Results of the 2013-2014 Campus Travel Survey

Popovich, Natalie · 2014 · ROSA P / National Center for Sustainable Transportation (NCST) (UTC)

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Summary

This report presents the findings of the 2013–2014 UC Davis Campus Travel Survey, the seventh administration of an annual study designed to assess sustainable commuting practices at the university. Motivated by the University of California’s Policy on Sustainable Practices, which mandates the measurement of Average Vehicle Ridership (AVR) and carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e) emissions, the survey aims to provide data for transportation demand management, policy evaluation, and the promotion of alternative transit modes. The study addresses the need for accurate, longitudinal data on mode choice, vehicle occupancy, and travel distances to support campus sustainability goals and infrastructure planning. The methodology involved an online survey administered in October 2013 to a stratified random sample of 27,798 students, faculty, and staff, drawn from a total population of 42,115. The survey utilized Lime Survey software and employed email recruitment with incentives to boost participation. A total of 4,025 individuals responded, with 3,663 completing the survey, yielding a 13.2% completion rate. To ensure statistical reliability, responses were weighted by role (e.g., freshman, faculty, staff) and gender to reflect the actual campus demographic distribution. The survey instrument retained key questions from previous years to allow for year-over-year comparison, focusing on primary travel modes, residential location, and awareness of transportation services. Key findings indicate that 88.3% of the community physically travels to campus on an average weekday. Bicycling remains the dominant mode, with 47% of travelers biking to campus, followed by bus (18%), driving alone (24%), walking or skating (5%), carpooling (5%), and train (1%). Compared to the 2012–13 survey, the share of bicyclists increased significantly by 2.9 percentage points, while bus ridership decreased by 2.4 percentage points. The official AVR for non-student employees living off-campus was 1.75, while the overall campus AVR was 3.80 when including on-campus residents. Daily CO2e emissions were estimated at 7.6 pounds per capita, totaling 318,175 pounds on an average weekday. The report also highlights high utilization of bicycle infrastructure, such as repair stations, and identifies significant potential for increased bicycling among those who consider it an option but do not currently bike. The significance of these results lies in their utility for tracking long-term trends in sustainable transportation and evaluating the effectiveness of campus policies. The increasing AVR and mode shift toward bicycling suggest progress in reducing reliance on single-occupancy vehicles, though the report notes that AVR for those living outside Davis remains low, indicating a need for better housing options or transit solutions for distant commuters. The data supports continued investment in bicycle infrastructure and transportation services, as evidenced by high awareness and usage of programs like bike repair stations. Furthermore, the detailed breakdown of emissions and mode shares provides a baseline for future sustainability targets and helps administrators understand barriers to alternative transportation, such as safety concerns or lack of infrastructure, thereby informing targeted interventions to further reduce the campus carbon footprint.

Key finding

Bicycling was the primary mode of transportation for 46.9 percent of commuters on an average weekday, representing a 2.9 percentage point increase from the previous year.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 3663

Provenance

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• incidence prevalence

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence