Campus-Based Electric Vehicles (EVs)
The increasing call for sustainable-friendly vehicles on university campuses has paved the way for a diverse variety of electric vehicles (EVs) on the market, those which are ideal for security, grounds and maintenance, parcel delivery, cleaning and laundry, athletics, facilities maintenance, campus dining, and more. Narrow paths are not uncommon on campus grounds, and EVs are designed to safely navigate these spaces while also providing more safety for those on foot or riding bikes. These vehicles are equipped with a narrow body and reduced turning radius. Compared to the typical 21- to 26-foot radius of a pick-up truck, EVs instead offer a turning radius as concise as 14 feet. Controlled speed provides further protection for campus occupants.
That EVs promote a more sustainable ecosystem is central to the values of many students, as well. Going electric cuts fossil fuel use, which translates to less exhaust, heat, and noise. EVs are cost effective—driving on electricity is cheaper than using gas in all 50 states. And while the upfront cost of EVs might initially deter some buyers, universities can leverage funding from several sources—including federal and private funds—to absorb the upfront cost of EVs, which are defrayed by lower energy and operating costs over time. Because some EVs may need to charge for hours to reach full capacity, campus shuttles can charge at night in a campus garage, or even on their actual route. Cornell University, in its efforts to promote sustainability and LEED initiatives, encourages its students to embrace EV technology. In fact, several spaces within parking garages are reserved for EV and alternative fuel vehicle parking. Stalls are specially signed and painted, welcoming permit holders with cars that meet standards set by the Green Building Council.
As of 2024, on-campus EV charging has increased 35 percent from last year alone. This reflects a dramatic shift in the presence of EVs and demonstrates how universities are leading the way when it comes to supporting low- and zero-emission vehicles. The campus of MIT currently offers 21 EV charging spots, ranking among the most in the nation. Dickinson College, which enrolls approximately 2,300 students, is emblematic of how smaller institutions are also embracing EVs and related sustainability practices. The EV stations play a role in helping Dickinson reach its sustainability and carbon-neutrality goal, and the institution is consistently ranked among the top five in the Princeton Review’s list of Top Green Colleges.
It is well known that EVs can and do charge while driving. They do so with regenerative braking, which uses the vehicle’s momentum when coasting or decelerating to feed the battery by momentarily turning the traction motor into an alternator. While useful, this technique extends range by small amounts only. Companies around the world, however, are experimenting with new technology that can wireless charge EVs while they drive, thanks to copper coils buried beneath the asphalt. This could mean less time plugging into chargers, no need for heavy lithium-ion batters, and a goodbye to concerns about covering long-range distances. Higher education is a hub for innovation and sustainability. It is only a matter of time that we see such emergent technologies embraced on our campuses.
Campus Shuttle Programs: Maximizing Space and Safety Measures
At larger colleges, campus grounds may stretch across thousands of acres. Navigating them may prove challenging; and some areas are open for pedestrians only. Campus shuttle programs help solve this problem, allowing the entire campus community to travel by fixed routes and schedules. Campus shuttle programs reduce the need for personal vehicles and the demand for on-campus parking. When parking is insufficient, it proves not only time-consuming but needlessly taxing on the body. Simply imagine walking half a mile with a stack of textbooks in hot or cold weather. The majority of companies that provide shuttle services work closely with their clients to create flexible scheduling that satisfies the specific needs and requirements of every university campus.
It is worth considering, too, that one of the many benefits of reducing demand for parking facilities is that the freed space can be used to transform the university ecosystem into a much better environment for work, study, and fun. More efficient land usage can accommodate more students, bike lanes, tennis courts, perhaps sidewalk cafes for breaks between lectures. The possibilities for growth are exciting. Campus shuttle programs not only enhance mobility but are cost-effective. Purchasing vehicles to meet campus mobility needs are expensive, and maintenance and driver salaries must be considered. Instead of investing in their own fleet, universities can offer their students, faculty, and staff quality and reliable transportation for a fraction of what they would spend otherwise. Taking advantage of university shuttle services likewise cuts down on carbon emissions, fuel consumption, and environmental noise—supporting campus sustainability initiatives in the process.
While perhaps unobvious at first glance, the quality and accessibility of intra- and intercampus transportation have a considerable impact on the efficacy of the educational process. According to multiple studies, the number of students who drop out of school due to long and stressful commutes has risen over the past several years. Campus shuttle programs solve an array of different challenges associated with daily commuting. They provide a more flexible and efficient alternative to public transport, not least of all because they stick to a pre-set schedule, picking up and dropping students and university employees at specific stops, running between different campuses, residences, and dorms, and connecting the university with its surrounding community. Comfort is another plus with campus shuttle programs. Shuttles are equipped with desirable amenities such as wi-fi, air conditioning, and even televisions in some cases. Further, their accessibility to students or employees with mobility impairments is an essential benefit—an opportunity to promote institutional values of inclusivity and care.
Shuttles are central to the safety of students, as well. It is no secret, for instance, that many students keep odd hours. Whether they’re cramming all night at the library for an exam or waking up early to exercise, students roam campus as their schedules necessitate. This, of course, can become a safety issue. Key cards and student IDs provide some measure of security. Safety shuttles are the next line of defense, allowing students who need reliable and safe transportation, whether they’re picked up from the library in the middle of the night, attending an event at the student center, or even when they need a safe ride home from a weekend house party.
Creating a Microtransit Network
Some universities have reconsidered shuttle services in lieu of partnering with software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies. These companies allow universities to build their own on-demand ride-hailing service. The service includes an app-based interface, typically using the university’s existing shuttle fleet from a previous dial-a-ride student shuttle. Such partnerships create a microtransit network expressly designed for each individual campus. While the app is built by a third party and powered by the SaaS company’s proprietary technology, it is white-labeled for the university. This allows the school to name the service, brand it according to its own standards, and subsequently run it on its own terms. A partnership of this kind is appealing, as it creates the safety and control of a campus-run shuttle program, and universities can enjoy the convenience and efficiency of a third-party ride-share app.
While universities may adopt different strategies to ensure efficient and sustainable transportation—and most importantly, safety for all occupants—they all share the core value of providing students with peace of mind. Knowing that they’re in a safe and reliable environment allows students to flourish as learners, and more broadly, as individuals.