Transportation
NEW – COMMUTE ONTARIO – Carleton University has teamed up with Commute Ontario to offer faculty, staff and students with commuting programs that focus on healthy, active and sustainable transportation modes (i.e. walking, cycling, carpooling & taking transit).
In general, the transportation sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas production. However, Carleton University has a relatively small fleet of vehicles of which the majority is already electric thus considerably reducing emissions.
While not included in the first carbon audit done in 2009, as they were not within the scope that most institutions consider, emissions associated with travel to and from Carleton University are a significant source of greenhouse gases. While the Carleton fleet contributes little in the way of emissions, there exists an opportunity to improve the larger impact of emissions from commuters.
How can you… travel sustainably?
Rent a bike on campus
Sustainability at Carleton University is pleased to welcome the bike share program, VeloGo, onto campus. This program allows members and visitors of the Carleton community to borrow a bike from Carleton and travel around Ottawa in style.
The bikes are available with everything you should need to explore the areas around our campus and further into the Capital; a basket for your backpack, groceries or school books, a lock to safely secure it while you run your errands or stop for lunch along the canal and three-speed shifting for Ottawa’s urban terrain.
The bike Stations are located at the near to the front of Residence Commons, between the Ice House and Raven’s Nest. There are also hub locations (where bikes can be dropped off) at both Robertson Hall and Canal Building.
For more information on this exciting program visit https://gohopr.com/velogo/ or email sustainability@carleton.ca.
Ride my bike/walk/(skate in the Winter!) to work as often as possible
By biking or walking you can do your part to reduce the consumption and production of gasoline, which consists of a large part of the average Canadian’s carbon footprint. Biking is also a great low-impact exercise that makes your cardiovascular system and leg muscles stronger, leading to a healthier life.
What can you do?
- Fix your bike using the Fix-It station located near the Architecture building
- Rent a bike on campus, see above
Use public transportation as much as possible
Public transportation can cut down on the energy use and emissions caused by transportation, which is the one of the top three sources of pollution. Public transportation works best when people use it, and so as more people use the buses and trains that are available, our society’s collective carbon footprint can dramatically decrease.
Carpool as often as possible
Carpooling or car sharing takes motor vehicles off the road and can help keep your car in better condition. Cutting just 25 miles a week from your driving (which may just be 2 trips to and from campus) can save 1,500 pounds of carbon dioxide a year! And with the number of cars and trucks on the road is constantly increasing, sharing rides can help keep cars off the road and reduce the headache of traffic jams.
What can you do?
- To help find carpool partners coming from your home location to Carleton University register for ride matching within the City of Ottawa area at eRideShare.com or at OttawaRideShare.com. Membership is free.
Use video conferences rather than business trips whenever possible
The first step toward becoming a green traveler is to ask yourself, do I even need to travel at all? Is it possible, for example, to achieve your goals with a teleconference?
Combine errands to reduce my need to travel
By combining errands, you are using your vehicle more efficiently. This reduces the mileage and the related gas expense and decreases pollution.
What can you do?
- Before driving to run an errand, ask if it is within walking or biking distance
- Try to carpool with friends to run your errands together and catch up
- If you drive to and from campus, use one of the drives to run some errands and eliminate an extra trip
Take the Sustainability Pledge and commit personally to a more sustainable University.
Transportation News