoolers. For non-commuters a ride-sharing board is often a great resource for students and faculty to find rides to parts of town, or even other cities over breaks. Other campuses have instituted driving services to shuttle students to malls, to their homes after dark, and airports. These programs all reduce the number of single person cars on the road. 

Fuel Alternatives

In order to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels a number of campuses are using more alternative vehicles. Some of these alternatives include: biodiesel, ethanol fuels, hybrids, natural gas, solar cars, and non-emission vehicles. Visit www.greencarcongress.com for more information on the following and other alternative fuels.

Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin component of vegetable oil is removed, leaving a fuel that can be used in diesel engines.  Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. It is relatively easy to make biodiesel, so many campuses are experimenting with production as a way to increase awareness on alternative fuels. For more facts and figures visit www.biodiesel.org.

Ethanol fuels are commonly known as E85, which describes the blend of ethanol and conventional gasoline that is used in alternative fueled vehicles. E85 can be used in the engines of certain car models without modification. For more information on these cars and E85 visit www.e85fuel.com.

Hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic are leading the way in fuel efficiency. Hybrid cars use both electric and gas car technology to get better gas mileage. Hybrid vehicles are becoming more and more popular as gas prices rise.  Beware that just because a vehicle is a called a hybrid does not mean it is getting better gas mileage. Hybrid cars can also be built so that the electric component provides more power and is not used to increase mileage. Compare the cars at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_sbs.shtml.

Solar cars are vehicles that use the sun’s energy to run their engines. Unfortunately, technology and design have not advanced enough to make this type of alternatively powered vehicle very practical for every day road use. However, solar panels can easily be used to charge the batteries in smaller electric vehicles on campuses such as maintenance trucks, athletic carts, and other short trip cars. For ideas and information visit http://www.sunvee.com/.

Non-emission vehicles are vehicles that produce zero greenhouse gas emissions. These vehicles can be powered by electricity or hydrogen fuel cells. These vehicles are also mostly in the development phase with current models practical for on-campus use, such as maintenance and security. To learn more visit the EPA’s Alternative Fuels Data Center at http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/altfuels.html.

Parking

Parking regulations are perhaps the best way to encourage car independence. By placing restrictions and heavy fees on parking permits, many individuals can be discouraged from driving or owning a car. Some examples of parking restrictions are: carpool only parking; “parking cash-outs” (basically paying employees not to drive); restrictions on student ownership (no first year cars); and some kick-backs for drivers of alternatively powered cars.

Campus Rentals or Car Sharing Services

Another way to discourage students from owning a car is to provide car rental or sharing services on campus. Some schools have fleets of vehicles that are lent or rented out to students on an as-needed basis. Other universities have contracts with car sharing businesses to provide services to campus.